Beatles vs. Stones

The author is an historian and as he says “not a rock critic”, but this book is hardly a history. It is biased on the side of presenting both groups in an ugly light. It seems that one should have an understanding of music to properly appreciate such seminal musicians. If one looks at the artists as mere personalities, one cannot get a sense of their contribution to popular culture, music and the times in which they lived. The book is filled with conjecture, innuendo and put downs. The author takes turns labeling all the band members, except the more mature Charlie Watts, as “thugs”. In such labeling, one chapter seems to contradict the last. Despite the support between the two bands, the author makes a case for their rivalry and egos. That arguably the greatest bands of this generation had egos should come as no surprise. What is lacking in this book is any balanced account of the great musicality and performances of these artists. If anyone under forty reads this account, they will be left with a very incomplete portrait of these artists. Perhaps it is the author’s intent since so much has been written about the groups. There are better, more serious books about the sixties and about the Stones and Beatles.