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Under Their Thumb

How a Nice Boy from Brooklyn Got Mixed Up with the Rolling Stones (and Lived to Tell About It)
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( 417 ratings, 56 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Under Their Thumb by Bill German offers a riveting glimpse into the world of The Rolling Stones, recounted from the perspective of an insider. Bill German captures his experiences and interactions with the legendary band, detailing his journey as their confidant while navigating the dynamics and eccentricities of rock and roll life. This memoir provides a fascinating exploration of fame and the music industry, all told with authenticity and wit.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This captivating memoir offers a behind-the-scenes look at life with one of the most legendary rock bands in history. If you're fascinated by the music industry and enjoy stories of personal encounters with rock icons, you'll find this insider's perspective both engaging and enlightening.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

How does a nice boy from Brooklyn get mixed up with the most notorious rock band in the world and live to tell about it?

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Under Their Thumb: How a Nice Boy from Brooklyn Got Mixed Up with the Rolling Stones (and Lived to Tell About It) tells the story of Bill German's unlikely friendship with the Rolling Stones. He first met them on the streets of New York when he was a seventeen-year-old aspiring journalist. After handing them a copy of his amateur fanzine, they took the author under their wing and hired him as their official historian. They turned his little rag into their official newsletter and advertised it in one of their albums.

Soon after, he began travelling the world with them and staying at their homes. German went from being a teenage fan who wanted to know everything about his favourite band to suddenly knowing too much! He was privy to their private jams and recording sessions as well as to their parties, peccadilloes, and in-fights. Yet, through it all, he maintained his identity as that nice boy from Brooklyn. Despite Keith's observationβ€”or edict?β€”that "people only leave the Stones in a casket or handcuffs," he was one of the few to leave their orbit on his own terms.

This updated edition of Under Their Thumb includes new stories about German's relationship to the Stones and twenty never-before-seen images.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Bill German's Under Their Thumb offers an engaging and insightful look into his evolution from a devoted fan to someone entrenched in the complexities of The Rolling Stones' inner circle. Reviewers describe it as a compelling and firsthand account, praised for its authenticity and insider perspective, with some considering it one of the best narratives about the band. The memoir is highlighted for its blend of humour and poignancy, capturing the highs and lows of interacting with rock legends.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781493065080

Publisher: Globe Pequot Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 15 August 2022

Country: United States

Imprint: Backbeat

Illustration: 74 BW Photos, 17 Color Photos

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 25.0mm

Width: 153.0mm

Height: 230.0mm

Weight: 585g

Pages: 432

About the Author

Bill German worked as an on-air "rock correspondent" for the ABC Radio Network and wrote articles for Spin and Rolling Stone (while publishing 102 issues of his own fanzine). He co-authored The Works with Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones. Now, in addition to Under Their Thumb speaking engagements, German performs excerpts from his not-yet-released book, a bittersweet family memoir about his sister's mental illness and the New York club scene that provided his escape. He has performed at clubs in Manhattan and at the Long Island LitFest, opening for Dick Cavett, Julie Klam, and Alan Zweibel.

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