S.t.p.: A Journey Through America With The Rolling Stones [Paperback]

Robert Greenfield (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 3, 2002

Thirty years ago, the Rolling Stones swept America, taking Exile on Main Street to Main Streets across the nation. Everyone held their breath to see what would happen; the Stones' previous U.S. tour had been a chaotic circus culminating in the infamous death of a fan at Altamont. And this tour (the "Stones Touring Party") was rumored to be wilder than ever: bigger shows in major arenas, with a far larger entourage and even more drugs. Robert Greenfield went along for the ride, and came away with a riveting insider's account, called by Ian Rankin "one of the greatest rock books ever written." The reality lived up to the rumor: take one part Lee Radziwill, a dash of Truman Capote, set the scene at Hef's Playboy mansion, and toss in the county jail for good measure. That was the Stones Touring Party, the ultimate rock 'n' roll band at the height of its spectacular depravity.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Robert Greenfield’s latest books include Timothy Leary: A Biography, and S.T.P.: A Journey Through America with the Rolling Stones. An award-winning novelist, playwright, screenwriter, and journalist, he lives in California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press (September 3, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0306811995
• ISBN-13: 978-0306811999
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #542,224 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars For Stones fans., November 7, 2002

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: S.t.p.: A Journey Through America With The Rolling Stones (Paperback)

A readable and interesting book. I wasn't that interested in those on the peripherals of the Stones touring party, which fills much of this book, but the bits including the Stones themselves are very interesting and entertaining. In the intro, the author says this book has been out of print since 1974, and just got back in print in June, 2002. (I just read a passing reference to it in the Nov., 2002 issue of VOGUE. First I'd heard about it.) He's there when Mick and Keith get arrested for hitting a photographer. He's there when the Governor of Rhode Island tells the chief of police to spring Mick and Keith from jail, for public safety (the waiting audience for a Stones show could riot if deprived of the Stones!). He's there to show that being on tour with the greatest rock and roll band in the world CAN, truly and believably, get mind-numbingly dull. It's an interesting inside look, by a journalist who is impressively objective. (He doesn't despise nor worship the Stones, and actually gives an interesting run down of why, at that time, the Stones actually were NOT very wealthy, despite ten years of success. That's changed since, of course.) Worth reading if you're a Stones fan.

10 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 'OUTLAWS IN LOVE...KINGS OF THE DECADENT LAWN.', July 29, 2006

By 

k.west "Quest" (Liverpool; UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: S.t.p.: A Journey Through America With The Rolling Stones (Paperback)

I read this book sometime around 1975 when it first surfaced as a highly literate diary chronicling the Rolling Stones 1972 tour of America.Basking in the reflected glory of the (then and arguably still)'greatest rock n' roll band in the world';the author is afforded access all areas,and guides the reader from bickering rehearsal sessions,through rigid security meetings and late flights,until finally you are granted a carte blanche ticket for the greatest show on earth.Greenfield's cultured and informative reporting hurls you head-first into the crazed and ruthless world of the maelstrom that is The Rolling Stones in all their sometimes heavy-handed glory.Wonderfully entertaining stories unfold throughout this incredible journey as the outlaws
in love march like kings,across the decadent sprawling lawns of
mighty America.Pure zeitgeist.Great stuff.
After reading this book you just wanna'play 'Exile on Main St.'
at serious volume and wish that you never had to go to work again.(Oh'well..)

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's Only Rock and Roll But I Like It, Love It ,Yes I Do!, February 27, 2008

By 

William Donnelly (Pompton lakes, New Jersey United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: S.t.p.: A Journey Through America With The Rolling Stones (Paperback)

Whoa! This is a thorougly enjoyable book all the way through.I agree wholeheartedly with the reviewer who stated this is "One of the greatest rock books ever written";it's certainly the best rock and roll book I've ever read, and I actually am not that much of a Stones fan. This book could have been done as a quick, tabloid rock tour journal, but the writing is absolutely superb and fascinating all the way through, the story decadently entertaining.Bravo Mr.Greenfield!