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Gerry
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Joined: 07 Jul 2008
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Location: US
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| Rolling Thru the Stones ~~ An Interview With Keno |
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Recently Keno, an internet friend for 13 years, wrote a book about the Stones called Rolling Thru the Stones. He included a significant amount about Brian Jones, his internet friends,the message boards and many never before seen pictures. I thought you might like to read an interview with him asking about some of those chapters.
QUESTIONS
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So many books have been written about the Rolling Stones, why write this one?
I was asked to write this book by former Stones and Rock photographer Philip Kamin. He had a ton of unpublished photos of the Stones that either he took - or that he owned, from 1964 till the mid '00s. So he asked me if I would write the text for a new book that he wanted to publish those photos in.
What will Brian's fans find in Rolling Thru the Stones
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Besides photos of BJ, there are chapters written about his leaving the band and what really lead to that, and what the truth was as to if he was really fired or not. Then another chapter deals with his death and why it should be clear that he was murdered. A subchapter tells how important Brian was to the Stones and then Brian also comes up often in the Question and Answer chapter; the Disputed Songs Credit chapter; and in a few other places in the book, too.
The photos in the book have certainly been receiving a lot of praise. Do you want to tell us a little about them
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About 75% of them come from Philip Kamin's collection. Either he took the photos himself, or he owns them. The rest come from other folks who sent in photos to me. Jim Summaria, another well known rock photographer, sent me several of his photos that he took of the Boys. Basically, half of the photos in the book that come from the 1970s, came from Summaria's collection, the rest from Kamin's. But other folks sent me in some rare photos, too. Really, several others helped out, including members of the Stones Vikings from Sweden.
Why did you feel it was important to write a section on Internet Stones fans
?
Well, I didn't just write about internet Stones fans - but about Stones fans in general, since us fans have been around long before the internet ever existed. No question, Stones fans are more driven than your average rock fans are, as Philip Kamin notes in his interview in the book. This dude has toured with Paul McCartney, Led Zep, The Who, Pink Floyd, Dylan, the Dead, and yet he notes how only Stones fans have a special energy to them at shows that the other artists' fans lack. So anyway, if I was writing about Stones fans, how could I not include the "internet" Stones fans, too?
The section about disputed song writing credits is bound to raise some eyebrows. Without naming your sources, some of whom may have asked to remain anonymous, can you tell us how certain you are of your facts
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I'm pretty clear on this in the book. If it is just a story without any proof, I noted that. If one of the Stones made the claim, I point that out, too. But the thing is, I had several sources I spoke to about these songs, not just one person. If I heard a story about a song for the first time, then I would ask a second source to either back up the story or at least tell me if they also heard the same thing inside the Stones family, too. That was the deal with the "Ruby Tuesday" story in the book, and I did make it clear it was just that, a story. That was one account that at least a part of it I had never heard before. Yet two different insiders had heard of it. Still, as one of them pointed out, that don't mean it happened - or didn't happen, it is just one story that hadn't circulated around too much outside of the Stones inner family.
I guess I should also note than some of these sources cannot be named legally since they signed confidentiality agreements with the Stones.
Some of the stories you tell, such as the three concerts or the time you saw the uncensored version of the movie CS Blues, are quite personal. Why did you want to share them with your readers as opposed to giving them factual events only
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Because that kind of stuff has already been written about in other books.
I was one of the few who saw the uncut version of Cocksucker Blues, and all Stones fans, even non-fans, want to know what was cut out of it. Was Keef really shown shooting up in the movie? That is one question I hear often. So I felt placing a personal touch to the reaction of myself and those watching this movie helped in explaining it better. I tell you, to this day I've never seen anything close to what was later cut out of that flick. The boot of this movie is much tamer, to say the least. If you saw that, well, you still didn't see the uncut movie that I did, big difference. When watching the uncut version, it was like you knew you weren't supposed to be seeing this stuff and you half didn't believe what you were seeing. So writing about that movie in the way I did was really the only way to describe it best.
As for one of those concerts I wrote about, and getting into MSG in '71 without a ticket to see the Stones... well again, that story connects with writing about Stones fans in general. There seemed to be more of us without tickets outside of the Garden that night than those who had tickets. There were so many fans who wanted to get in to see them who could not. All of us felt ripped off with the unfair ticket lottery system they used that year and we wanted in to see the Stones! That was why we all showed up that night is such large numbers. It was also why so many of us were trying to crash the gates to get in. We felt cheated and we were still young enough to think we could take it all into our own hands. But almost all who did try to break in that night got nowhere. Lucky for me and my friend, we figured out another way to get in without paying a scalper, yet still, there was some cost in the end. My feeling today is that something like that could never happen again.
