50 Licks Page 28

  When you’re that close to a band that great, it’s impossible to take it all in. From the nosebleeds, you can clearly see the sum of all the parts; when you’re ten feet away, the energy level is so high that you have to focus on a single musician at a time. But you can also watch what goes on between the musicians: the synergy, the interactions, the finger-pointing, the glances; the push and pull that keeps the show together. That is a thrill in itself.

  Two hours after they hit the stage, after red-hot renditions of “Start Me Up,” “Brown Sugar,” and “Satisfaction,” it was all over. The concert was finished, and the cameras were off. Alex and I slowly made our way home, neither one of us quite believing what had just happened. The next morning, there was no sleeping in. My brother had to catch a bus back to Binghamton to take a test—in rock ’n’ roll history.

  I told my dad that I never have to see the Stones again; the Beacon concert was one of the greatest experiences of my life, and it was worth all the pre-show anxiety and post-show exhaustion. It took me a week to get back into a normal state, both mentally and physically.

  The big payoff is that I’m in the film! I distinctly remember where I was standing and what I was wearing, and can be clearly seen during “Brown Sugar.” Not only that, but the album that was released, and actually all of the concert footage in the film, was recorded during the second night. What you have on the album is 99 percent of the concert I went to, with no overdubs and minimal editing. Both the film and the album are treasured keepsakes of an extraordinary, unforgettable experience.

  EPILOGUE

  MEMORY MOTEL

  I AM WRITING THESE WORDS on Sunday, March 25, 2012, at 5:05 P.M. in the barroom of the Memory Motel in Montauk, Long Island (the place immortalized on one of the best songs from Black and Blue). I came here seeking inspiration for some final thoughts and wisdom to share with you about the fifty-year odyssey of the Rolling Stones.

  Montauk has its annual St. Patrick’s Day parade on the last Sunday in March, and the post-parade party is in full swing. The place is packed wall-to-wall with inebriated young people clad in every shade of green and the music blaring from multiple speakers is SO loud and SO un-Stones-like that I think I might have wasted a trip out here.

  Then out of the corner of my eye in a hidden corner of the bar, I glimpse a wall seemingly festooned with Stones memorabilia. I inch my way toward that oasis, and sure enough there is a treasure trove of photos, newspaper articles, album covers, gold records, and, the pièce de résistance, a large framed print of the tongue logo autographed by Mick, Keith, and Ronnie. Here they are! These are the memories at the Memory Motel! The tangible ones, anyway. The mental ones are left to the imagination: the music created, the songs heard, the love made, are all in the eye and/or mind of the beholder.

  Paul Simon once famously wrote, “Preserve your memories. They’re all that’s left you.” Recordable media have raised the level of preserving memories to an art form in and of itself. All manner of books, films, albums, CDs, videos, and websites have chronicled almost every minute of the Stones’ existence. I suppose these accounts (including this one, I hope) will be around for at least the next fifty years to answer any lingering questions about the twentieth/twenty-first century musical group called the Rolling Stones.

  And, perhaps the biggest question of them all will be: Will the Stones still matter on their one hundredth anniversary in July of 2062? My answer is, “Unequivocally yes!” As long as there are humans on earth who are still interested in music, then so too will there be great curiosity about the Rolling Stones.

  Fifty years ago, rock ’n’ roll was still in its infancy. The ’60s had barely begun. The Beatles were toiling away in relative obscurity. Dylan was still “Hammond’s Folly” at Columbia Records. Bruce Springsteen was twelve years old! John F. Kennedy was the president of the United States. Television was still black and white. And Elvis was just out of the army making G.I. Blues in Hollywood instead of barnstorming the country state by state proclaiming, “Have you heard the news? There’s good rockin’ tonight!”

  This was the pop cultural cauldron in which the Stones began to brew.

  I’m astonished how quickly the 1963 headline WOULD YOU LET YOUR SISTER GO WITH A ROLLING STONE? turned into WOULD YOU LET YOUR GRANNY GO WITH A ROLLING STONE?

  So let me wrap this up with some predictions and speculation about what is yet to come.

  The Stones have set the standards and raised the bar at every level of their evolution. They will certainly not go out with a whimper. One final stab at proving to the world—and maybe even proving to themselves—that they were, still are, and always will be the Greatest Rock ’n’ Roll Band in the World!

