Customer Reviews

Nankering with the Rolling Stones: The Untold Story of the Early Days

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is precious and priceless!

Older Stones fans (like me), especially those familiar with Sixties London and the districts where The Stones lived in 1963, will delight in the easily readable and so evidently true stories of The Stones' very early days when Mick, Keith and Brian were more than teenagers but not quite mature adults. Phelge has covered many of the bases and truly gives you a taste of the environment that nurtured The Stones. You arre literally in the room with them, watching The Stones struggle hard, indeed, almost desperately for a commercial break, and against incredible odds in a still conservative post-war England. The book is chock-full of marvellous observations, wonderful insights, hilariously humorous incidents, and pathos. It clearly reflects Phelge's superb capabilities as a raconteur (and one not given to exaggeration) who tracked the evolution of The Stones even as he lived with Mick, Keith and Brian 40 years ago in their squalid, disorganized flat where cleaning up for the lads simply meant throwing crockery, cutlery and utensils out of the kitchen window into the communal garden below.

The book is filled with gems: Mick's yearning and wistfulness for a load of money as he lolls aimlessly in a freezing cold, food-free flat with his fellow Stones; chucking Ian Stewart out of the band because he did not look "with-it" enough for Andrew Loog Oldham, the first manager of The Stones along with Eric Easton; the unbelievably funny and ridiculous "Toilet Door Fiasco" with Keith and Phelge who drove their neighbors mad every day for months on end with their antics and purloining; the "Immaculate Dollies" with their [nice figures]; the "nankering" (face-making and squawking) and pranks that went with their looning around generally; the list is endless.

In addition, Phelge paints excellent portraits of The Stones' character and temperament. One sees the competitiveness and tension between Brian on the one hand, and Mick-and-Keith on the other hand, all starting very early on in their association. (They would carry this around with them for years until they ditched Brian with the worst of feelings in 1969.)

Younger Stones fans need to read this book in order to understand who The Stones were and where they came from, and how they started up the ladder that took them to stardom at the very top of the world where they have stayed since 1965. My younger office colleagues who like The Stones have absolutely no idea about any of this history and it is a shocking gap in their knowledge.

Overall, an amazing, informative, excellent book. At least 5 stars!

JS

Definitely if you're a Rolling Stones fan, it is essential to read this book. As someone who has read quite a few supposed "biographies" of the Stones, I can tell you that I have not yet found one as genuine, funny, heart-warming and well-written as the story James Phelge relates of those early struggles at Edith Grove.

If you're not a Stones fan, read this book anyway. Because not too far into this book you soon forget that this is about the early years of men who are now known as "The Greatest Rock and Roll Band in the World". This book is simply about four guys sharing a flat in London in the 60's, and the fun and hardships involved in their lives at that time. This is the story of a struggling band, of young men, of lives money poor, but rich in friendship. It is the story of men who follow their hearts. You will laugh out loud, and perhaps even find a tear in your eye.

I only wish I could give this book an extra star.

A real gem of a book. Genuinely hilarious in its depictions of some estranged young men and a very staid early 60's England. Also oddly melancholic, about a guy left behind when his pals become superstars. Phelge stepped aside, and Keith never bothered to look him up. Such is life. But the stories are wickedly funny. I must say I wonder how much has been embroidered by years of yarn spinning down the pub, nonetheless it mostly rings true and you're a fool not to read this.

This is certainly the best "story of the Stones" book. Phelge manages to present the story straight out, with an excellent memory for detail. When he drops names (and there are lots) you really don't get the feeling he's dropping names, it just somebody else who was around at the time.

Although many of the stories have been told by Phelge to other writers before and have sort of become part of the Stones legend, it's great to hear the whole thing from beginning to end from the man himself.

If you only buy one Stones book, this is a great choice.

If you want one book that provides a window on the early 60s London music scene, this is it.

If you want a book that tells a great story about a group of naive guys trying to be a band, this is it. There are not ridiculous stories about parties, but when they screw around, you get the feeling you were there yourself.....a very nice writing job and well worth the trouble to find and read.

I've read many a book about the Rolling Stones. This one is by far the funniest, most grotesque, enjoyable read about the Stones ever written. Suprisingly Phelge has a natural talent for writing, and it shows in this delightful read. I reccomend this book for any Stones fan. Trust me. My wife even liked this book!I guarantee you won't put it down until it's done. Thanks Mr. Jimmy

Many books have been written about the Stones which give an account of the band's exploits, music, etc. AFTER they made it big. But this account transports the reader back in time to their infancy. Jimmy Phelge was there when it all started--during the days of struggle when there wasn't a coin to put into the meter for heat, during the days of slugging it out and playing for next-to-nothing, and during the days of high jinks such as recording the bathroom experiences of unsuspecting neighbors. He recounts how the band came together, the personalities, and how the dedication to their idols made the band what it was and is.

Reading this work allows one to picture and even feel like he's in the flat at Edith Grove with Mick, Keith, Brian and Jimmy. Phelge's recollections of his buddies is especially insightful when it comes to Brian Jones. This book gives the reader a true appreciation of not only his talent, but also his vulnerability.

I recommend it for anyone with even a passing interest of the Stones because it's a source for some great trivia. But mostly it's INSIDE INFO about the members of the band and what makes them tick. A solid piece of work!

Phelge's writing is straightforward and completely irreverent. He has no respect for dress codes, superstardom or neighbors, and believes the feelings are mutual. This guy was friends with Keith when the boys still scrounged for food, beer and rent money. Although the book is a bit short, the good parts will have you laughing out loud as you read them and will still make you smile years later.

Stanley Boothe's book about the Stones 1969 American Tour has gotta be my favorite Stones book, a classic of rock n roll books. However, Nankering With the Stones is a BLAST to read! it is extremely well-written, every anecdote is great, the author LIVED with Keith, Brian, and Mick just before they became famous. This book captures the excitement of the Stones earliest gigs and is full of hilarious observations and antics!!! If you love the Stones, you will love this book. For readers interested in a biography from childhood to fame, this ain't it, but it's better than a bio, and is sort of a book equivalent of a TV show like the Real World, or much more appropo, Survivor! James Phelge, THANK YOU!!!

I read this book last year in it's first edition form. Jimmy Phelge pulls no punches in his story of the Stones' early years. What I think will be a real treat for Stones fans is the glimpse into their personalities before they had "manufactured" ones. This is especially true in the excerpts about Brian Jones. The reader can really experience how Brian was the initial driving force on their road to success, and the early seeds of his eventual self destruction. A definite must read!

There have been countless books about the Stones by people who have by and large never been lucky enough to get close to the band. James Phelge is different. Not alone has he lived pretty much the life of a Rolling Stone with the band but he just so happens to be a damn good writer as well. Lucky for us. Nankering with the Rolling Stones has to be the definitive Stones history. It's also nice to know that James is actually a great guy as well. Read it!