The Rolling Stones' Exile on Main Street

by Bill Janovitz

Book Overview

Tracing the creation of Exile on Main Street from the original songwriting done while touring America through the final editing in Los Angeles, Bill Janovitz explains how an album recorded by a British band in a villa on the French Riviera is pure American rock & roll. Looking at each song individually, Janovitz unveils the innovative recording techniques, personal struggles, and rock & roll mythmaking that culminated in this pivotal album.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 082641673X
• ISBN13: 9780826416735
• Release Date: February 2005
• Publisher: Continuum
• Length: 174 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 4.7" x 6.5"

Customer Reviews

the best of the 33 1/3 series

This is the first of the 33 1/3 series I bought, and after reading a dozen or so, I can say it's easily the best. Most of the series focus on the music from a fairly personal point of view, and Janowitz certainly does this, but he's a knowledgeable musician and he gets what's interesting about each song. It's a very rock kind of approach to what is probably the greatest rock album. By the way, I'm not much of a Buffalo Tom fan, so Janowitz's own status didn't influence me one way or another. Yes, there are better books about the band, and even about the making of Exile. But this is the book you want to read while you're listening to the album. It's like having a really cool, knowledgeable rock buddy sitting with you, getting into the music and talking with you about it.

Best book on Exile yet

Just finished Janovitz's Exile book and I was really impressed with his style. He provides a detailed account of the characters, setting and circumstances surrounding the recording of "Exile on Main Street". I collect books on the Stones and this easily goes into my top three due to the details of why Exile was such a breakthrough for the Stones as artists. I loved the fact that Janovitz breaks down the tracking on Exile song by song. He provides a lot of insight of the sounds and meanings behind every song. I know this record by heart but he knocked it out of the park pointing out things I hadn't considered before such as the importance of Jimmy Miller's percussion influence or Nicky Hopkin's contribution vs. Ian Stewart's on Exile. I LOVED it. I give it 5 stars!

Good Read

Very detailed and well-written account of the greatest rock and roll album ever made. To be honest, I would've preferred a few hundred more pages about Exile, but Janovitz crams a lot into this little book. Worth multiple readings if you're a big fan of the album.

Stones Fans Will Love It

Bill Janovitz, frontman for Buffalo Tom and Crown Victoria, presents a well-written account of rock's greatest record. Any Clash fan who questions why "London Calling" always comes after "Exile on Main St." as the best rock record ever made will understand why after reading Janovitz's prose. The descriptions Janovitz gives of his experiences with the record are easily related to anyone who grew up in a suburban/urban area during that time-frame. I recommend the book, along with a six-pack of beer and a set of headphones.... It's just good story telling.

This Beaten Streets

Janovitz (of the band Buffalo Tom) tells of personal accounts and uses interviews to tell of this classic rock recording. the 33 1/3 books are one of the coolest collections to come around in a long time, and any real music fan should stock up on the lot. Each books give the writer complete artistic freedom, and it truly makes for great reading. Get 'Em All! So stop playing your favorite album and just READ IT!