Mick Jagger
Mick Jagger
A supreme achiever to whom his colossal achievements seem to mean nothing . . . A supreme extrovert who prefers discretion . . . A supreme egotist who dislikes talking about himself . . . Philip Norman has long towered above other rock biographers with his definitive studies of the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Elton John, Buddy Holly, and John Lennon—legends whom the world thought it knew, but who came to life as never before through the meticulousness of Norman’s research, the sweep of his cultural knowledge, and the brilliance of his writing. Now Norman turns to a rock icon who is the most notorious yet enigmatic of them all. Throughout five decades of fronting the Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger has been seen as the ultimate arrog
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Under Their Thumb: How a Nice Boy from Brooklyn Got Mixed Up with the Rolling Stones (and Lived to Tell About It)
“German is party to all sort of Stones’ doings, many of which are enjoyable, quite a few of which are scandalous. Great rock ‘n’ roll Babylon stuff.”
- Booklist (Starred Review)
“The epic tale of an obsessive teenager who launched a Rolling Stones fanzine and spent the next two decades capturing the band’s whirlwind metamorphosis from behind the scenes….First-rate, firsthand account of the world’s greatest rock ’n’ roll band, and a disenchanted chronicle of its increasingly crass commercialization.”
- Kirkus Reviews
As a teenager, Bill German knew exactly what he wanted to do with his life: chronicle the career and adventures of his favorite rock band, the Rolling Stones. And in 1978, on his sixteenth birthday
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A pretty good bio on the Stones, focusing on Mick.,
But the author has some favs among the bunch, as I guess all writers do. He constantly denigrates Brian Jones, and puts Marianne Faithfull on a pedestal. She must have helped him with the book, as he clearly worships her and believes everything she says, while he basically says Keith made stuff up in his book. Maybe so, but I think all autobiographies are suspect.(This book of Norman’s also has Eric Clapton married to someone named “Pamela” who was meant to be a suitable friend for Mick’s girl, Marianne. Clapton had no such wife-I don’t think he meant to say Pattie (Boyd) due to the time frame, still late sixties, so this is just an error.) Writer also cannot type the name Graham Parsons with referencing the late musician’s “beauty”- a man crush perhaps.
The author does tend to build Mick up whenever possible, and also, to issue digs at the Beatles with surprising regularity. He also tends to “debunk” all stories regarding the band and/or Mick over the years, without giving any more than his say so that it didn’t really happen that way, especially with regards to Altamont.
The book is also repetitious at times, as though the reader cannot remember something he wrote a few chapters back , so he details it again. Maybe he was being paid by the word.
I really did not uncover anything new in this book; he rehashes the same stories, the drug busts, the infamous Mars bar (over which he giggles and snorts repeatedly) the urinating scandal, as well as a claim that Bianca, too, relieved herself in a gutter during the filming of an aborted movie. Lots of references of who slept with who, allegedly. The saga of Marsha Hunt’s baby with Mick, taking the side of Marsha Hunt in this case. Mick’s obsession with order, discipline and money, nothing new there, save the little surprise that it never occurred to economic- minded Mick that taxes might have to be paid on rock and roll income. I also find it hard to believe that Eric Clapton actually auditioned and was turned down for the spot in the band vacated by Mick Taylor, due to Clapton’s loathing of being in a band, and his own status at the time.
All in all, it is an okay book if you are not already full-versed on the history of the Stones. But even though this author repeatedly disparages it, Keith’s book “Life” was far more entertaining.
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|Excellent Bio on one of Rock’s True Legends,
I picked this up because I was impressed with Philip Norman’s earlier book on John Lennon. I could not disagree more with the previous reviewer who found so many faults here. It also is not a “bio on the Stones, focusing on Mick.” It is a biography of Mick Jagger. It may be that, in fact, we read different books.
If you are well-versed in the life story of Michael Philip jagger, then obviously most of the information here is not ‘new’ in any sense. I agree that Keith Richards’ autobiography is more fun to read, as it captures his voice. With the caveat that he tells his tale as he remembers it and at times his story varies from other accounts. But biography and autobiography are two distinct categories.
I didn’t get the sense that Norman knocked the Beatles in any way during the course of detailing Mick’s life. He shows how highly Mick thought of John Lennon, in particular. I do think he does an excellent job of giving Mick’s less publicized benevolence a fair hearing, along with his less charitable moments.
