The Rolling Stones: A Musical Biography

by Murry R. Nelson

Overview

This comprehensive book documents the nearly half-century-long story of The Rolling Stones—the group many regard as the most eminent rock band ever.

By 1964 the United States had been "invaded" by a number of British bands, led by the Beatles. The Rolling Stones were seen as more rebellious and rowdy than The Beatles—they were the "bad boys" as opposed to the "good boys"—and this reputation only served to enhance their popularity with their teenage fans. The Stones far outlasted the Beatles and all the other 60s-era British bands, however The Rolling Stones not only continued, but flourished, their tours drawing enormous crowds for decades.

The Rolling Stones: A Musical Biography chronicles the fascinating adventures of these Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees and sheds light on what has allowed these music legends to enjoy such lifelong popularity and success.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780313380341
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	07/01/2010
Series:	The Story of the Band
Pages:	159
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.30(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Murry R. Nelson is professor emeritus of education and American studies at Penn State University.

Chris Smith is editorial consultant for popular culture titles at Greenwood Press and teaches cultural criticism at the University of British Columbia.

Table of Contents

Series Foreword
Introduction
Acknowledgments
Timeline
Chapter 1 The Young Stones
Chapter 2 The British Invasion
Chapter 3 The Stones as a Number One Band, 1965–1967
Chapter 4 Battles with the Beatles, Drugs, and the Establishment
Chapter 5 The Stones Look to Top Themselves (Again): The Stones in the Early 1970s
Chapter 6 The Stones Reinvented: Ronnie Wood Is a Permanent Fixture, but Keith?
Chapter 7 Individual Efforts: Are the Stones Through?
Chapter 8 From Voodoo Lounge to Bridges to Babylon and Beyond
Chapter 9 No Security, 40 Licks, and A Bigger Bang: The Stones Won't Slow Down
Afterword: The Stones Still Looking Forward
Appendix: U.S. Albums, 1964–2009 (Stones as Band and Individual Stones)
Further Reading
Index

Editorial Reviews

Gr 10 Up—Although the l960s saw the birth of many British bands, the Rolling Stones is one of the few that has seen a 40-year success as a group. Nelson chronicles the lives of the band members and their works, decade by decade, in great detail. Readers will have to wade through the many musicians who came and left before the final group was deemed the best combination. Added to that are the hundreds of venues and endless recording sessions documented throughout the book, which contribute little to understanding the reasons for the group's continuing popularity. Brief background on the musicians' early education, their developing interest in music, and the historical context in which they lived will meet the expectations of readers wanting an introduction to the Rolling Stones. The detailed accounts of continual rifts among the band members, the financial woes, the drug arrests, and the womanizing read like the National Enquirer. The group definitely capitalized on their rowdiness and rebelliousness to keep their names in the press and to excite their audiences. A seven-page time line, a five-page list of albums, and a few grainy black-and-white photos complete the volume.—Peggy Fleming, formerly at Churchville-Chili High School, Churchville, NY

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