Rating: 
Summary: Must Have for Stones Fans
Review: A fascinating history of the Stones by someone who should know. Surprisingly well written, clear-eyed and honest. But, like the Stones' music, great through the early 70's and then increasingly unimaginitive, repetitive and irrelevant. Still a must have history of the greatest rock band.
Rating:
Summary: Must Have for Stones Fans
Review: A fascinating history of the Stones by someone who should know. Surprisingly well written, clear-eyed and honest. But, like the Stones' music, great through the early 70's and then increasingly unimaginitive, repetitive and irrelevant. Still a must have history of the greatest rock band.
Rating: 
Summary: From "a bunch of right 'erberts" to the greatest band ever
Review: Are the Stones still playing catch-up to the Beatles, with this massive memorabilia album? One might think so, as this is very similar in layout and heft to the Beatles' _Anthology_. But the truth is that the Rolling Stones richly deserve a coffee table treatment like this--which isn't even the first such one. After the Beatles broke up, the Stones broke out, and never worried about trying to be the anti-Beatles ever again. The story ex-Stone Bill Wyman tells here fully justifies the oversized treatment. And it only goes up to his departure from the band, in 1993!His own personal life is mentioned here and there. First wife Diane Cory is a good woman but not the stuff rock star wives are made of. Marrying teenager Mandy quickly turns out to have been a big mistake. He finally finds domestic happiness in the Nineties, with Suzanne Acosta and the three daughters they have. The layout is chronological, with tour dates, set lists, album tracks, and etc. Along the way are a lot of musical memories: seeing Hendrix as that phenomenal performer first exploded onto the London scene, having Lennon and McCartney pen a single for the Stones early in their career, T-Rex guitarist Mark Bolan kissing Mick on the mouth. And there are all the familiar tales of the band's rise to success to excess to the very top of the rock firmament. The book is sprinkled with fun quotes, too, like this one from artist Peter Blake in 1963: "By the year 2000, the Rolling Stones will seem to have been as cuddly as teddy bears." It's a lot of fun to read this account by the quiet Stone, about the band that will Not Fade Away.
Rating: 
Summary: It can't be told better than this
Review: As an admitted stones freak, I am prejudiced, but this book has set a new standard for behind the scenes tell alls about the music industry. Until now, I though "up and down with the rolling stones" was impossible to top (of about 30 books on the stones or their members that I have read) but this is really on a whole other level. If you read Bill's first book "Stone Alone" you will be shocked at how much better this book is. Literally every important detail from 1962 to 1993 is covered. The pictures are equally incredible. When you see a book has a list price of $50 the first instinct is to not buy it!, but in this case its a bargain. Over 500 incredible pages...if you can put it down before finishing it you are a better man than I.
Rating:
Summary: The Beatles Anthology of the Rolling Stones
Review: As evidenced by the other reviews, it is clear that this book will appeal to hard core Stones fans. The prospect of Wyman opening his treasure chest of memorabilia was touted for years when he was an active member of the band. The results are a mixed bag. There are certainly some interesting and new photos, information and anecdotes that cannot be found in other Stones books, but the overall writing style is dreadful. What Richard Havers contributed to this I have no idea, but it clearly was not elegant prose. The narrative demonstrates without doubt that Wyman was the most boring member of the group. Check the rivetting anecdote of how he skipped the visit to the Playboy Mansion. The sheer inanity of some of the diary extracts from Bill's touring days have to be seen to be believed. He appears more interested in recording the travel details of the Stones and their entourage (both during tours and between tours) and recalling the visitors to his house, than spilling any juicy gossip or new stories from the inside about the band members. Maybe this is out of deference for his former mates, but I had expected a good deal more scoop, scandal and gritty detail about the Satanic Majesties from the man on the inside. About the only shocking revelation here is how pitiful the Stones were about looking after their finances and how Allen Klein plundered their profits with impunity. No wonder Jagger takes such a keen interest in the finances now. He paid a huge amount for his business education!!! The photographic spreads and comprehensive content insure that this will become a recommended purchase for fans of the band. In defence of Wyman, I would be writing in a fairly boring style too if I had spent 20 years (out of however many years he was in the band) waiting around for various band members to turn up to recording sessions or other meetings. The greatest surprise is that they ever achieved anything at all after Richards got on heroin. On balance the book is worth the investment. But just look at the pictures, don't read the text.
