Up and Down with The Rolling Stones

Up and Down with The Rolling Stones chronicles Tony Sanchez's time as Keith Richards' assistant and confidant during the band's peak years in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Sanchez served as both friend and drug procurer for Richards, giving him a front-row view of the band's inner circle. The book presents firsthand accounts of life at Richards' villa in the South of France, recording sessions, touring, and interactions between band members. Through his position as an insider, Sanchez documents the dynamics between Mick Jagger and Keith Richards during a pivotal era for the group. These memoirs trace the progression of the Rolling Stones from rising stars to rock legends, while also depicting the toll of fame and excess. Sanchez details the band's creative process alongside their personal struggles and relationships. The narrative provides commentary on celebrity, addiction, and the price of success in the music industry. Through his observations of one of rock's most significant bands, Sanchez explores themes of loyalty, power, and the dark side of stardom.

Readers describe this as a gossipy, sensationalized account of the Rolling Stones during their peak drug years. Many found it compelling and scandalous, with intimate details about the band members' relationships and substance abuse. Liked: - Raw, unfiltered look behind the scenes - First-hand accounts of major moments and parties - Details about Keith Richards' drug use - Fast-paced, entertaining writing style Disliked: - Questions about credibility and truthfulness - Some events contradict other Stones biographies - Too focused on drugs and scandals - Author's self-serving portrayal Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (380 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (89 ratings) Reader comments often note Sanchez seems bitter and possibly embellishes stories for effect. One Amazon reviewer wrote: "Take it with a grain of salt - it's more tabloid than history." Multiple readers mentioned the book provides an interesting perspective but should not be considered a definitive Stones biography.

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🎸 Tony Sanchez served as Keith Richards' personal drug dealer and assistant from 1967 to 1973, giving him unprecedented access to the band's inner circle 💊 The book was highly controversial upon release, as it detailed the band's heavy drug use and Richards' relationship with heroin, leading to legal threats from the Rolling Stones' management 🏰 Sanchez describes elaborate drug-smuggling operations at Nellcôte, Richards' French villa, where the band recorded much of "Exile on Main St." in the basement 👮 The author claims he helped Richards avoid several potential drug arrests and details how the band managed to evade law enforcement despite their notorious lifestyle 📝 The book's original 1979 publication was initially suppressed in several countries due to its explosive content, though it was later republished and remains one of the most intimate accounts of the Stones' most decadent period