I have been watching the new documentary, ” My Life as a Rolling Stone.” The first episode was about Mick Jagger. I love learning new things about people I’m interested in and I did learn through the history and interviews given for this documentary. I hadn’t known that Mick and Keith were from the same area and were friends in their childhood. Mick’s beginning reminded me of Elvis and his beginnings of attraction to the blues and feeling the music, (which I just learned seeing the movie, “Elvis”. It was interesting to hear Tina Turner say how unimpressed with him, (Jagger). How he always hung around their performances and listened to her explain when she felt he came into his own.
The 2nd episode was of course, Keith Richards. I had read his autobiography, “Life,” and loved it! I was sad when I finished, I just wanted to read more. Anyway, again, always learning new things. Any reference to The Beatles, peeks my attention further and Mick was saying that in the beginning, Keith kept playing, (musically) their songs and it used to drive him crazy. Keith also stated how funny he thought it was that basically The Beatles were doing the same things, (drugs) The Stones were but their manager cleaned them up, so they came off as straighter.
The third episode was about Ron Wood. This episode I learned a lot more. I knew him as being Rod Stewart’s lead guitar player and never knew how he became one of The Rolling Stones. It was interesting that at a very young age, he decided that he “was going to be in that band” I learned about what a great sense of humor he has and how his friendship with Keith is genuine and full of mutual admiration. I liked hearing about his home, (mansion), had all different artists collaborating and partying.
The fourth episode was of course, about Charlie Watts. This one stood out to me of all The Stones, (probably because I knew the least about him). He died just a month ago, August 24, and that is when I learned about his love of jazz. It was extremely interesting and covered his history playing jazz, more than even playing with The Rolling Stones. He is referred to “as the glue that held them together.” I was really taken with him and his leading such a separate life than the others. He was so unique that he brought his relaxed jazz drumming into The Stones music catalog. He was very well dressed, had his clothes custom made. He also had a compulsive behavior, as far as things had to be a certain way. The tribute The Rolling Stones played for him was very touching. I found him fascinating.
I loved this series. I signed up for a 7 day trial for EPIX just to watch, then I cancelled. I don’t know if there are more episodes, if so, at some point I’ll watch them.