11 Comments

Good take, and personal/journalistic history. For what it’s worth, I always thought Phil

Kaufman’s stunt was low-rent, and unbefitting a real friend, whatever Gram’s alleged wishes. Also off putting that he’s been living off the tale ever since. Unfortunate that he succumbed to Keith Richard’s disease, but seems like he was into things before hooking up with Keef. I don@5 think Stanley Bootb sees Richard’s as to blame, and he knew both men well. Just my nickel bag on the subject.

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Why was it low-rent for Phil to have carried out his promise to Gram? A friend is a friend & commitments made to each other aren't taken lightly. I wasn't aware PK had continued to "live off" that tale, how could he have cashed in on such a morbid saga? Who the heck is Stanley Bootb & why does his his belief/disbelief that Richards contributed to his downfall matter to us?

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Stanley Booth is from Waycross Georgia and Gram’s family lived in Waycross as well. Stanley’s book on The Rolling Stones 1969 tour of America is an excellent read. Stanley met GP on this tour and Gram shared some conversations with Booth.

That’s Stanley Booth and why his recollection is important

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Stanley Booth is the author of “The True Adventures of The Rolling Stones.” He was a close friend of Gram and Keith. Google him.

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I wasn't a big fan of Gram or any of his work; having grown up in the south & certainly not identifying with country music or shooting smack, I just never explored his music at that time, preferring hard rock & anything that wouldn't remind me of rednecks, racism or morose music. That being said, after "getting into" his history, life & work as it was laid out in a couple of documentaries, I gained an appreciation for what he did & how he influenced other rock 'n roll greats that I did like & follow. I never realized he had such a sad life being the epitome of the proverbial "poor little rich boy" who has everything he needed or wanted except what he needed most, responsible loving parents. I simply cannot relate to the kind of soul-sickness that motivates some like Gram to write & live life, as sadly wretched as it may be.

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Thanks for sharing this. Any friend of Grahams is a friend of mine. If you're into the Altamont Burritos set, here's a downloadable link: https://we.tl/t-pCO8TwxuUY

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Thanks for the files

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My pleasure.

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That's Emmy not Amy (my daughter's name...)

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Never fails....listening to Gram and Amy brings me to almost weeping, that deep rising in my chest thru my throat up to the inside of my face and misty eyes. Fault line of the spirit for sure. Respect and gratitude to you, Greg.

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Great story beautifully told.

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