  Totally in character, they will ignore the actual date of their own fiftieth anniversary. They will let the media nerds and fans (including you and me) do the celebrating for them. Then, when they are ready, they will seriously begin to put together that Farewell Tour (probably in 2013—the year in which both Mick and Keith will turn seventy years of age). They will invite Bill Wyman to join them—and he will. They will invite Mick Taylor to join them—and, of course, you know he will. They will hit the road and take this show to every corner of the earth, but particularly to the USA, where rock ’n’ roll was born, and where the Rolling Stones have lived and reigned for most of their fifty years.

  We started this book with July 12, 1962. To bring things full circle, let’s give the final words to Keith Richards:

  KEITH RICHARDS: I mean, for me, the beginning of the ’60s was when I got to be eighteen and nineteen, so in a way, it was a magical time, because I actually managed to turn my little juvenile fantasies into a way of life. I mean, I never dreamt that I would be able to do it, so it was magical in that sense, in that I’m still here playin’ rock ’n’ roll, and makin’ a livin’ at it, which is what I wanted to do. And I thought that would be impossible—that that was something that happened to stars. Even when we got our first record out, we all looked at each other with a little bit of dismay, you know? Because there was no precedent at that time; nobody lasted. You shot up there, and you were gone. There was no possible way you could believe that it was gonna last for anything more than another two years. So for us, it was like, “Oh, man, this is great, makin’ records—but that means it’s the beginning of the end,” you know?

  I, for one, prefer to think that then (and even now!) it was just the end of the beginning.

  The author at the Memory Motel in 2012

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  Without the aid of my father, these are going to be tough to write without forgetting a lot of people. Apologies in advance but here goes.

  Thanks most to Ben Adams. It’s his book; we work for him. Thanks also to Mitch Corbett. This is the payoff for a life misspent in pursuit of all things Rolling Stones.

  Thanks also to those who’ve helped us write and shape this book, especially Matt Blankman, Jeremy Rainer, and Chris Wertz.

  To Cheryl Ceretti, Professor Victor Coelho, Paul Goldman, Dave Herman, Fred Mullen, and Diane Snow, for sharing your resources.

  To Susan Van Metre, who has been a rock through all this.

  Nate Knaebel and George Gibson from Bloomsbury have both gone above and beyond in their efforts to help with this book. Frank Scatoni has provided invaluable help and support.

  Without the help of Giro DiBiase, Tim Kelly, Ira Korman, Laurie McGaw, and especially Larry Marion, the visuals in this book wouldn’t be nearly as cool. Thanks also to our friends Ron and Howard Mandelbaum of Photofest.

  Jon Wilde and Harvey Kubernik were both gracious in allowing us to “borrow” their work.

  To Kevin Goldman, for being a friend.

  To Paul Simpson, ever a clutch performer.

  Others to thank: Bill Ayres, Tom Bensen, Patty Bernstein, the family of Sid Bernstein, Rob Bowman, Crissy Boylan, John DeChristopher, Tommi Degerman, Phil Doherty, Geoff Dorsett, Geoff Edgers, Brian Fadden, John Ferguson, Phil Fiumano, Jeffrey Foskett, Mark Gompertz,
Sarah Karos, Paul Kurland, Annie Lawlor, Andrew Leach, Brian McCarthy, Drew Marrochello, Leigh Montville, Brittany Morrongiello, Brian Netto, Archie Patterson, Neil Porter, Sandi Smith, Katherine Somova, Don Thiergard, Tony Traguardo, Richie Unterberger, Lissa Warren, Cristina Zizza, and Kathy Zuckerman.

  CAST OF CHARACTERS

  Keith Altham is an English rock journalist, publicist, and author.

  Billy Altman is a rock critic and friend of the family.

  Marty Balin was one of the lead singers for Jefferson Airplane.

  Sonny Barger is a founding member of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club.

  Sid Bernstein promoted both the Beatles and the Stones on their first tours of America.

  Steve Binder was a renowned director who worked on both the T.A.M.I. Show and Elvis Presley’s ’68 Comeback Special.

  Bob Bonis was the Stones tour manager on their first tours of the US and was also an excellent amateur photographer. Many of his photos appear throughout this book. You can see more of his work in the books The Lost Beatles Photographs and The Lost Rolling Stones Photographs.