Since Marianne Faithfull does not paint herself in a flattering light but is, at times, brutally honest in her own book (sited here) I simply don’t understand this criticism. Also, Brian Jones is not ‘constantly denigrated.’ Rather his incredible musical talents are highlighted and his seminal role in creating and promoting the band is detailed. His sad and very rapid decline into drugs and paranoia is portrayed with sympathy, especially in Mick’s dealings with him
The biggest reveal here is that the decadent ‘Lizard King’ style rock god was always a role that Jagger played for commercial effect, not in any way a reflection of his real personality, intellect and interests. As for the former London School of Economics student being unaware that taxes were levied on his rock and roll income, Norman makes it clear that the entire band was being misled by their management about their finances.
As for ‘the nothing new here’ claim. It simply isn’t true. An example: the real story behind the infamous Redlands drug bust is revealed for the first time, along with the identity of ‘Acid King David.’ For the details you must read the book. However, here’s a connection that Norman didn’t make: ‘Acid King David’ eventually marries Lotus Weinstock, the last girlfriend of Lenny Bruce.
The only real criticism that one can level is that the first half of Jagger’s life is given so much detail and the second half considerably less so. Though I would also make the case that the first half of Jagger’s life deserves more attention. Still, for a one volume bio on its subject, this book is the one to get. Of some note is that the author’s first interview with Jagger took place back in 1965.
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|Norman Helps Us Sort Fact from Fiction and Gives Us Details that are Omitted from Other Published Works on Jagger,
When Michael Philip Jagger made his entrance into the world in Dartford, England, in 1943, his parents, Joe and Eva Jagger, surely had no idea of the magnitude of fame, notoriety and wealth their little boy would one day possess. By the time the rest of us became acquainted with Mick, however, there were definite signs of things to come.
In MICK JAGGER, Philip Norman begins with a bit of background on Mick, then known as Mike, his childhood, his parents and brother, and his early friendship with fellow Rolling Stone Keith Richards. We follow him to the London School of Economics where he likely gained the financial acumen that has allowed him to accumulate and manage the vast fortune he possesses today and to ensure the financial success of The Rolling Stones.
We soon catapult into the days preceding the runaway fame of The Rolling Stones and follow Mick through the ups and downs that have made up his life. The expulsion of Brian Jones from the band and the mystery of his subsequent death, the drug busts and raids, the competition with the Beatles, and Mick’s exodus from England to France for tax purposes are fodder for our perusal in MICK JAGGER.
We also get the inside scoop on some of Mick’s many relationship with women. Chrissie Shrimpton, Marianne Faithfull, Marsha Hunt, Bianca Jagger and Jerry Hall have all figured significantly in his life, and here we learn more about the unique mechanics of each relationship. The gratuitous sex with an ever-changing cast of characters that is part of Mick’s bad boy persona and a detriment to maintaining serious relationships are also investigated.
Most fascinating of all are the frequent glimpses into what makes a man like Mick tick. The things that drive, motivate and excite him are all explored in a way that gives us a well-rounded picture of the intriguing man who is revered by some and reviled by others.
Of course, no biography would be complete without an examination of the deep and tumultuous relationship between “The Glimmer Twins,” Mick and Keith. While the friendship has taken several hits throughout the years, the strange bond the two have had survived mostly intact and makes for interesting reading.
Last, but not least, the stories behind the songs, facts regarding controversial concerts like Hyde Park and Altamont, tales from Mick’s big screen appearances, and details about his relationship with his manager from the early days, Andrew Loog Oldham, are included in this highly detailed portrait.
Author Philip Norman helps us sort fact from fiction and tells us when the two merge to create the larger-than-life persona of Mick Jagger. We find details here that are omitted from other published works on Mick, and we eat them up with the eagerness of starving natives. No matter how much we may protest, the truth is that we can’t get enough of Mick Jagger, the man other men want to be and, God knows, millions of women want to be with.
Reviewed by Amie Taylor
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|Bill German gets his Ya-Yas out,
The Rolling Stones are one of the most studied and documented rock-n-roll bands in the world, second only to the Beatles. So I was a bit skeptical when I saw Bill German’s book, wondering if there was anything left to write about Mick an’ the Boys that hasn’t already seen the light of day.
