Robert Greenfield

Robert Greenfield is an American journalist, novelist, and screenwriter known particularly for his work documenting music and counterculture figures of the 1960s and 1970s. His biographical works include profiles of major cultural figures like Timothy Leary, Jerry Garcia, Bill Graham, and the Rolling Stones. As a journalist, Greenfield served as Associate Editor of the London bureau of Rolling Stone magazine during the early 1970s, where he conducted significant interviews with rock musicians and wrote extensive pieces on the music industry. His book "S.T.P.: A Journey Through America with the Rolling Stones" chronicled the band's infamous 1972 American tour. Greenfield's literary output spans multiple decades and includes both fiction and nonfiction works. His novel "Temple" won the National Jewish Book Award, while his biography "Dark Star: An Oral Biography of Jerry Garcia" provided an in-depth look at the Grateful Dead frontman through extensive interviews with those who knew him. Many of Greenfield's works focus on the intersection of music, culture, and social change during pivotal moments in American history. His biography of concert promoter Bill Graham and his examination of Timothy Leary's impact on 1960s counterculture are considered significant historical documents of the era.

Readers value Greenfield's firsthand access to his subjects and his detailed documentation of 1960s-70s counterculture. His Rolling Stones tour account "S.T.P." receives praise for capturing the raw atmosphere of rock touring in that era. Readers appreciate: - Deep research and extensive interviews - Insider perspective on music industry - Ability to portray complex personalities - Historical context and cultural insights Common criticisms: - Sometimes gets bogged down in minutiae - Can be overly focused on negative aspects - Writing style described as "dry" by some readers - Some feel his Timothy Leary biography is too harsh Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - Dark Star (Jerry Garcia bio): 3.9/5 (500+ ratings) - S.T.P.: 3.8/5 (300+ ratings) - Timothy Leary bio: 3.7/5 (200+ ratings) Amazon: - Dark Star: 4.2/5 - Bill Graham bio: 4.4/5 - S.T.P.: 4.0/5 One reader noted: "Greenfield doesn't mythologize his subjects - he shows them as real people with real flaws."

S.T.P.: A Journey Through America with the Rolling Stones (1974) Chronicles the 1972 American concert tour of the Rolling Stones, documenting both performances and behind-the-scenes events.

The Spiritual Supermarket (1975) Examines the rise of new religious movements and spiritual practices in America during the 1970s.

Bill Graham Presents: My Life Inside Rock and Out (1992) Co-authored biography of concert promoter Bill Graham, covering his life from Holocaust survivor to rock music impresario.

Dark Star: An Oral Biography of Jerry Garcia (1996) Compilation of interviews and accounts chronicling the life of Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia.

Timothy Leary: A Biography (2006) Comprehensive biography of psychologist and counterculture figure Timothy Leary, from his Harvard years through his advocacy of psychedelic drugs.

A Day in the Life: One Family, the Beautiful People, and the End of the Sixties (2009) Details the story of Tommy Weber and Susan "Puss" Coriat, documenting their involvement in London's 1960s counterculture.

The Last Sultan: The Life and Times of Ahmet Ertegun (2011) Biography of Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun, tracking his influence on popular music from the 1940s through the 2000s.

Bear: The Life and Times of Augustus Owsley Stanley III (2016) Biography of Owsley Stanley, documenting his role as LSD chemist and sound engineer for the Grateful Dead.

Tom Wolfe wrote about 1960s counterculture and social movements, including detailed accounts of Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters. Like Greenfield, he documented rock music culture and social changes through immersive journalism.

Peter Guralnick focused on music biography and cultural history, writing definitive works on Elvis Presley and Sam Phillips. His approach to music journalism combines deep research with first-hand interviews similar to Greenfield's methods.

Anthony DeCurtis produced in-depth biographies of Lou Reed and the Rolling Stones, with extensive access to his subjects. His work examines the intersection of music and cultural movements of the 1960s and 1970s.

Stanley Booth documented the Rolling Stones during their 1969 American tour and wrote about blues musicians. His first-hand accounts of musicians and scene documentation parallel Greenfield's style and subject matter.

Albert Goldman wrote biographies of Elvis Presley and John Lennon based on hundreds of interviews and extensive research. His work focuses on the dark sides and complexities of music icons, similar to Greenfield's unflinching examinations.