  Craig Braun worked with Andy Warhol in the ’60s and is best known for his work helping to design the Sticky Fingers jacket.

  Larry Cancro works for the Boston Red Sox as senior vice president of Fenway affairs.

  Marshall Chess is the son and nephew of the founders of Chess Records. He was also the first president of Rolling Stones Records.

  Eric Clapton is a rock ’n’ roll guitar god.

  Alan Clayson is the frontman for Clayson and the Argonauts and the author of many rock books.

  Merry Clayton is an accomplished American singer best known to Stones’ fans for singing on “Gimme Shelter.”

  Sam Cutler, author of You Can’t Always Get What You Want: My Life with the Rolling Stones, the Grateful Dead, and Other Wonderful Reprobates, is most famous for being the Rolling Stones’ tour manager in 1969.

  Joe D’Allesandro is an American actor and Warhol superstar, immortalized as “Little Joe” in Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side.”

  Stephen Davis is an American music journalist.

  Norman Dayron was a producer for Chess Records.

  Anthony DeCurtis is an American author and rock critic.

  Marianne Faithfull is an English singer and actress.

  Mick Farren is an English journalist, author, and rock ’n’ roll singer.

  Robert Frank is a renowned photographer and filmmaker.

  Bill German is the rock historian who ran the Beggars Banquet fanzine and authored the book Under Their Thumb.

  Gary Pig Gold is a Canadian singer-songwriter, record producer, filmmaker, journalist, and author.

  Bobby Goldsboro is an American musician who appeared with the Stones on their first US tour.

  Bill Graham was a famous (and feared) rock promoter and impresario.

  Robert Greenfield is an American journalist and author.

  Peter Guralnick is an American author and music critic.

  Buddy Guy is an acclaimed Chicago blues guitarist and friend to the Rolling Stones.

  Taylor Hackford is an American director who worked with Keith Richards on Hail! Hail! Rock ’n’ Roll.

  George Harrison was the Beatles’ secret weapon.

  Dave Herman worked with my father for many years at WNEW-FM and K-ROCK. Several of the interviews that appear in this book were done by him.

  Barney Hoskyns is an English rock critic and author and the editor of the website Rock’s Back Pages (www.rocksbackpages.com).

  Dartford-born Rick Huxley was the bassist for the Dave Clark Five.

  Chrissie Hynde is the singer/songwriter/guitarist and all around frontwoman for the Pretenders.

  Mick Jagger needs no introduction.

  Andy Johns is an English record engineer and producer who worked extensively with the Stones and other rock luminaries.

  That description also fits his elder brother, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Glyn Johns.

  Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Johnnie Johnson is a pianist best known for his work with Chuck Berry.

  Darryl Jones is a Chicago-born guitarist who has played bass with the Stones since 1993.

  Aki Kanamori is a Rolling Stones fan who attended Altamont.

  Phil Kaufman was a rock ’n’ roll road manager and friend of Gram Parsons.

  Saxophonist Bobby Keys, who shares a birthday with Keith Richards, met the Stones on their first tour of the States and has played with them on and off ever since.

  Engineer and producer Chris Kimsey worked with the Stones from Sticky Fingers through the Steel Wheels tour.

  Al Kooper should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

  South African–born Eddie Kramer was an engineer and producer who worked with the Stones, the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and Jimi Hendrix, among others.

  John Landis is an American director and screenwriter.

  Don Law’s company, Tea Party Productions, promoted the Stones’ Boston appearance on the 1972 tour.

  Chuck Leavell is an American keyboardist who has played with Eric Clapton, the Allman Brothers, and, of course, the Rolling Stones.

  Sometime Rolling Stones foil John Lennon was a member of the Beatles and remains one of the most important and influential musicians ever.

  Michael Lindsay-Hogg is a filmmaker who has worked with the Stones many times, including on The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus.

  Paul McCartney was a member of the Beatles and is one of the most famous singers and songwriters of all time.

  Ray Manzarek was the keyboardist for the Doors.

  Mike Martinek is a Stones fan who attended the 1972 tour show in Boston on July 18.

  John Mayall has been a blues musician for more than half a century. He founded John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers.

  Joyce Maynard is an American journalist and author.

  Albert Maysles is a documentary filmmaker.

