You Can't Always Get What You Want: My Life with the Rolling Stones, the Grateful Dead and Other Wonderful Reprobates

by Cutler Sam

Sam Cutler was tour manager for the Rolling Stones at some of their major gigs in the late sixties, including the infamous concert at Altamont where a man was murdered by a Hells Angel in front of the stage while the Stones played on. After the show, Sam was left behind to make peace with the Hells Angels, the various mobsters and organizations who had taken an overt interest in the event, and the people of America. There has never been an official investigation into events at Altamont and those involved have never before spoken on record.

Sam Cutler has decided that it is time to put to rest the myths and legends that have grown up around this infamous event in rock history and for the first time reveal the truth.

Sam survived Altamont and went on to live the ultimate rock and roll dream. This is also his own account of the high ol’ times he had managing tours for San Francisco band the Grateful Dead — who went on to become the world’s most successful live act. Along the way Sam draws intimate portraits of other stars of the psychedelic circus that was the music industry in the sixties and seventies, including Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, The Band, the Allman Brothers, Pink Floyd, and Eric Clapton. This is an exhilarating, all-areas-access rock memoir from someone who has seen — and done — it all.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography, Rock N Roll, Biography Memoir

295 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 2007

Reviews

[zed · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have no abilty to discuss the rights or wrongs of Cutlers birds eyes views of the events in this book such as Altamont but then who has?

Cutler writes, in fact enjoys writing, about the sheer quantity of drugs used by all there, so that must make for some hazy days that could be hard to recall. Be that as it may, it is a breezy and easy to read book that held my attention from beginning to end.

As to Cutler, he has made it clear he holds no regrets about his rock and roll ride and that attitude is hard to be a critic of.

Recommended to anyone that has a passing interest in The Stones and the Dead and those heady times.

[Tosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I find fascinating with respect to books about the Rolling Stones, is that the subject matter (The Stones) are not that interesting as a subject matter. But all the side characters in their long narrative is on another plane itself - and they are fascinating. The drug dealers, the managers, the audience, groupies, the money people - all of them are interesting, but the Stones themselves never come off as interesting figures in their own story. Keith of course is the closest of being an interesting guy and the same goes for Brian Jones (of course).

Sam Culter was the Road Manager for the 1969 Stones tour and then after that went off into the weird world of the Grateful Dead. And his book on both band's life is great. Another classic rock n' roll memoir of life beyond the stage - and the Stones on stage is the one moment where the band comes to life - but alas, the real story is what happened before and after their shows.

And it is not just the rock n' roll sex thing, that becomes common place and kind of boring. Its the American gangster element that came to force during the 1969 tour, and how it sort of was left to attach to themselves to the Stones' inner world. Basically Mick Jagger looked the other way, while Cutler had to deal with shady (are they or aren't they) mafia figures as well as the Hells Angels culture.

The Stones' free concert is a mixture of horror, dread, and watching a slow fatal car wreck as it happens in front of your eyes. Cutler saw it going that way, but couldn't stop the machine or the engine heading towards disaster. And that is the highlight of the book, like the great film "Gimmie Shelter" you just want to cover your eyes to all the ugliness - and Cutler writes about the experience in a straight forward manner that is classic journalism.

Cutler then jumps into the Dead world, and that also captures a time and place like no other. Cutler was in love with the LSD vibe that was going around the band and its followers. Naive is not the exact world, more like a horror show being placed as a foundation to allow a mixture of thugs and hippie dreamers. A weird combination that is through out the book.

Mick Jagger comes off as passive/aggressive and Jerry Garcia is .....very simple. Just wants to focus on the music and nothing else but the music. Which means looking away from the culture that has produced various bad traits as well as some good highlights - the good trip here and there.

But also the practice of the Grateful Dead world (if not the band themselves) spiking various drinks with LSD in their party and beyond is kind of weird and scary. Sam Cutler's memoir of those years leaves a bad taste, but you can also see the need to go through all of that with the hope of tasting something great. But the 'great' has a limited time period before disaster strikes. Essential rock n' roll book.

[Patrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

I always read these music tell-alls and I always find them irritating.

Cutler, who was the tour manager for The Rolling Stones and The Grateful Dead, annoys me on two fronts: He posits a conspiracy theory for the Altamont stabbing (see the Maysles film "Gimme Shelter") and he casually relates several tales of dosing the unwitting with LSD.

