The Rolling Stones fans split on biography detailing ‘very broad overview’ of their career

A biography detailing the history of The Rolling Stones has received a mixed reception from fans, who called the book a “very broad overview”.

The Mick Jagger-fronted group has been subject to a series of biographies over the decades. Official releases from the band, like Keith Richards‘ Life and According to The Rolling Stones, have been met with rave reviews from fans and critics alike. But a recent biography by Bob Spitz has left readers split. Though some hailed the writing of the book, others say they feel short-changed by the book, as it recounts stories of the band which are already in circulation. Readers took to the r/RollingStones subreddit and shared their thoughts on what the book offered, and what it is lacking.

One person writing up their thoughts on The Rolling Stones: The Biography, shared: “Anyone else read it? Curious about people’s thoughts. I was born in the 90s, and was shocked by how little I knew about The Rolling Stones’ collective and individual histories. Does anyone have quibbles with the tales? Other thoughts?”

One fan of the book replied: “I’m reading it. I love his writing. We all know some of the stories, but he creates a vivid account of their career.” Another agreed, adding: “It was good but I knew most of what was covered. Worth reading.” Others were less convinced by the stories found in the book, dubbing much of it what fans would already know about the Gimme Shelter hitmakers.

A reader wrote: “Same old stories that have been written about before. I didn’t learn anything new.  This is a good book for someone considered a newbie to the band.” The original poster replied: “So I honestly fit in the latter – I’ve been listening to the music for decades, but didn’t know much of the lore. I wasn’t sure how much of it was novel or if it’s the same stories being told again and again.”

Another person added: “Like most rock bios, the early years are exhaustively detailed while the latter era is glossed over.” A third shared: “Very broad overview. If I remember correctly, the book was more than 60% complete by the time the events of Altamont were covered.”

Some were put off by the price of the book and opted to pick it up as a paperback when it is released. The future reader wrote: “£25 for a hardback, half of the stories in which I’ve probably read elsewhere before (admittedly I’ve probably forgotten half of those!). I’ll wait for the paperback, I think.”

Another agreed, adding: “From people who have read it it seems it’s ok but doesn’t tell anything new.” The Rolling Stones: The Biography, released on May 28. A description for the book reads: “At its heart, the story is about two boys, Mick and Keith, and their unique, fraught, alchemical bond, often tested, never sundered. The Glimmer Twins.

“The bandmates, like Charlie Watts, who found their groove in relation to this double star made the trip intact, while those who struggled, like Brian Jones and Mick Taylor, were chewed up and spit out. This is a story with many dark corners, including a surprising number of deaths. But whether Jagger and Richards sold their souls to the devil is at the crossroads for blues greatness or just squeezed their heroes for every drop of inspiration, in the end their connection to their music and to each other put them in a category of one, where they very much remain.”