  Producer Jimmy Miller was the architect behind one of the most successful periods in Stones history.

  Steve Morse is an American rock journalist.

  Andrew Mosker is a Canadian musicologist and the world’s foremost expert on the Rolling Stones’ Mighty Mobile Unit.

  Scott Muni was one of the great rock ’n’ roll deejays of all time.

  Steve Nazro is the director of events at Boston Garden.

  Andrew Loog Oldham was a co-manager and producer of the Rolling Stones from 1963 to 1967.

  Anita Pallenberg is an actress and model who was Keith Richards’ partner from 1967 to 1979.

  John Pasche is an art designer who designed the famous tongue logo.

  Greg Perloff’s company is Another Planet Entertainment; he was the tour coordinator on the ’81 tour.

  Laurence Randall is the director of programming for the National Football League.

  Keith Richards is the illegitimate son of Chuck Berry and Jimmy Reed.

  Peter Rudge is a rock ’n’ roll tour manager who worked with the Stones from 1972 to 1977.

  Kurt Schwarz is a Rolling Stones fan who blogs at www.reallifehusband.com.

  Martin Scorsese is a legendary filmmaker.

  Gloria Stavers, one of the first female rock journalists, was the editor in chief of 16 magazine throughout the 1960s.

  Ian Stewart was a founding member of the Rolling Stones.

  Sugar Blue is an American blues musician best known for playing the harmonica on “Miss You.”

  Ed Sullivan hosted a wildly popular variety show from 1948 to 1971.

  Blues legend Hubert Sumlin played guitar for Howlin’ Wolf.

  Dick Taylor was the original bassist for the Rolling Stones, he later went on to found the Pretty Things.

  Mick Taylor was the lead guitarist of the Rolling Stones from 1969 to 1974.

  Dean Torrence, of the surf rock duo Jan and Dean, co-hosted the T.A.M.I. Show.

  Irma Thomas is an American blues and soul singer who sang the original version of “Time Is on My Side.”

  Roast-meiste
r Pete Townshend moonlights as the guitarist for the Who.

  Kenny Vance was an original member of Jay and the Americans.

  Klaus Voorman is a German-born artist and musician, most famous for his work with the Beatles.

  Don Was is an American musician and producer who has worked with the Stones since Voodoo Lounge.

  Charlie Watts is the greatest drummer in rock ’n’ roll history.

  Chris Welch is an English music journalist.

  Mike White is a film critic and the author of Impossibly Funky: A Cashiers du Cinemart Collection.

  Tom Wolfe is an American journalist and author.

  Guitarist Ron Wood was a member of the Jeff Beck Group and the Faces and has been with the Stones since 1975.

  Leslie Woodhead is an English filmmaker.

  Bill Wyman was the longtime bassist for the Rolling Stones.

  SOURCE NOTES

  This book started based on interviews my father did with Mick Jagger and Bill Wyman. Then our friend Dave Herman graciously gave us access to never-before-published interviews with Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, Charlie Watts, Ron Wood, and Bill Wyman.

  Most of the other interviews were either from my father’s archives or done specifically for this book, including ones with: Billy Altman, Marty Balin, Sid Bernstein, Craig Braun, Larry Cancro, Alan Clayson, Sam Cutler, Norman Dayron, Anthony DeCurtis, Marianne Faithfull, Bill German, Bobby Goldsboro, Robert Greenfield, Buddy Guy, Taylor Hackford, Andy Johns, Johnnie Johnson, Darryl Jones, Aki Kanamori, Al Kooper, Eddie Kramer, Don Law, Chuck Leavell, Michael Lindsay-Hogg, Ray Manzarek, Mike Martinek, John Mayall, Albert Maysles, Steve Morse, Andrew Mosker, Steve Nazro, Andrew Loog Oldham, Greg Perloff, Laurence Randall, Peter Rudge, Hubert Sumlin, Dick Taylor, Irma Thomas, Dean Torrence, Kenny Vance, and Leslie Woodhead.

  Because of my father’s passing, compiling the source notes for this book has been a challenge. Every effort has been made to credit other writers whose research we’ve used. If we have missed anyone, we apologize and encourage accidentally neglected sources to contact us through the book’s website (www.50Licksbook.com). Proper credit will be given both there and in future editions of this book.