The Altamont mess, to me, is a good example of what happens when you let hippies run things (another being the Obama administration). Cutler is obviously trying to save his reputation, and I don't blame him, but he's got to do better than some James Ellroy paranoid fantasy with shadowy government agencies etc.

And I have considerable experience with LSD. Dosing someone without their knowledge is an unforgiveably irresponsible act, and I find nothing amusing about it at all.

Pluses for some interesting behind-the-scenes band stuff, and for a discussion of the difference between working for the disparate groups.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be a very entertaining read as I am a long time fan of the Grateful Dead and The Rolling Stones. I was especially interested about the Altamont free show and all the mystery surrounding it. Sam Cutler was deeply involved as a representative of the Rolling Stones. His story is revelatory regarding the preshow machinations of the local power brokers, the day of the show security issues, the omnipotent sense of dread and then the aftermath of it all. Cutler has a excellent writing voice and the pages fly by quickly with his wild stories. I found it hard to put the book down. Heartily recommended for fans of this era and or people who want to know how these two bands operated in the late 60's and early 70's.

[Bruce Kirby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read, short chapters that cover a lot of ground. Behind the scenes in every way. It probably could have been longer!

[Rick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm enjoying Cutler's book quite a bit, as much for its breezy, but fairly erudite, writing style as for the insight into the period from 1969-1970. A couple of critical observations: Cutler bills himself as tour manager for the Stones, and I imagined that meant he had enjoyed a long relationship with them. In fact, he seems like a peripheral member of the Stones' entourage, someone who was never in the inner circle and who only acted as Tour Manager for the autumn tour of the US in 1969. Since that tour ended at Altamont, however, Cutler's role in the organization and carrying out of that infamous concert is worthy of special scrutiny. And Cutler does not disappoint, as the majority of the book is spent on that 6-month period (from July 1969 to December 1969). Cutler is defensive, seeking to justify his own actions in advance of Altamont and casting suspicions on a number of the other characters who were part of that tour (John Jaymes, the alleged Chrysler rep; Melvin Belli; the Knights of Columbus, etc.). Fair enough. I don't know enough about Altamont to judge the degree to which his claims are valid, but they do make for entertaining (if lengthy) reading. When it comes to the Grateful Dead, about which I do know a bit more, Cutler is much more superficial, and even seems to make a number of factual errors or exaggerations. From the extensive Dead setlist projects, it's pretty clear that the Dead did not play (at least publicly) a lot of Rolling Stones songs prior to the late 1980s, despite Cutler's claim (in a jab at the Stones, he claims the Dead idolized the STones, and played a lot of their songs, while the Stones didn't bother to learn who the Dead were). Furthermore, Cutler's account of his role in helping to identify the corruption of the Dead's tour manager, Lenny Hart, seems a bit confused, and at odds in places with what other Dead scholars have written. In the end, although Cutler spent a lot more time with the Dead than he did with the Stones, it is that 6-month period in 1969 with the Stones that occupies the majority of this memoir. One would have liked to hear more details, and more specifics, about Cutler's time with the Dead. But still, it's an interesting, well-written account by someone who had first-hand experience with the rock scene of the late 1960s and 1970s.

[Ben Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cutler's memoir of his life as tour manager for the Rolling Stones and Grateful Dead, as well as the events leading up to the notorius and era defining Altamont concert, is a book that's hard to put down. His is the unique perspective of someone stuck between the musicians, the artistic vision and the commercial and practical imperatives involved in the running of the biggest bands on the planet. Of course the stories of drugs, sex and rock'n'roll excess are here but they take a back seat to history. Cutler's writing is novelistic, gritty and driving and his insights into the music industry, bands and artists are intriguing and poignant. A defining book about a defining period. A necessary read for anyone interested in the music of then or now

[Ed Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have not read a good rock 'n roll memoir in a long time.
Sam Cutler takes us down the road with the Rolling Stones
as tour manager in 1969's Altamount tragic concert.

After leaving the Stones he takes a tour manager's job
with the opposite rock 'n roll band the Grateful Dead
from 1969 to 1974. with a lot of drugs, chicks, music, roadies.

His book is not cynical of the 60s it is more about the music. There
are ancedotes here & there. Hindsight, just wish wish this book had come out in 1975 when I left college. Really, because the book is a period piece of remembering our youth, good or bad.

