No. 251: STANLEY BOOTH / He wrote the only book you need to read about the Rolling Stones. Alas, it was cursed from the get-go, hardly made him a dime & just about broke his spirit.

The True Adventures of the Rolling Stones , an account of embedding with the band in the run-up to Altamont, was only properly published in 2000. The author's publishing-biz black comedy & my own.

As much as I have a minuscule reputation as a sportswriter, I’ve always considered myself a failed arts critic. Stop right there—I know you’re going to say “a minuscule reputation as a failed sportswriter.” Too easy.

Yeah, if I had my pick of any realm in the arts I’d have focused music. If you’re a regular reader of this SubStack you’ll remember a recent story about the audacious prank I pulled on a campus music weekly when the editors declared me not cool enough to contribute. (If you’re inclined it’s linked here: No. 225: BERNARD SHAWON & PERCIVAL EVERETT / An unbelievably true story about a risible con job.)