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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A wealth of Information at your fingertips, August 1, 1999
This review is from: It's Only Rock 'N' Roll: The Ultimate Guide to the Rolling Stones (Hardcover)
Authors James Karnbach and Carol Bernson take the reader on a journey through history with the Rolling Stones. They highlight the important events, the concert tours, the album releases, etc., as well as touching on the numerous celebrations, disappointments, and critical moments that have been part of the Rolling Stones' existence for more then three decades. Included in this book are rare pictures of Stones' memoribilia, many of which I have never seen in a book before (And I have read a good number of books on the Rolling Stones). Much recognition should be given to the authors for gathering up so much data. However, if you are looking for a biographical book about the members of the band, you should pass this up. This is really a reference guide.
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This One's Got It, September 9, 2002
Let me quote Little Richard....."You Got It - Oh, Baby, You Got It" This is the most authoritative guide I've found on the Band. Absolutely great chronology, concert data (often with set lists), sessionography, discography (both US and UK), films, TV, promotionals, and even a decent shot at the bootlegs. There are lots of notes and details......great listings of which sessions produced all the unreleased takes, so you can finally get your bootleg collection in order.......there is an unreleased version of Beast of Burden with different lyrics on the 8 track (the 8 TRACK!), there is a photo of the 1st gig advert at the Marquee Club, they solved the old legend of the Kink's Mick Avory serving as drummer at the first Marque Jazz Club date on July 12, 1962 by (why not?) asking Avory (get the book to find out the truth). There are dozens of similar nuggets......this is (as the cover states) the ultimate guide to the Rolling Stones. It's Only Rock 'n' Roll...ain't that the truth...... Note: Be careful not to mix this book up with the similarly titled "The Rolling Stones: It's Only Rock 'n' Roll: The Stories Behind Every Song" or Rolling Stones: It's Only Rock and Roll: Song by Song" both by Steve Appleford and both poor quality, or It's Only Rock 'N' Roll: My On-The-Road Adventures With the Rolling Stones " by Chet Flippo .
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Can't Judge a Book By....", July 10, 2005
And this book is proof of that lesson. Title and cover graphics nearly had me avoiding this genuine diamond in the rough, as a mere throw-away. I'm a long time fan and collector of things Rolling Stoned. Large collection of sights, sounds and memories on this band and with that, the expected vast amount of overlap. What one always wants, and doesn't always get, is 'new to me' info. I was up till the "wee wee hours" on the first couple nights with this new bedmate. A labor of love by the two authors, this time-line collection of data and quotes fills in more gaps than Keith's dentist in the early 70's. Divided into sections of Studio, Stage, Radio, and Screen this chronological history is to be applauded for it's depth of research, as well as it's appreciation and compassion for the subject matter. Not to say it's a fluff piece or 'warm and fuzzy' at all. Quite the contrary. It is just a thorough reconstruction of events with an endearing running commentary. For example, a date is presented in the bands 1963 touring schedule where the author gets quotes from Glyn Johns about a particular show, that are contradictory (by a few days) to that of Bill Wyman's account in one of his books, of the same show. You are presented with both sources accounts and asked by the author to come to your own conclusion. I liked that. Shows me that homework was done and where there was history's minor mystery, you were presented with all the data at hand and your choice of it's outcome. I was also intrigued by the authors' accounting of Brian's song contributions. Fans are well aware of his instrumental prowess on tracks, but actual songs penned, all or in part, by Jones, that were presented to the band, are given note. And a related interesting footnote; Andrew Loog Oldham's urging Gene Pitney to assist Brian in his songwriting efforts during the recording of the bands first album. Set lists, alternate takes info, other acts on the bill...all a delight, in any degree of completion, to this fan. Were there some omissions, most likely. I think I detected a couple from my own recollection of shows some 35-40 years ago, but then again, my "Memory Motel" has been plagued with too many vacancies recently. The main question is, did I get the joy of "I didn't know that...awesome?!?!", from this book? Most definitely. Overall, this has become a heavily recommended selection to my friends, and to any Stones fan, looking for as much tech and detail data on the band as possible. Satisfaction, go for it.
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