No Stone Unturned
Author James Phelge provides a first-hand
look at the early days of the Rolling Stones
by Chris Parcellin
Have you ever wondered what Keith Richards and Mick
Jagger were like before the models, private jets and
drug busts?
Well, get ready, because your questions are about to be
answered...in graphic detail.
Just released in the United States Nankering with
the Stones (originally titled Phelge's Stones
) chronicles the early, poverty-stricken days of Rolling
Stones Keith Richards, Mick Jagger and Brian Jones---living
in a small flat in London's Edith Grove section.
The man who provides us with this window into the
making of the legendary rock group is James Phelge.
Phelge was a roommate and friend to the Stones in the
early-'60s, and had a front row seat as they evolved
from an unknown local band into international
superstars.
And Phelge proves to be more than up to the task of
capturing the real people behind the public facade.
His biting humor and incisive commentary show the
Stones as three-dimensional human beings, as no other
biography has. And his genuine fondest and respect
for the band shows through at all times.
D-FILED had the privilege of speaking to Phelge
recently, and he did not disappoint.
How long did it take you to write Nankering with the Stones?
James Phelge: I suppose the real answer is thirty-five years, although
physically, it was only three. There were lots of little myths and facts
about the Stones that were getting out of perspective, or just being
told totally wrong. I decided to write the book just to correct some
things and also tell what actually happened. It became an evening job
after I returned home from running my business. I did have 'off' periods
though, where I did nothing for two or three months.
Was it something that you'd planned to do for a long time?
JP: I had thought about it occasionally over the years but it was really a part
of my life that was extinct. I'm not a great believer in going back. You
usually get disappointed.
(seated) James Phelge, Brian Jones; (standing)
Paul McCartney, Brian Epstein; at the reception
for "A Hard Day's Night", 1964
When you first heard the Stones---what did you think?
JP: I thought they were great. Maybe it was just that they were playing a
different kind of music compared to the pop pap being put out at the time.
And playing it good. Maybe it was because they were my age and part of my
local scene. Whatever it was, they had an air of rebellion about them. Maybe
we all did back then, and it was a mutual recognition among those visited
the clubs on Stones nights. On the other hand maybe it was just the fact
that it was cheap to get in.:-))
It seems like Bill Wyman didn't like you very much. What was his problem?
JP: Wyman is aware that they never wanted him the band from the start. One of
the Stones office staff told me after Bill left the band that Wyman had
himself said that it had stayed like that for thirty years. Although he was
in the band, I still don't think he ever grasped or understood what the
Stones were about. Maybe it was because he was boring......yawn.
The Rolling Stones "Now!" album
It sounds like--from reading your book---that even in the early days, Keith was
someone who'd never backdown from a fight. Did you see him get into many
scraps?
JP: Not really. It is just that he would stand up for himself. He was never
afraid to be outspoken. I could not imagine him giving way to someone if he
thought he was right or had just been insulted. Sometimes people would find
with Keith they'd bit off more than they could chew and backdown. Talk is
cheap as they say...unless you're Marlon Brando, then it's about ten dollars
a word.
In Stanley Booth's book The True Adventures of the Rolling Stones he gives a
brief overview (mostly from Keith's perspective) of the same era your book
covers. Did he have his facts straight?
JP: Dunno. I never read it. Nothing against his book but I have never read any
Stones book. Never felt the need. Most of the people who write about them
don't or won't ever really know them. Anyone from the outside is going to
already be tarnished by the hype around band. They will never get to grips
with the normality of the guys as ordinary people. They never knew them then
of course.
The Rolling Stones, 1969
Is the stuff about Jagger wandering around Edith Grove in a housecoat true?
Do you think his sexuality was questionable---or was he just goofy?
JP: He had a womans nylon dressing gown he wore occasionally. I think he nicked
it from one of the girls downstairs. His sexuality is not worth arguing
over. Mick's been in the papers for 30 years with a different chick each
week and the same before he was famous. Where does this gay bit come in...?
Do you think Brian Jones has gotten a bad rap over the years?
JP: There is no doubt that his memory has been maligned over the years. It's
sad to still see that no one ever quotes anything nice about him. I don't
mean just in terms of his music ability which would have grown over the
years and moved with the progressive music, he was that capable. People
always quote his drugs problem and the various kids etc. He could be
difficult to deal with, sure, but so are many people. I can think of one or
two others who have had a drug problem not to mention illegitimate kids.
Should be easy to pick two names to go in that last sentence. Maybe the
fact that Brian's memory won't die bugs some people.
Did success change those guys a lot?
JP: I can still see the original guys and their attitudes come through on
occasion. They were bound to have changed in someways - maybe a few airs
and graces with Jagger. As I said earlier, most people never knew them so
would not know what to look for. They are expected to be entertainers now
and that is what they do. They still have their original attitudes, if you
know where to look. I sometimes see the fleeting looks that cross their
faces when they're pissed off, although the mask only drops for second.
Has the book been a big success for you?
JP: Not as much as I would have liked. Distribution was the problem. Big book
stores won't buy books anyway, they want them on consignment. Like, I wanna
sponsor Barnes and Noble? Things have improved for me. The US rights have
been sold to a Chicago publisher and the new American Edition came out
April 1, 2000. It is now called Nankering with the Rolling Stones. Not my
choice of title, but I guess it's better than Eating Shit with Keith,
Maybe not tho'...
Phelge today
Where can fans order it?
JP: It is now available from any US bookstore, as well as
Amazon.com. It is also now part of
official Stones merchandising and will be available from their
website
soon. More details are on my website.
Any plans for a follow-up book?
JP: I'm working on a second, but nothing to add to that at the moment.
Have you heard any reaction to Nankering with the Stones from
Keith or the other Stones?
JP: Not at all, apart from the fact Jane Rose rang after a year saying 'If I
give Mick my house he won't sue.' Just kidding. She rang about it becoming
official merchandise, so I guess it's okay. Wyman actually bought a copy
while I was in America. I gave another copy to Keith personally, but he was
on his way to gig. Knowing him, he probably lost it.
©2000 Chris Parcellin, All rights Reserved.
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