In truth, there are no earth-shaking revelations in German’s book — and that’s just fine. Rolling Stones fans will still enjoy this fine account of a young super fan who — through hard work and dedication — found himself on the fringes of the Stones’ inner circle — close enough to smell the sulfur (literally, in one case).
And that’s where the considerable charm in this book lies: Long-held beliefs about the Stones are confirmed: Mick is “a great bunch of guys.” Keith is the cooly unflappable older brother we all wish we had. Ronnie seriously needs ADD medication, Bill is courtly and slightly above it all and Charlie is painfully introverted. And, as Ian Stuart points out to German, they’re all at least a little bit crazy due to the insane lives they lead.
Serious Stones fans won’t find much here about the creative process or inner workings of the band itself. But they will catch of glimpse of what life is like at the eye of the 40-year old storm that is the Rolling Stones. Ultimately, this book is Bill German’s story — but it’s a great addition to any collection of works on the Rollilng Stones and adds a nice piece to the puzzle that is the world’s greatest Rock-n-Roll band.
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|Under Their Thumb Gives The Finger…To Mick,
Bill German’s book is a fascinating read, and not just because it’s about one of my favorite all-time bands — the Stones. It’s also a great insider’s view to the music industry in general and — perhaps inadvertently — into the life of an obsessive fan.
German began writing the Beggars Banquet when he was just a teenager; the Stones are so impressed with the ‘zine that they allow him to hang out with them and gain rarefied access to their concerts and their life. The personalities become well-defined: both Ron Woods (Woody) and Keith Richards are surprisingly down-to-earth guys with solid marriages despite their zany lifestyles. Charlie Watts is an extreme brooding introvert who would rather not be bothered by anyone. And Mick? He’s portrayed as a mercurial personality who is jokingly referred to as “he’s a bunch of nice guys” because no one is ever sure which Mick will show up.
The business of rock and roll is unveiled in all its darkness; obscenely lucrative, merchandise-oriented tours where the original supporters are ousted and big business takes over…so much so that the Stones themselves don’t have tickets to give to their own wives, let alone fans. Mick is the one politicking for these big tours, where each song is sung just the way it was recorded and no surprises or mishaps are allowed. One of the more humorous scenes is when Donald Trump “buys” the Stones for a weekend and fills his front seats with leading clients, most of whom are blue-haired and race out after the first few chords.
The insider information is priceless, but in the end, it is Bill German who is unveiled and the book REALLY becomes what it’s like to be an obsessive fan. German earns less than $20K a year, lives in a roach-infested tiny apartment, foregoes dating and sex, and lives “under the thumb” of the Stones, who change plans on him at a whim. He is horrified when he discovers that the ‘zine he lovingly puts out is viewed by many fans as — gasp — a way to access the Stones, not as a way to revere Bill’s research and writing. He defines himself as — and strives to be — a serious journalist, but can’t understand why he is not taken seriously when he covers just ONE topic (at one point, he seriously compares his “beat” to covering ONLY the White House!)
In short, it’s written by a man who loses perspective and who can’t imagine a life away from the Stones…and who believes that being a Stones groupie is one of the most important things in the world. That may not be the book German set out to write, but it is the one he DID write. And that’s the most revealing part of all — and well worth the read.
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|A MUST READ FOR STONES FANS!,
I purchased this book the day it came out. From the moment I picked it up to read, I couldn’t put it down until I finished it.
I was nervous that Bill German might tell stories that would scar my fantasies about what the Stones were really like. But I have to say, he wrote the whole book in a very tasteful and classy way. He did not bash the Stones, and always looked for reasons people could have possibly been in a bad mood when certain incidents happened.
I will say it’s obvious that he adores Keith and Ronnie. And I’m so happy for him that he was able to become so close with them. Mick is a different story. Any Stones fan realizes though that Mick can be difficult at times, and Keith is the laid back, easy going one.
I truly hope if you are a Stones fan, you will purchase this book. Not only is it a great book, but you’ll love Bill German. You want this book to succeed for his sake.
AGAIN, I WILL RESTATE: THIS IS A MUST READ BOOK FOR STONES FANS! YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.
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