Let It Bleed

October 15, 2009
In 1969, Russell was one of 16 people and the only photographer to join the Rolling Stones on their tour of Americaone that was musically triumphant but ended with a free concert at the Altamont Speedway in northern California that was plagued by violence and the tragic death of a fan. Russell's 200-plus photos, most in stark and clear black and white, range from the band rehearsing and relaxing in a bucolic setting before the tour to Mick Jagger in front of a mirror applying makeup to a close-up of Keith Richards intensely tuning up. Wide onstage shots illustrate the band's relationship with their adoring public. Including interviews and comments from many of the members of the touring group and a haunting narrative of the desolation at Altamont, Russell, with Van Der Leun (coauthor, "The Quotable Sherlock Holmes"), presents a definitive and authoritative picture of the Stones. VERDICT Stones fans and music aficionados will want to view and read this dramatic story about an exciting yet traumatic time in the band's history and in Sixties culture.Jim Collins, Morristown-Morris Twp. P.L., NJ

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