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  • Published: 6 August 2015
  • ISBN: 9781473502215
  • Imprint: Ebury Digital
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 352

Rollaresque

The Rakish Progress of The Rolling Stones



The story of The Rolling Stones as Dickens might have written it - the rise of the greatest rock and roll band in the world told as a bawdy picaresque novel, complete with original comic illustrations.

London 1962. Five young hooligans have formed a band and are on a collision course with the austere and intolerant values of post-war Britain. From their beginning in a scummy flat off the Kings Road to the notorious Redlands scandal, this is the anarchic rollercoaster ride of the Stones’ first five years.

We follow our heroes in a rags-to-riches romp of sex, scandal, mischief and uproarious behaviour as they challenge the establishment, invent the archetype of the rebellious, parent-scaring rock star lothario and, eventually, receive their comeuppance from the powers that be.

Presented with the audacious wit and bawdy humour of a vintage novel, complete with Dickensian illustrations, Rollaresque celebrates the young Stones in the grand English literary tradition of lovable rogues. This is the music biography reinvented as a ripping yarn.

  • Published: 6 August 2015
  • ISBN: 9781473502215
  • Imprint: Ebury Digital
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 352

About the author

Simon Goddard

Simon Goddard grew up in Wales and Scotland before studying art in the North of England. He later moved to London to work as a music journalist and is now recognised as one of the most unique voices in pop writing. In addition to Simply Thrilled, he has written acclaimed books about The Smiths and Morrissey (Songs That Saved Your Life, Mozipedia), Bowie (Ziggyology) and the Stones (Rollaresque). Mozipedia was voted Mojo magazine readers’ Book Of The Year and has since been published in three continents.

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Praise for Rollaresque

Entertaining and befitting of the greatest rock 'n' roll band of all time

Shortlist

A fantastic achievement

Mark Radcliffe, BBC 6Music

Reinventing the group's early glory days as a picaresque novel in the style of Thackeray or Fielding, he brings their rich vocabulary and florid wit to bear on "five of the boldest English rogues as have ever trodden their native soil",

Clive Crump, Huffington Post