2Stoned

by Andrew Loog Oldham

In 1963, in a south London hotel, Andrew Loog Oldham discovered an unknown rhythm and blues band called the Rolling Stones and became their manager and producer; by 1967 they had achieved worldwide celebrity, been arrested in a notorious drugs raid and split with the manager that made them. 2Stoned is the remarkable record of these years, when Oldham's radical strategies transformed them into the Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Band That Ever Drew Breath. In his first book, Stoned, Oldham recorded his early years and the meeting with the Stones that changed all their fates; 2Stoned is the story of what followed.

482 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 29, 2012

Reviews

[Davidg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Compared to the first volume of Oldham’s memoirs, this leaps all over the place. In a chapter on the Sones conquest of America in 1964, suddenly it leaps 20+ years for no apparent reason. Being all over the place fits with the details of drug consumption and the falling part of Oldham’s life.

In the sections in his own voice, there are far too many puns and joke references - I’m sure I didn’t get all of them - which get wearing after a while. I am still unclear about the fall out with the Stones (the fact that none of them speak doesn’t help). I also haven’t a clue how he has made a living since the late 60’s. And suddenly a wife is mentioned who hasn’t been heard of before.

At least he doesn’t thank L Ron Hubbard this time.

[Robert Goodwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not an easy read as it is in effect the commentary of many people and sometimes it is not put together well for the purposes of a flowing read. That said it is very interesting for anyone into the history of Rock or who lived through that time. As a piece of literature it is all over the place. As a gathering of memories and insights from those involved it is invaluable even if some of the writing is that of a beat poet on steroids occasionally with mangled up words trying to be 'hip'.
The sub title could be 'how I lost the Stones' or 'How I was dumped by the Stones'.

[Peter Sumby · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second half of his Stones book, in which ALO & the Stones become famous, is actually a slightly less interesting read than his first one, just because we know the story so much better.