There are more Stones stories here than Dead for you rock 'n rollers
trying to remember the old days of youth.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

With Desert Trip 2016 booked, I was ready to learn more about the Rolling Stones. The bonus was also reading stories of behind the scenes with The Grateful Dead and getting to know the character of Sam Cutler. The contrast of the two bands, the 60s drug scene, the changing faces and comings and goings of the entourages surrounding the bands all makes for an interesting read. The Altamont story is built with mystery regarding who in that mess of planning errors should hold the blame. It was a mess - more so than we knew. But Sam Cutler knew - and he lays it out well.

[Kurt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is very fun and cool. Cutler writes pretty well -- he's got an authentic voice that doesn't grate or preach. He'll come up with a turn of phrase that perfectly nails the situation he's describing. And, thankfully, this book is not a tell-all piece of poop. It's just full of great memories and anecdotes of shepherding the Stones and the Dead. Oh yeah, and there's lots and lots of LSD.

[Clem · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another one of those ‘insider’ books that focuses on famous celebrities. Rather than a serious biography by some esteemed author, this account is by somebody who actually worked with the artist; or in this case ‘artists’. Such books are hit or miss. Just because someone has rubbed shoulders with the greats doesn’t necessarily translate into a meaningful, interesting retrospective.

This one, though, was very entertaining and interesting. Author Sam Cutler holds his audience’s interest throughout while keeping the chapters somewhat succinct. He knows what his audience wants to read about and doesn’t pollute the pages too much with memories of no interest to anyone other than himself.

If you haven’t heard of the author, chances are you’ve seen him if you’re a fan of the Rolling Stones and have viewed the somewhat infamous film “Gimme Shelter”. Sam was the band’s tour manager during this time period, and one can see and hear him multiple times during the Altamont fiasco trying to keep the overwhelming chaos of the day somewhat controllable. As Sam Cutler begins this book, he talks briefly about his upbringing, but he wisely keeps this time period to a minimum. He comes of age during the wild unmitigated period of history known as The Sixties. During the era of flower power and acid rock, even some of the most well-known and famous bands were incoherent for much of the time, and you get the feeling that Sam Cutler’s introduction to working for the Rolling Stones was more acid-dripped luck than anything resembling a strong work resume. Fortunately, though, Cutler is the real deal and knows what he’s doing. So it isn’t surprising that the Rolling Stones quickly incorporate him into their inner circle during the pivotal time of 1969.

The year of 1969 was a pivotal one for the Rolling Stones, and the tumultuous times weren’t limited to the Altamont concert; although the event did serve as a fetid climax. So, not surprisingly, a good deal of this book is devoted to that one event - the poor planning, the ensuing chaos, and the stabbing of a 17- year old concert goer (which can be viewed on the film, no less). It’s interesting to hear Cutler’s recollections of the event. There isn’t that much that’s earth-shattering, but such an event is always best when told from someone deep on the inside. There are some observations by Cutler that might be new for the novice. One example is that he claims that the Hell’s Angels motorcycle club really didn’t inflict much of the beatings that they’ve become infamously known. The harm, Cutler alleges, was mostly done by the ‘prospects’ of the Hell’s Angels that utilized this event as a recruitment pledge so they could show off to the actual members. Cutler also makes a slight allegation that the whole event may have been conspired by the government, and there were key infiltrators that passed out ‘bad acid’ during the day which caused things to deteriorate throughout the day.

Anyway, immediately after the fiasco, the Rolling Stones basically bail the country leaving Cutler to clean up the mess. He then immediately begins working as a manager for the Grateful Dead. The Grateful Dead were also supposed to perform at Altamont but chickened out when the day erupted in senseless brutality. So even though Mick Jagger and company leave the author penniless, he at least has another gig where he can quickly transition.

We then follow along with the author’s interesting journeys of touring with The Grateful Dead for a couple of years. There’s acid, booze, loose women, acid, marijuana, cases of cigarettes, and more acid. You wonder how the author, and most everyone else, survived. It seems like every other page, the author begins another story with “We poured drinks and all shared a fat joint….” I mean, I almost became nauseous at times just reading about it. Anyway, a couple years into his tenure as one of the Grateful Dead Managers, he and the band come to an impasse and he’s unceremoniously sacked. And here our story basically ends.

He does give a brief epilogue but doesn’t spend time talking about what he’s been up to in the last 40 years. This is probably a good thing since after being a part of the inner circle of The Rolling Stones and The Grateful Dead, he probably rightly assumed that the best part of his story had already been told, so he wisely quits while he’s ahead.

