Under Their Thumb by Bill German Summary

Under Their Thumb chronicles Bill German’s 17-year journey as a teenage Rolling Stones fan who launched the Beggars Banquet fanzine, eventually becoming an insider documenting the band’s highs (global tours, creative sessions) and lows (internal feuds, excesses). The updated edition includes 40+ pages of new material and 30+ never-before-seen photos celebrating the Stones’ 60th anniversary.

This memoir appeals to die-hard Rolling Stones fans, music journalists, and pop culture historians. It’s particularly valuable for readers interested in 1980s-90s rock history, fanzine culture, or candid behind-the-scenes accounts of celebrity ecosystems. Aspiring journalists will also appreciate German’s grassroots storytelling journey.

Yes, for its unfiltered portrayal of fame’s toll and rare Stones anecdotes. While praised for its "warts-and-all" authenticity, some critics note it occasionally fixates on minutiae over broader insights. The 2025 update enhances its value with new photos and retrospective context.

German sacrificed relationships, financial stability, and mental health, often prioritizing the band over basic needs. He describes neglecting dating, career opportunities, and even medical care, later confronting suicidal thoughts amid identity struggles tied to the Stones’ orbit.

The band praised Beggars Banquet early on, giving German unprecedented access to private sessions, homes, and global tours. Mick Jagger reportedly called it “the only Stones newsletter that matters,” while Ron Wood and Keith Richards treated German as a trusted chronicler.

Yes. German witnessed their tense dynamic firsthand, including studio clashes during Steel Wheels and Jagger’s dismissive attitude toward Richards’ solo projects. The book details how German navigated loyalty pressures while reporting.

German attended private jam sessions, backstage negotiations, and intimate gatherings at band members’ homes. He traveled globally with the group, witnessing Mick’s meticulous image control, Keith’s rebellious antics, and Ron Wood’s substance struggles.

It reveals the Stones’ entourage as a “machine of hangers-on” enabling excess, while German’s obsession led to burnout. The narrative critiques celebrity culture’s exploitation of devotees, contrasting fan idealism with backstage cynicism.

The updated edition features 30+ exclusive photos from German’s archives, including backstage moments, studio sessions, and personal interactions with band members. These visuals complement firsthand accounts of 1980s-90s tours.

German documents their near breakup in the 1980s, creative resurgence with Steel Wheels, and transition into corporate-branded mega-tours. He critiques their shift from rebellious artists to calculated businessmen.

Some readers argue it prioritizes trivial anecdotes over musical analysis, with one reviewer calling parts “a catalog of wasted youth.” Others feel German’s deference to the band limits critical depth.

The 60th-anniversary update adds 40 pages reflecting on the Stones’ legacy, post-1995 activities, and German’s life after leaving their circle. It also expands the photo archive with previously unreleased images.