I wanted to take this opportunity to reveal some of the background stories that the fans would like, from someone who was there as opposed to other peoples interpretations. I chose not to do a book that was sleazy, as requested by numerous book agents (I've never been that broke), but of course I'll have sex, groupies, fanclubs, maybe some drugs, and some truth as to what went on behind the scenes. After all, "it's only rock and roll".

The Blackjack Table at Circus, Circus

After the show in Phoenix in 1969, our pilot informed us that the plane wasn't due back until the following morning and we could stop anywhere enroute from Phoenix to Los Angeles. Boom, Las Vegas. We got off the plane (which was a 707 with about 100 seats of which we used about 35) and walked into Vegas. First stop Circus Circus and the pitboss asked if we wanted our picture taken (which was against the rules), we said yes and hence the photo of : from the top left corner is a trapeze person, Astrid (Bill Wyman's girlfriend), Bill, Keith, me, Mick, and Sam Cutler behind us with the long blond hair is Howard Hesseman of WKRP in Cincinnati fame.

Ed Sullivan

When we first did the "Ed Sullivan Show", "Let's Spend the Night Together" was their hit. Of course, conservative Ed was against the lyrics and wanted the Stones to sing Let's Spend Sometime Together. This evolved into an artistic battle that lasted for hours on end ..As you could well expect, the Stones felt that their artistic integrity was at stake while Ed felt that the moral imperative was at stake. The morality of the show was further tested when I noticed that on the bill was a group of singing Nuns. I requested that they take a picture with the Stones and when Ed and his producers found out, they didn't like the idea and wanted to have me thrown out of the building. For some reason, they thought it was tasteless (the Nuns didn't mind). They let me stay, the Stones relented and agreed to sing the changed words. When we watched the show, we were totally pissed to find that they drowned out the lyrics with audience screams. Ed's people obviously did not trust us. I would have my revenge, but that would be the next time we played the Ed Sullivan Show.       I'll tell you later.

Cowboy Keith

When the tour ended in California 1966, our charter plane was heading back to the East coast and the pilot asked if we wanted to be dropped anywhere along the route back. Keith asked if I wanted to join him and Gared Mankowitz on an overnight camping , horseback riding trip to Scottsdale, Arizona. I loved the idea and told the pilot to drop us off in Scottsdale. We made arrangements with John Wayne's cowboy guide (the chiseled faced cowboy looking scruffy guy in the picture) to take us out. The only shoes I had were my Bally shoes and a pair of jeans.. so much for home on the range. When we arrived we outfitted ourselves with chaps, hats, and Winchester rifles. Keith also had a custom made 45 that was loaned to him by Lou Adler. A horseback riding we went. At the very start of our quest for nature my horse walked through a stream and started pawing the water ­I asked what this meant and found out, as the horse laid down in the stream with me aboard. So much for the Bally shoes...no wonder they wear boots. These are little vignettes for now, as I want to have more to tell, but I will mention the bobcat who stole our bacon..more to come, along with our other horseback riding adventures in Dallas, etc.

Margaritašs in LA

This was our sojourn at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles---they drank and I signed, at least we had the concierge to open the door when we staggered to our rooms.

Exploding Windows or Wešll Never Finish this Game

We traveled the States in a Martin 404 charter plane. This was a two engine craft similar to a DC3 I believe, and the first plane I ever flew in. On one of our flights to Salt Lake City, Utah for a concert, a window blew out of the plane. We were in our customary , let's play monopoly to alleviate the boredom mode, when there was a bang and the loud sound of air rushing throughout the plane. Bill and I were in our seatbelts when Brian climbed over me to rush up the aisle, screaming that we would be sucked out of the plane. Bill and I wondered why he took off his seatbelt when we felt that would protect you from being sucked out. But that wasn't the problem, since we were not pressurized the sound was that of the air rushing in. And so we lived...

Mick's Throat

After a couple of weeks on the road, Micks throat would become a problem. And when he felt there was something wrong with his voice, he needed more consolation than a cup of tea with honey. In this photo, I am assuring Mick that I would have a throat specialist come and ease his fears. This ,at least, got him to perform.