This was a fun read. Cutler knows how to tell a good story. True, at times it seems as though the drugs may have taken a bit of a toll on his ability to think in a linear fashion. One example is a chapter in the book titled “Mick Taylor”. He begins the chapter holding his reader’s interest by giving his impressions of Brian Jones’ replacement, but in the middle of the chapter he drifts off and ends up talking about a popular groupie of the time that had a fetish for hot melted butter. I’ll stop there and leave the rest up to your imagination.

He definitely has no regrets, even though it seems like he was somewhat screwed by the two famous bands. But in the era of free love, he considers himself lucky for the experiences. Despite his appearance of being a rather serious manager, he definitely never seems to take himself, nor his surroundings very seriously, and it made for an overall pleasant, fun, and educational read.

[Irwin Fletcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Growing up a Stones fan and later becoming a fan of the Dead I was familiar with Cutler (particularly his voice from his famous Stones introductions) and was always mildly curious about this guy I had really only seen in action in Gimme Shelter. In more recent years I've started to notice him a lot more in various books about the Dead and Stones. Including a book about Altamont I read that leaned heavily on interviews with Sam. When he popped up being colorful and hilarious in the Amazon documentary about the Dead I was like... this guy should write a book. Turns out he already had.

I probably would have found it a little more interesting if I hadn't already read Joel Selvin's book about Altamont since a large part of Sam's book covers that event. I can't remember if it was that one or Rich Cohen's "The Sun And The Moon And The Rolling Stones" (possibly both) but I know I've seen quite a few of these passages excerpted in other books. It wasn't all old hat though, there was still quite a bit here I didn't know or had forgotten but quite a bit of it was familiar as well.

As for the writing, he's very entertaining storyteller and I didn't really have any problems besides just wishing the scope would have been a little larger and less focus on a handful of events. I'm guessing his intention was more to give fans a good idea of what touring with those bands was like and what really went down behind some of those famous and infamous events than getting too deeply into his own life or all the details of the bands. There's a little bit about his early life and career but not enough that I felt like I really understood where he was coming from or how he came to really get that involved in music. It seems like one days he's a teacher and the next he's putting on big concerts and then on tour with the Stones. The dots are a little more connected but it still seems like a very sudden life change in the narrative.

After mainly focusing on the '69 tour, Altamont and the aftermath for the biggest part of the book it goes on to give some highlights from his time with the Dead then basically just ends when he stops working with them in '74. No mention of what he did personally or professionally after that, there's an epilogue where he goes to a Stones concert in '03 and meets with Charlie and Keith again but no mention of what he did all the years in between. I've heard at one point he went to prison like in the 90s but I'm not sure why as there's no mention here. I only know he has a wife and sons from a single line in the acknowledgements. It's still an entertaining read and I'm guessing a lot of people probably want to know more about the bands he managed but I would have liked to see a little more about Sam himself.

[Jeff Bauer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mixed feelings about this. The parts about the Stones tour and Altamont were more interesting to me than his time with the Dead because I was less familiar with the Stones' history as opposed to the Dead's. I understand that without Cutler's guidance, the Dead's history would have played out very differently, and you could argue that he was responsible for their financial success. But to my ears, Cutler comes across as fake humble. He's prone to categorizing people and events in black & white terms: they were great, or they sucked. He tells the story in a way that almost always portrays himself in the best possible light. I appreciated the anecdotes about his interactions with Jerry, Pipgpen, and Janis and learned things I hadn't read elsewhere. But the descriptions of his time with the Dead are random and uneven; it almost seems like he ran out of time and space toward the end of the book. For example, we get 4 chapters on the Festival Express tour. But the Dead's legendary Europe 72 tour? Seven pages. I am also not certain that I believe that everything in this book went down as he describes.

[Steve Portigal · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a tell-all rock-n-roll book, written by a participant (and not a writer) this was surprisingly well-written. Plenty of moments that are clearly fabricated, but a lot of interesting detail about what a shit show it all was (say, Altamont, for an example). Amazing that he worked his ass off for both the Stones and the Dead and then they parted ways with a whimper, each time, and that was absolutely it. No loyalty from these musicians, I guess.

A lot of horrifying stories about dosing people with acid without their knowledge and consent, and how hilarious it was when they did whatever they did, or how convenient it was to get out of a jam by dosing someone. Pretty terrifying idea from this point in time; he sort of acknowledges that, but still kinda suggests it was okay back then even if we wouldn't do it now. Yeah, okay, still sounds like many traumatic experiences were foisted upon people without their consent ha ha ha :(

RIP Sam Cutler; I only found out about this book because he just died. Glad I read it.