Why did you choose to talk about those particular three films in the book (CS Blues, Ladies & Gentlemen: the Rolling Stones, R&R Circus)? Why not the very well known Gimme Shelter? Or some of the lesser known Stones films
?
Well, as you note, everybody knows and has read before about Gimmie Shelter. I already knew that Cocksucker Blues and Ladies & Gentlemen: the Rolling Stones are not as well known. The first part of the Rock n Roll Circus I had written for my website several years ago. When Philip first read it, he called me and suggested it should be in the book. So I just ended up including it, since it was my writing and only owned by me.
In the closing words of the section on Brian's death, you take Mick and Keith to task for trashing Brian's memory. Are you trying to rehabilitate his memory in the eyes of those Stones fans who seem to be taking the Glimmer Twins at their word
?
No, I think I was just being honest there. It seems most hardnosed Stones fans already know about this sad fact, at least when it comes to Keith. We are aware of what Keith says, but we don't understand totally why he doesn't lighten up with it. So I only made a suggestion as to why. But if you read the book, I do little bashing of anybody in there. That isn't what this book is about. I just felt for this one thing, the ongoing mistreatment of Brian Jones, well it needed to be addressed, since he isn't around to defend himself.
Why a section on someone who has been dead for 40 years? Why do you think it still matters
?
Are you joking here? First, this book is about all of the Stones - Mick J, MIck T, Keef, Bill, Charlie, Ronnie, Stu and yes, there was a guy in the band name Brian Jones who has been dead now for some 40 years. So what. He started the band, there never would had been any Rolling Stones without him. He also made so many of the early songs special. So of course it matters! I guess another way to answer this is to put the shoe on the other foot and say, why have a modern day message board about a guy who's been dead for 40 years? Why would that matter?!
(note: Keno had this to say about his answer to the last question: ...with the last question that I answered, just so you know... The way I answered it, I was not being rude to the question (not at all) in how I worded my answer. I bet you have been asked this question yourself and that was why you asked me it. It is a great question. So I was just making a point in the way I answered it.)
For those who would like to order Keno's book you can get an autographed book by sending a check or money order or a non-autographed copy by using your credit card. All the ordering information is at this address:
http://www.keno.org/rolling_stones/rolling_thru_the_stones.htm
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Sat Sep 26, 2009 9:24 pm |
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jim
Joined: 19 Oct 2008
Posts: 107
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Location: Romulus, Michigan, USA
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Very informative,thanks Gerry  I for one can never understand why Keith continues to rip Brian after all these years.  |
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Sun Sep 27, 2009 3:04 am |
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Delilah
Joined: 18 Sep 2008
Posts: 186
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Location: Canada
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Thanks for this Gerry. Keno sure knows a lot about the Stones, and he doesn't like it when people talk negatively about Brian.
quote:
Originally posted by Jim
I for one can never understand why Keith continues to rip Brian after all these years.
I agree Jim. I don't understand it either. I think the only person who does is Keith, and I'm not even sure about that...
A while back, I posted my review of Keno's book to another thread. I figured I would repost it here:
Keno's
Rolling Thru the Stones
is like no other Stones book. Its structure is not linear, which means that its various sections can be read in any order the reader wants or feels like. Some of the sections are personal: Keno tells us of some of the times when he saw the Stones in concert, and he also tells us about seeing a film that almost nobody else saw. And he makes them fun to read. He also tells us why he doesn't agree with so many Stones fans that
Exile on Main Street
is the best Stones album of all (this reviewer, who also doesn't agree with this assessment, just
loved
that section).
Other sections of the book deal with a variety of topics: songs written about or for real people, songs by other artists about the Stones or which mention the band, disputed song writing credits (this section will be of special interest to Brian's fans, which everyone here presumably is), songs about dope, and banned songs and albums.
There is also a long section about what happened to Brian: his parting from the band and his death. This section, obviously, will be of special interest to his fans, and there are a few photos in there that I'm pretty sure most people have never seen (I know I hadn't). Keno's closing words, which he called "The Aftermath" are bound to resonate with most, if not all, of Brian's fans.
There is a fun section on internet Stones fans. Keno talks about Gasland, the discussion board he runs, and introduces us to a few of its posters. He also mentions some other boards, including this one.
A word about the photos: most of them are being seen for the first time. People who are not into the post-Brian Stones may not be as interested in the photos as someone who likes all eras of the band, but they are getting a lot of praise and I think they deserve a mention. Most of them were shot in the late 70s and early to mid 80s, by photographer Philip Kamin, who is interviewed in the book.
