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Stu
Christian Diemoz

Starring characters of the sixties divide themselves in three main categories: the ones already born on the train to success (like Mick Jagger, or Paul McCartney), the ones who jumped on board, happening to be in the right place at the appropriate moment (Bill Wyman, Ringo Starr) and the ones kindly asked to get off the wagon. The latter are the people who’ll you never see mentioned in the specialized press, and about whom a very few speak about.

Thankfully, as far as the Rolling Stones are concerned, a new book finally comes to invert the trend. “Stu”, by London based publishing company Out-Take, is an experience (calling it a volume wouldn’t be honest, and you’ll soon understand why) that will teach the whole world who Ian Stewart was and why his part in the group game has been capital. To put it as Keith Richards loves: “There have been arguments about this ever since we started and it goes on, but in my opinion whose band is it? It’s Ian Stewart’s band. The Rolling Stones are Ian Stewart’s band”.

Let’s start with some numbers about this outstanding work. “Stu” comes in a private run. This means only 950 copies have been printed and are available to the public. Other 125 went to the contributors, and that’s it. Furthermore to its exclusivity, the book offers 432 pages, featuring more than 550 pictures (basically, all never seen before and taken from the archives of band members and personal Ian’s friends), to illustrate an 80.000 characters text. All this, displayed in a top notch layout. The narrating scheme is as simple and effective as ever: page after page, the souvenirs of contributors succeed, from the early days of Stu’s life, to the 1985 gig at the 100 Club, held by the group to commemorate him.

Talking about people who handed memories to the production team, it’s mandatory to mention that “Stu” is the first volume ever providing all six surviving Stones contributions (and, trust me, having Bill Wyman to speak outside one of his projects is nowadays hard as hell). More than this, you’ll be able to read interesting thoughts from the persons normally remaining in the shadow, as it usually happens for entourage members. Have they been with the band for a lifetime (Sherry Daly, Jim Callaghan), or just some seasons (Georgia Bergman), they’re in. Not to forget, then, all the big names in the biz: Andrew Loog Oldham, Ahmet Ertegun, Jimmy Page, Glyn Johns, Chuck Leavell. The list of text contributors is eighty names long, and it would wipe all our space to be published in its entirety. What has to be said, nonetheless, is that such a rich bouquet of people has been rarely grouped for a tribute. This is a highly significant detail of the main feelings about Ian being love and respect.

Someone, at this point, could object about a very good cover (by the way, “Stu” comes hand-bound in leather), but a poor content. How could you pretend that such long-time music engaged characters have something fresh and new to tell us? Well, don’t take this track, you would end up with a false start. The book is more instructive than a lot of works specifically focalizing on the band, “According To The Rolling Stones” included. Contributions are heartfelt and sincere: it’s not just a visual and business operation. Did you know that Ian, in 1977, remained close to Keith in Toronto, when everyone else, aware of the soon to happen police bust, just ran away from him? Did you know that Stu is the man who created and maintained, basically on his own, the Rolling Stones Mobile studio? Did you know that Andrew Oldham (the producer who called our Scottish guy off the band pictures) and Mr. Stewart, despite their grievances, were in total agreement over the potential for “Satisfaction”? If you answered “no” at least two times, there you have another good point about the importance of the book.

So - would be your question now - can something remain to be highlighted on this work? Three other details have to. First of all, as an exquisite bonus, each copy of book includes an accompanying signed and numbered edition screen-print of Stu, especially drawn by Ronnie Wood. A slipcase houses this book & folio set. Then, researchers will find their meat in a highly detailed Ian discography (compiled by specialist Felix Aeppli) and in the interview accorded by our man to Robert Greenfield, during the 1972 Stones Touring Party. In the end, Mr. Stewart’s family trusted Out-Take and allowed their researchers to access Stu’s vault. Who dug it, told of absolutely charming discoveries, like a very interesting jazz records collection. His wife Cynthia Dillane and son Gilles also added their personal memories to the text.

Last, but not least, the price. “Stu” can be yours on the site www. Out-Take.co.uk for 570 UK pounds, plus shipping and handling. Well, you’ll have understood this is not a common work, but, more than justifying this choice, the better advice on the matter comes from Out- Take CEO, William Nash. “In the case of books on bands, - he told us - many fans simply want facts in the cheapest format possible, or they would rather spend money on memorabilia or bootlegs or whatever. In the case of ‘Stu’, the book is not expensive for what it is. The edition (which is a private run) is restricted, that is for a leather bound book, with traditional hand-marbled endpapers and an accompanying folio containing a signed and numbered Ronnie Wood print housed in a slipcase. The book itself was printed to a specification higher than ever attempted in the musical field, including Tri-tone black & white images as well as 5 colour throughout. Whatever way you apply a value to this, it is a considerable favourable page per pound spent ratio however one values an original print. I accept that fine art books are not necessary for every fan, but for book collectors this is and has been a very desired item as the acclaim from contributors’ and buyers all attest too”. Everyone is obviously free to made his own view, but, having seen the book, this is a fair enough opinion. If the Stones mean something for you, get “Stu”. If he had not existed, now you would not have a band to breathe for!

rather well. Stu, though its price tag means it’s more of an investment than an idle read, is an essential addition to that teetering pile - and an especially heartfelt one as well.