Up and Down with The Rolling Stones

Up and Down with The Rolling Stones chronicles the band's history through the perspective of Spanish Tony Sanchez, who worked as Keith Richards' assistant and confidant during the late 1960s and early 1970s. The account begins with Sanchez's first encounters with the band and documents his time in their inner circle. The book provides a behind-the-scenes view of life with The Rolling Stones during some of their most notable years, covering both their musical endeavors and personal lives. Sanchez details the day-to-day operations of the band's activities and shares observations about their relationships, business dealings, and experiences on tour. This memoir offers insight into the dynamics between band members and their associates during a transformative period in rock history. Through his firsthand account, Sanchez presents the complex realities of life within one of music's most famous groups. The narrative highlights both the glamour and challenges of the era, presenting an unvarnished look at rock stardom in the 1960s and early 1970s. The book stands as a significant historical document of the period, illustrating the intersection of music, celebrity, and cultural change through the lens of an insider. Its enduring relevance stems from its raw portrayal of fame and its effects on human relationships.

Readers often compare this book to other Rolling Stones memoirs, noting it provides details about the band's private lives and drug use in the early 1970s through Jo Bergman's perspective as Keith Richards' assistant. Readers appreciated: - Behind-the-scenes stories from a staff member's view - Coverage of the recording of Exile on Main Street - Descriptions of daily life at Nellcôte Common criticisms: - Writing quality described as "amateurish" by multiple reviewers - Some accounts conflict with other Stones books - Several readers questioned the accuracy of certain anecdotes Ratings: Goodreads: 3.5/5 (based on 38 ratings) Amazon: 3.7/5 (based on 12 reviews) "The insider perspective is fascinating but the writing holds it back," notes one Amazon reviewer. Multiple Goodreads users mentioned the book feels "gossipy" rather than journalistic. Several readers advised approaching the stories with skepticism while acknowledging the unique viewpoint offered.

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📖 Author Keith Badman extensively interviewed Tony Sanchez, the Rolling Stones' former drug dealer and personal assistant, to gather firsthand accounts for the book. 🎸 The book reveals details about the infamous Redlands drug bust in 1967, including the controversial "Mars bar incident" involving Marianne Faithfull, which was later proven to be a media fabrication. 🏰 Many scenes in the book take place at Nellcôte, Keith Richards' French villa, where the band recorded much of "Exile on Main St." while living as tax exiles. ⚡ The book documents how the Hell's Angels were initially hired as security by the Stones' management for just $500 worth of beer at the Altamont Free Concert. 🎥 Tony Sanchez's stories were so compelling that portions of the book were used as source material for the 2005 film "Stoned," about Brian Jones' death.