Symphony for the Devil: The Rolling Stones Story

by Philip Norman

Book Overview

In 2002 the Stones celebrate their 40th anniversary. Their story - the band's rise, the Marianne Faithfull, Brian Jones and Altamont scandals, the groundbreaking hits - is the stuff of twentieth... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0671449753
• ISBN13: 9780671449759
• Release Date: January 1984
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Length: 413 Pages
• Weight: 1.60 lbs.

Customer Reviews

This is a must have for any ture Stones fan!

I have been a fan of this group since '65 and this is one of the best books written on the band. Unfortunately, it does not cover the group's entire career--rather it leaves off in the mid-80s. However, it does cover the Brian Jones time period (which is the most pertinent since this is when their best work was done in my opinion). Facinating reading and extreemly informative--great for learning of the beginings of the Stones and what drove them to be the greatest rock and roll band in the world! If I can recommend a few of my favorites along with this book it is Stone Alone (who better to tell the story than an insider), Our Own True Story by The Rolling Stones (if you can find it--it was published in '65 and out of print for over 30 years), Dancing With the Devil by Stanley Booth and (of course) A Life on the Road.

If you gotta read just one book of the Stones, this is it

This is about the most complete and clear-headed account of the drug busts, media scandals, paternity suits, and internal fighting, Andrew Loog Oldham, Marianne Faithfull, and Anita Pallenberg to date. Musically, it explains the Stones' transition from a blues cover band to a songwriting band very clearly. The Mars bar incident and Brian Jones' somewhat suspicious death are convered with restraint. Believe what you want.It does seem to lose interest after 1970, but then, so did a lot of fans.Especially good are the stories of the early recording sessions -- "Not Fade Away", with Gene Pitney, who just happened to be around, helping on maracas; "It's All Over Now", the song that forged the group's instrumental approach, recorded at Chess Studios; "The Last Time", described as a musical migraine headache or some such. The talent and fall of Brian Jones are also well narrated here. (I am a Jones fan.) The story of the decline is clear-headed and fair, taking no sides. His impressions of the music of the guy who could get a tune out of just about any instrument he could pick up show some high regard -- his whinnying harp in "Not Fade Away", the country fingerpicking in "It's All Over Now", and especially the description of the inspired madness of his sitar playing in "Paint It Black."This book also works as a good introduction to swinging London at its apex.

For starters

Norman turns in his usual better-than-average show biz bio, with careful research and lively writing. He leaves off after the death of Brian Jones, which in no way diminishes the book. He also gives a valauble assesment of the Stones' subsequent influence. A very good beginner book about this group.