Rating:
Summary: Not the Greatest Rock and Roll Writer Ever
Review: As evidenced by the other reviews, it is clear that this book will appeal to hard core Stones fans. The prospect of Wyman opening his treasure chest of memorabilia was touted for years when he was an active member of the band. The results are a mixed bag. There are certainly some interesting and new photos, information and anecdotes that cannot be found in other Stones books, but the overall writing style is dreadful. What Richard Havers contributed to this I have no idea, but it clearly was not elegant prose. The narrative demonstrates without doubt that Wyman was the most boring member of the group. Check the rivetting anecdote of how he skipped the visit to the Playboy Mansion. The sheer inanity of some of the diary extracts from Bill's touring days have to be seen to be believed. He appears more interested in recording the travel details of the Stones and their entourage (both during tours and between tours) and recalling the visitors to his house, than spilling any juicy gossip or new stories from the inside about the band members. Maybe this is out of deference for his former mates, but I had expected a good deal more scoop, scandal and gritty detail about the Satanic Majesties from the man on the inside. About the only shocking revelation here is how pitiful the Stones were about looking after their finances and how Allen Klein plundered their profits with impunity. No wonder Jagger takes such a keen interest in the finances now. He paid a huge amount for his business education!!! The photographic spreads and comprehensive content insure that this will become a recommended purchase for fans of the band. In defence of Wyman, I would be writing in a fairly boring style too if I had spent 20 years (out of however many years he was in the band) waiting around for various band members to turn up to recording sessions or other meetings. The greatest surprise is that they ever achieved anything at all after Richards got on heroin. On balance the book is worth the investment. But just look at the pictures, don't read the text.
Rating:
Summary: The Beatles Anthology of the Rolling Stones
Review: Bill Wyman and Richard Havers did an exelent job describing the legand of the Rolling Stones. This book contains exelent photos and detaliled information about the Rolling Stones, as does the Beatles Anthology. The ultimite guide to the Rolling Stones and the life of Bill Wyman with the Stones. Also recomended: the Beatles Anthology.
Rating:
Summary: Setting a new Standard
Review: Having read over 30 books about the group or its members, I always felt that "up and down with the rolling stones" could never be topped, but this book is on a whole other level. The entire story is told from 1962 until 1993, with every important story (or myth) covered in incredible detail. When a book is priced at [$](list) the first instinct is to buy another book..but in this case its a bargain. 500 amazing pages, equally great photographs,,,,if you can even put it down without finishing it you are a better man than I!
Rating:
Summary: Great book!!
Review: I highly recommend this book to every music fan. Contains old journal entries, rare pictures, and memorabilia, this book takes you back in time when the Stones were really rolling.
Rating:
Summary: Great Coffee Table Book on the Stones!
Review: I was interested when I found out Bill Wyman was doing another book on the history of the "Greatest Rock And Roll Band in the World." His first book "Stone Alone" is one the better books I have read on the history of the band. Unfortunately that book ends at the start of the 1970s. Wyman's new book "Rolling with the Stones" follows the exploits of the band through his entire tenure with the band. Fanatics will enjoy the many pictures of memorabilia from Wyman's own collection. There are a number of rare photographs including some from when the band members were only kids. Other interesting items include many magazine covers and articles, tour posters, and pictures of rare import single sleeves. Album and single releases include track listings, chart positions and information about the original versions of songs the Stones covered. A general set list of songs played on each tour is included as well as list of tour dates and opening acts for each tour. Wyman makes the book a good read by spicing the book with quotes and stories from fans, friends, family, other fellow musicians and the Stones themselves. Many of the quotes and stories pertain to the memorabilia and photos included in the book. Another great aspect of the book is that since Bill Wyman was involved that book does not focus almost entirely on Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Brian Jones. The pictures are divided up more evenly among the band members including Ian Stewart. The book is essential to anyone with more than just a passing interest in the Rolling Stones. It was well worth the price especially since I got it on sale.
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