Beatles vs. Stones Paperback – Illustrated, November 11, 2014

A disappointing book. There is no subtitle, but it might have been Lennon, sometimes McCartney, rarely Harrison, and a virtually absent Starr tee off against Jagger, Jones, a sometime Richards, and a virtually absent Wyman and Watts. This book is largely about the press and public image of the perceived personalities, love lives, drug hijinks, and often misfiring political toe-dipping of the two groups, or rather Lennon, Jagger, Jones, and sometimes McCartney. It is good for explaining that the "rough edged" Stones actually came from better backgrounds than the economically hard pressed Beatles youths. The roles of Epstein and Oldham in raising them to the heights they deserved are explored. It is only secondarily about the music, both groups’ reason for being. The Rolling Stones’ ambitions to play catch-up to the remarkable Beatles is here, but precious little. The author does hammer on the point that the Stones were inspired by the Beatles’ evolution from Rubber Soul through Revolver to Sergeant Pepper, and back again through their later albums, notably the harder rocking White Album. The Beatles did Rubber Soul, so the Stones did Aftermath in reply, playing catch-up. Sergeant Pepper was indeed answered by the clearly inferior Their Satanic Majesties Request. But there is no mention of the fact that the Beatles, and especially Paul, was equally driven to play catchup to Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys. And a band does not just knock out Aftermath, with its Mother’s Little Helper (UK version), Paint It Black (US version), Under My Thumb (both versions, and marked by one of their greatest musical arrangements ever), Out of Time (UK version), Stupid Girl (both albums), etc. A band can be driven by the achievements of another. It does not mean it can respond in similar quality. How did the Beatles and Rolling Stones do it, how, as musicians, did they keep the rivalry going? What role did Watts and Wyman play, for example, in providing the bottom to the singing, guitar playing, and musical leaps of a healthy if seriously declining Jones? These and similar questions regarding the music of these two foremost British bands of the 60s are of very little interest to the author. But we do get the dirt, most of it published elsewhere. Unless you are most interested in the origins and the dirt, pass this one by.

I'm not sure if the author would like for me to call his book 'breezy' but that's what it is. Mainly a treatise on how both bands came about and subsequently viewed each other, the book is a quick read. As a previous commenter stated, the most informational parts of the book are how each band's manager shaped and directed their respective charges in the 1960s. As McMillian writes, in the early days one was either a Beatles person or a Stones person. Today that seems a bit trite as any discerning (or un-discerning) lover of rock and roll can like both bands equally well.To that point, I assume most who have a working knowledge of the history of the 1960s know that the Beatles were more important in knocking down barriers for other British acts. And yes, John Lennon always thought the Stones imitated the Beatles, and even immortalized that thought in his own song, "Dig a Pony".The book speeds up once the 70s and 80s are reached, naturally because the Beatles were no more. However, the author should have been a little more specific when praising the Stones hugely successful Steel Wheels tour of 1989, by mentioning that at exactly the same time, Paul McCartney embarked on his own World Tour of 1989-90 which was even more massive and more lucrative than Steel Wheels.

What a fun and magnificent contribution to the literature on the Beatles and the Stones! McMillian, a historian of 1960s counterculture, weaves together a well-researched and fascinating historical perspective on rock `n' roll's greatest rivalry. The emphasis in Beatles vs. Stones is on the cultural, political, and, commercial implications of this larger than life rivalry vaulted by an unlikely and extremely young group of Liverpool mop tops and shaggy-haired Londoners. Drawing from an immense pool of teen fan magazines and the often- overlooked underground newspapers of the 1960s which served as the mouthpiece of counterculture youth as well as the first real sources for rock criticism and analysis, McMillian explores the multifaceted Beatles- Stones rivalry. McMillian unravels the various threads of this rivalry in the context of 1960s counterculture, identity, marketing, image, and how we self-identify with one group or the other. He also dispels myths, while illuminating aspects of the rivalry that really seemed to exist. hpdngwll.

Very cool Book that goes back to the start of the 2 greatest bands in British and Rock History. Even though I knew or was familiar with many of the stories in the book, the author presents them in such a way that frames them in a new light. Plus I learned a few things I never knew, which I didn't think was possible since I was such a huge fan of both bands. Also, being of a certain age, it was fun to re-experience the excitement these bands created in the 60s. Great read for the beach or anywhere for that matter.

THIS IS A MUST READ! If YOU LIKE EITHER OF THESE BANDS you HAVE TO read this!!! You must know the REAL storry about the relationship between the Beatles and Rolling Stones.. Also - if you dont' read this - and you grew up with these bands as I did, you will be SHOCKED at what a bunch of lies the media perpetrated... these two bands were actually really close. In the end, you realize... the media can't be trusted.

The author suggests there is/was some sort of Beatles-Stones rivalry, then examines the facts, show there was no such rivalry, then repeats the process; this is distracting. I did find the book interesting in relating the details of how the Beatles helped the Stones, the details of how they merchandised themselves and/or the fact the "good boys" image of the Beatles and the "bad boys" images of the Stones were probably the reverse of what was factually accurate, and details of their lives as musicians. A lot of space was wasted mid-book reciting old quotes from nobodies.

Extremely well written and gives plenty to chew on in the never ending fascination of which of these two heavyweights was the best. To the more discerning fan it probably doesn't matter but its a nice sidestep from the usual 'cash-in' style books that appear on a regular basis on both bands.

Husband very pleased.

Beatles vs. Stone – these two groups change our music in the 60’s.The book tells the story about Beatles and Stones – about their god relationship and their competitiveness.Did Beatles and Stones have a political issue? Off course!Bay and read the book.

My husband loved itGreat fast delivery

great read