A fun section about long hair comes right before the most often asked questions. Keno answers the questions he is asked most often either by email or on his Gasland board. I learned new stuff here, including facts about Brian.
The following section introduces us to each member of the band. Keno has positive things to say about each of them. This will be refreshing for Brian's fans, who are tired of reading negative and unfair things about their favourite Stone. You'll see none of that here.
The book concludes, before Keno's closing words, with a few lists and poll results taken from many years of polling fans every week about a wide variety of subjects on Keno's website. BTW everyone, and not just Gasland posters, can answer the weekly polls, and they're usually good fun, as can be seen here.
All in all, a nice little book that is different from all the other Stones books out there. IMHO, well worth the asking price and a worthy addition to any collection of Stones books. |
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Sun Sep 27, 2009 12:35 pm |
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Lazlo
Joined: 13 Aug 2008
Posts: 165
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Location: Upstate
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Here is something interesting Keno said -
"I guess I should also note than some of these sources cannot be named legally since they signed confidentiality agreements with the Stones. "
Makes me wonder what else the Stones have people bound to secrecy about? |
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Sun Sep 27, 2009 2:51 pm |
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Linda
Joined: 18 Sep 2008
Posts: 141
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That is exactly what I was wondering!? I wonder if they mean about giving
BJ credit for his song contributions in some way? Or what?!
The way M&K have treated BJ all these years is a total disgrace. I also suspect
that after Keith got Anita away from Brian (which turned out to be the best thing
he ever did for BJ) he started to realize that the drugs they were using made
her even the more absolute monster than she was before!? He can't talk about
anyone since he planned that Moroccan mess anyway!!)
Anyway, it would be interesting to know more about that Confidentiality
Agreement. Keno did a super outstanding job!! |
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Sun Sep 27, 2009 7:20 pm |
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ANN
Joined: 26 Aug 2008
Posts: 230
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Location: SPAIN
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Thanks Gerry & Delilah, I will have to order Keno´s book from the local store. |
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Sun Sep 27, 2009 8:27 pm |
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Linda
Joined: 18 Sep 2008
Posts: 141
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I just ordered Keno's book and the Mark Hayward book, Off Camera,Off Guard
today should be here between 10-5 to 10-9-2009, I hope!! |
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Sun Oct 04, 2009 12:56 am |
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Linda
Joined: 18 Sep 2008
Posts: 141
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I just got the Keno book in the mail today. I will spend the day reading it and
see what it is all about. Ordered that Hayward book but it is not here yet.    |
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Sat Oct 10, 2009 7:34 pm |
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Bernard Mc Dermott
Joined: 18 Sep 2008
Posts: 95
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Location: New York City
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I hate to say this, But reading about any of the Stones except Brian Makes me Nauseous. I feel like I could puke. Some of their records have done that to me as well..Such bad people! |
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Thu Nov 19, 2009 9:28 pm |
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Linda
Joined: 18 Sep 2008
Posts: 141
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I agree with you Bernard, I don't like reading about the others either. I guess I
am just fed up and not interested in them anymore. The way they talk about
Brian is a disgrace to bands and musicians everywhere. It is becoming clearer
why so many people cannot get along with them and a lot of times they
cannot even get along with each other. Really very sad    |
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Fri Nov 20, 2009 12:25 am |
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Ovalvox
Joined: 25 Nov 2009
Posts: 36
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Location: USA
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I will say this. Ruby Tuesday is now carved in stone (no pun intended) as completely Brian Jones. Number one in America in 1967, so Brian penned a number one tune afterall. So much for somene who supposedly couldn't write. Brian Jones was an all arounder. Can Mick or Keith say that?
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Brian Jones the original Rolling Stones lead guitarist |
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Wed Dec 16, 2009 4:29 am |
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Ovalvox
Joined: 25 Nov 2009
Posts: 36
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Location: USA
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I just finished the book. Overall it was OK. A bit short and quite a lot of misspellings. The editor must have smoked a fat one before proof reading it. LOL. He says a lot of nice things about Brian though. I won't say much as I assume most people haven't read it yet. But there is information on Brian and some of the songs the Stones did that I thought Keno gave Brian justice for. It is worth reading just for the Brian parts. Plus that photo of Brian playing playing his custom Vox Teardrop MKXII (12 string) guitar is priceless. Perfect cover picture.
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Brian Jones the original Rolling Stones lead guitarist |
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Thu Dec 17, 2009 12:10 am |
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