What a fantastic book! A continuation from Andy Babiuk’s glorious Beatles Gear.
Every musician wanting to know music should have Rolling Stones Gear (& Beatles Gear) on their nightstand. This book is an extraordinary journey of all of The Rolling Stones guitars, basses, amps, drums, effects and even the original Rolling Stone Mobile Studio.
Starting from 1954 to get insight from The Stone’s influences, then on to a year by year basis. Brian Jones, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Mick Jagger and Bill Wyman’s humble musical beginnings individually and the history of how they came together. All captivating stories!
The photos tell a great story as well. Pictures of the original instruments (if the original instrument wasn’t available for a photo, another of the same brand, color, year was used). Details and the tale of details on every instrument along with a chronological Stones history, page by page. Babiuk and Prevost did exhaustive research for this book and it shows within its covers.
The ‘Mick Taylor’ years are of great interest because of The Stones returning to ‘live’ performances. The use of Ampeg amps was a new foundation in their Sticky Fingers/Exile era guitar tones. When Ronnie Wood arrived, new pedals were being introduced more steadily and a little cleaner tone with their ‘ancient art of guitar weaving.’ Charlie Watt’s ’57 Gretsch ’round badge’ drum kit he starting using in the mid 70s is a cool story. Of course Keith’s 5 string, open ‘G,’ history-making Micawber Telecaster is a story unto itself that can’t be missed.
One of the many things that I found fascinating in this book is how The Stones, from the get-go, always shared everyone’s instruments (regardless of who owned what). Like a community, or better yet like a band!
What’s next Andy? The Who? The Eagles?
Rolling Stones Gear
Andy Babiuk and Greg Prevost
Backbeat Books
$60.00
672 pages
For more information, click HERE.