The Rolling Stones

Gr 10 Up—Although the l960s saw the birth of many British bands, the Rolling Stones is one of the few that has seen a 40-year success as a group. Nelson chronicles the lives of the band members and their works, decade by decade, in great detail. Readers will have to wade through the many musicians who came and left before the final group was deemed the best combination. Added to that are the hundreds of venues and endless recording sessions documented throughout the book, which contribute little to understanding the reasons for the group's continuing popularity. Brief background on the musicians' early education, their developing interest in music, and the historical context in which they lived will meet the expectations of readers wanting an introduction to the Rolling Stones. The detailed accounts of continual rifts among the band members, the financial woes, the drug arrests, and the womanizing read like the National Enquirer. The group definitely capitalized on their rowdiness and rebelliousness to keep their names in the press and to excite their audiences. A seven-page time line, a five-page list of albums, and a few grainy black-and-white photos complete the volume.—Peggy Fleming, formerly at Churchville-Chili High School, Churchville, NY