Rolling Stones, a volume on their 1969 American tour is published

The US tour of Rolling Stones of 1969 is the subject of a new book based on previously unpublished first-hand accounts from those who were there. Its title is “Is Everybody Ready For The Next Band?” was written by Richard Houghtonfeatures over 50 fan photos and images, and will be released in the UK on December 12th.

Publisher’s statement Spenwood Books reports: “In November 1969 the Rolling Stones toured the United States after three years. Founding member Brian Jones had left the band, replaced by Mick Taylor of John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers. Gone, too, were the 30-minute, hit-packed sets played on inadequate sound systems to crowds of screaming teenagers. In their place, a proper 75-minute rock extravaganza, drawing heavily on the Stones’ new albums, “Beggar’s Banquet” and “Let It Bleed,” which used innovative lighting and scenography.”

Guided by Glimmer Twins – Mick Jagger And Keith Richards – i Rolling Stones they played across America on a 24-date tour whose essence is captured on the live album “Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out” (read the review here), considered by many to be the best live rock album of all time.

From an unadvertised opening night on November 7, 1969, in Fort Collins, Colorado, to the tragic events in Altamont, California on December 6, “Is Everybody Ready For The Next Band?” (which takes its title from the band’s evening introduction by Chip Monck on stage) mixes contemporary newspaper accounts with over 100 previously unpublished first-hand accounts to present the story of a tour that has gone down in history as the first rock tour of the modern era, told in the words of those who were there.

One of these voices, the radio DJ, writer and music historian James Pagliasotti he writes: “If I look at any of the photographs from that tour, the thing that always strikes me is the change that occurred between the ’69 and ’72 tours, of which the Stones were a prime example. There were people with their elbows on stage while the Stones performed. Even though they were starting to play to much larger audiences, there was still that intimacy. Everything really changed in ’72. I went to five shows on the ’69 tour. Backstage there was something like a case of beer and chips. In 1972, the backstage was a catering, with high-end liquor and French champagne. And I think we saw it in the music too.”