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

A different perspective on two very well-known bands, not something a musician or producer would usually disclose. Sam Cutler was tour manager for the Stones in 1969 and then several years after for the Grateful Dead. He had a unique relationship to those bands and their organizations and he reveals some of that here. Not gossipy (in fact, he mentions areas he will not disclose) but informative nonetheless. His passages about Pigpen are charming, as he was the member of the Dead least well-known to later audiences outside of T.C. Some rare pictures from his personal collection are displayed.
If you want definitive biographies of either band, go elsewhere. But for a glimpse inside their organizations at important junctures in their careers, this is a fine addition to your reading collection.

[Dachokie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting Perspective of Two Historic Bands ... and Altamont, February 7, 2011

I was informally introduced to Sam Cutler many, many years ago when I was in the process of wearing out my vinyl copy of the Rolling Stone's live album "Get Your Ya Yas Out" ... he's the guy that introduces the Stones as "the Greatest Rock and Roll Band in the World" prior to the distinguishable opening chords of "Jumping Jack Flash". I never thought much about the actual person making that proclamation until I saw the movie "Gimme Shelter" and realized the subtle, but prominent, role the man played during that remarkable 1969 Rolling Stones Tour and more importantly, the Altamont concert. It was seeing the footage of the Altamont concert that Sam Cutler made a lasting impression on me as the sole voice of reason and rational calmness in a raging sea of violence. My desire to read more about that dreadful Altamont concert has been unsatisfied for years, until I stumbled upon Cutler's book. Finally, the scoop on Altamont from someone stuck in the middle of it. Although my reason for purchasing "You Can't Always Get What You Want ..." was centered on Altamont, I received more than I bargained for as Cutler brought me along for a guided tour of the inner circle and workings of two totally divergent bands that serve as icons of the 1960s and rock music: the Rolling Stones and the Grateful Dead. Sam Cutler definitely has a story to tell ... and it is interesting.

While the bulk of "You Can't Always Get What You Want ... " focuses on Cutler's years with the Stones and the Dead, he starts off by detailing his chaotic, dysfunctional and depressing upbringing in post-war England. We follow Cutler as he weaves himself into the fabric of the British rock scene where he makes a name for himself as a competent manager. It is during this time that Cutler also delves into the world of casual drug use that manifests into becoming a major aspect of his life. The opportunity to manage the Rolling Stones on their 1969 tour of America is where Cutler's story begins to kick into full gear and it becomes hard to put his book down. What becomes apparent is that Cutler has no interest in protecting the image of the Rolling Stones as he immediately characterizes the band as being morally corrupt (later in the book, he paints the Grateful Dead as being totally inept from a business standpoint). To highlight this opinion, Cutler thoughtfully injects a brief chapter solely about Mick Taylor, describing the young and talented guitarist as naïve to the decadent, persuasive and destructive power of the Rolling Stones' lifestyle ... something that eventually will break Taylor.

Perhaps the most intriguing part of Cutler's memoir is his recollection of the utter chaos that led up to and eventually defined the ill-fated Altamont free concert at the end of the Stone's American tour. We get a sneak peek into the general indifference of the Stones themselves and a much clearer look at the seedier side of the rock and roll business machine operated by a hodge-podge of dark, shadowy characters. From the disturbingly peculiar high-profile lawyer Melvin Belli to the mysterious and shady John Jaymes, whose unverified claim as a representative of the Chrysler Corporation somehow gave him the access and power to manipulate the (dis)organization of the free concert. Cutler gives us the full "Altamont experience" as he takes us back to the frenetic, drug-and-alcohol drenched event that marked the end of the peace-loving hippy movement with plenty of detail. While Cutler reveals a deeper analysis of a concert that will haunt him for years to come, much of what he reveals is verified by the movie that documents the entire Stones' tour, "Gimme Shelter". Understandably, Cutler displays a degree of bitterness when he is left behind by the Stones in order to handle the fallout of Altamont, which included dealing with a highly agitated Hells Angels motorcycle club ... and no pay.

The transition from the craziness of the Rolling Stones to the laziness of the Grateful Dead is a 180-degree turn. While he portrays the Dead as a band of gypsies that just want to play music, Cutler sees that the band is fiscally unsound and on a course to barely survive financially. As with the handling of Rolling Stones affairs, Cutler's tone is often a bit self-aggrandizing when it comes to "straightening out" the Dead and their issues ... almost to a point in which his anoints himself as being the only rational and competent personal able to fix things. In reality, Cutler's account with the Dead is more a case of being the only stoned and/or drunk adult that could function well-enough while inebriated to make a sound decision or two. Regardless, while he clearly states his unwavering respect for both bands, it is obvious that he cared deeply for the Dead and its members. What makes his journey with the Grateful Dead so enjoyable is that it is so much more relaxing than the hyper-nature of the Rolling Stones. Throughout this segment of the book, Cutler recounts many relaxing and intimate moments with people that would just "hang around" the Dead ... like Janis Joplin.

I believe Sam Cutler has penned an interesting and revealing portrait of two bands he worked so closely with and admired. While Cutler may have a penchant for remembering himself as being the only intelligent, sane and stable individual capable of "handling" bands like the Rolling Stones and Grateful Dead; he has quite an experience to tell and his account of the Altamont concert is worthy in and of itself.

[Don Gorman · Rating 3 out of 5]

(2 1/2). This is a different look at the music business in the 60's and 70's. Cutler had the distinction of being the tour manager for the Stones and the Dead, quite the double dip. There is lots of inside stuff here, some of it accounted for in other books (primarily the Altamount events) but most of it giving the reader an unparalleled look at how things really happen. The writing style is decent and moves along pretty well, especially after we get done with the Altamount debacle and get into his work with the Grateful Dead. Another worthwhile edition to the music maniac's library shelf.

[Gillian Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

I randomly met this man while working at a restaurant in Byron Bay, Australia. I love how humans—all of us—are these optical illusions. There’s no way of knowing just how large a life is just by looking at us. Sam was charming, maybe a little rough around the edges but to look at him you’d never guess the things he’d seen or the moments in history he’d been instrumental in bringing about. We’re all a little like that aren’t we? To look at us isn’t overly spectacular, just another face, yet there’s so much woven into who we are and how we’ve lived. I think that’s why I love memoirs so much, it’s this brief invitation to see behind the curtain. This peek in particular doesn’t disappoint.

[JW · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of anecdotes from Cutler’s time with the Rolling Stones and the Grateful Dead. He had a rollicking time until, all of a sudden, he didn’t. The Stones left him, while he left the Dead. The author was an eyewitness to the shambles that was the Altamont free concert, from beginning to end, and his account is the most gripping part of the book. But all of his stories entertain and place the reader into the hedonistic maelstrom of that era. Sam Cutler does remember the 60s.
The Kindle version only has a minor typo problem with the photo captions.

[Phyllis · Rating 5 out of 5]

up close and personal to two of the biggest bands, the stones and the dead. very interesting. sam was the man who kept everything together as best he could. seemed like herding cats most of the time.

loved the interjection of janis Joplin, Jimi Hendricks, etc.

was the kind of trip you would like got be on the outside looking in but not in the malstrom.

[David Gagen · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great read. Fascinating insight into infamous Rolling Stones Altamont concert and life on the road with the Grateful Dead in the early 70's. The train trip across Canada with assorted Rock luminaries is hilarious.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything a rock and roll memoir should be: no editing of the sex and drugs. It is placed in the last half of the 1960s (Stones and the UK) and the first part of the 1970s (Grateful Dead, European tour etc.)

[Steve Urbauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam Cutler was at the epicenter of 'rock and roll' in 1969-70, and is a great storyteller.

An entertaining read for sure.

[Julian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very interesting book in a lot of ways but Sam's insistence that a lot of the music could not have been made without drugs is hardly likely to win him friends.

[Simon Sweetman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really enjoyable read from a guy (who can write) that worked w/ both The Stones and The Grateful Dead; met everyone, did drugs with most of them, lived to tell his tale...

[Grayson Mcclellan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal Book! Pairs well with Phil Lesh's autobiography

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite a story and an insight into a life and lifestyle behind the scenes of so many ‘rock ‘n roll’ legends.
Well written and easy to read.

[Kenneth Summers · Rating 3 out of 5]

More stones

I would have liked it better if it had more about the stones and less dead. But I did enjoy the inside look at some of The Rolling Stones inner workings

[Tony Foxhoven · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT stories about The Stones and The Dead. Just an absolute blast

[Simon Pockley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A rollicking read which left me with some big questions about the rest of Sam’s life and somehow feeling unsatisfied.