You Can’t Always Get What You Want: My Life with the Rolling Stones, the Grateful Dead and other wonderful Reprobates

This is another one of those ‘insider’ books that focuses on famous celebrities. Rather than a serious biography by some esteemed author, this account is by somebody who actually worked with the artist; or in this case ‘artists’. Such books are hit or miss. Just because someone has rubbed shoulders with the greats doesn’t necessarily translate into a meaningful, interesting retrospective.This one, though, was very entertaining and interesting. Author Sam Cutler holds his audience’s interest throughout while keeping the chapters somewhat succinct. He knows what his audience wants to read about and doesn’t pollute the pages too much with memories of no interest to anyone other than himself.If you haven’t heard of the author, chances are you’ve seen him if you’re a fan of the Rolling Stones and have viewed the somewhat infamous film “Gimme Shelter”. Sam was the band’s tour manager during this time period, and one can see and hear him multiple times during the Altamont fiasco trying to keep the overwhelming chaos of the day somewhat controllable. As Sam Cutler begins this book, he talks briefly about his upbringing, but he wisely keeps this time period to a minimum. He comes of age during the wild unmitigated period of history known as The Sixties. During the era of flower power and acid rock, even some of the most well-known and famous bands were incoherent for much of the time, and you get the feeling that Sam Cutler’s introduction to working for the Rolling Stones was more acid-dripped luck than anything resembling a strong work resume. Fortunately, though, Cutler is the real deal and knows what he’s doing. So it isn’t surprising that the Rolling Stones quickly incorporate him into their inner circle during the pivotal time of 1969.The year of 1969 was a pivotal one for the Rolling Stones, and the tumultuous times weren’t limited to the Altamont concert; although the event did serve as a fetid climax. So, not surprisingly, a good deal of this book is devoted to that one event - the poor planning, the ensuing chaos, and the stabbing of a 17- year old concert goer (which can be viewed on the film, no less). It’s interesting to hear Cutler’s recollections of the event. There isn’t that much that’s earth-shattering, but such an event is always best when told from someone deep on the inside. There are some observations by Cutler that might be new for the novice. One example is that he claims that the Hell’s Angels motorcycle club really didn’t inflict much of the beatings that they’ve become infamously known. The harm, Cutler alleges, was mostly done by the ‘prospects’ of the Hell’s Angels that utilized this event as a recruitment pledge so they could show off to the actual members. Cutler also makes a slight allegation that the whole event may have been conspired by the government, and there were key infiltrators that passed out ‘bad acid’ during the day which caused things to deteriorate throughout the day.Anyway, immediately after the fiasco, the Rolling Stones basically bail the country leaving Cutler to clean up the mess. He then immediately begins working as a manager for the Grateful Dead. The Grateful Dead were also supposed to perform at Altamont but chickened out when the day erupted in senseless brutality. So even though Mick Jagger and company leave the author penniless, he at least has another gig where he can quickly transition.We then follow along with the author’s interesting journeys of touring with The Grateful Dead for a couple of years. There’s acid, booze, loose women, acid, marijuana, cases of cigarettes, and more acid. You wonder how the author, and most everyone else, survived. It seems like every other page, the author begins another story with “We poured drinks and all shared a fat joint….” I mean, I almost became nauseous at times just reading about it. Anyway, a couple years into his tenure as one of the Grateful Dead Managers, he and the band come to an impasse and he’s unceremoniously sacked. And here our story basically ends.He does give a brief epilogue but doesn’t spend time talking about what he’s been up to in the last 40 years. This is probably a good thing since after being a part of the inner circle of The Rolling Stones and The Grateful Dead, he probably rightly assumed that the best part of his story had already been told, so he wisely quits while he’s ahead.This was a fun read. Cutler knows how to tell a good story. True, at times it seems as though the drugs may have taken a bit of a toll on his ability to think in a linear fashion. One example is a chapter in the book titled “Mick Taylor”. He begins the chapter holding his reader’s interest by giving his impressions of Brian Jones’ replacement, but in the middle of the chapter he drifts off and ends up talking about a popular groupie of the time that had a fetish for hot melted butter. I’ll stop there and leave the rest up to your imagination.He definitely has no regrets, even though it seems like he was somewhat screwed by the two famous bands. But in the era of free love, he considers himself lucky for the experiences. Despite his appearance of being a rather serious manager, he definitely never seems to take himself, nor his surroundings very seriously, and it made for an overall pleasant, fun, and educational read.

I was informally introduced to Sam Cutler many, many years ago when I was in the process of wearing out my vinyl copy of the Rolling Stone's live album "Get Your Ya Yas Out" ... he's the guy that introduces the Stones as "the Greatest Rock and Roll Band in the World" prior to the distinguishable opening chords of "Jumping Jack Flash". I never thought much about the actual person making that proclamation until I saw the movie "Gimme Shelter" and realized the subtle, but prominent, role the man played during that remarkable 1969 Rolling Stones Tour and more importantly, the Altamont concert. It was seeing the footage of the Altamont concert that Sam Cutler made a lasting impression on me as the sole voice of reason and rational calmness in a raging sea of violence. My desire to read more about that dreadful Altamont concert has been unsatisfied for years, until I stumbled upon Cutler's book. Finally, the scoop on Altamont from someone stuck in the middle of it. Although my reason for purchasing "You Can't Always Get What You Want ..." was centered on Altamont, I received more than I bargained for as Cutler brought me along for a guided tour of the inner circle and workings of two totally divergent bands that serve as icons of the 1960s and rock music: the Rolling Stones and the Grateful Dead. Sam Cutler definitely has a story to tell ... and it is interesting.While the bulk of "You Can't Always Get What You Want ... " focuses on Cutler's years with the Stones and the Dead, he starts off by detailing his chaotic, dysfunctional and depressing upbringing in post-war England. We follow Cutler as he weaves himself into the fabric of the British rock scene where he makes a name for himself as a competent manager. It is during this time that Cutler also delves into the world of casual drug use that manifests into becoming a major aspect of his life. The opportunity to manage the Rolling Stones on their 1969 tour of America is where Cutler's story begins to kick into full gear and it becomes hard to put his book down. What becomes apparent is that Cutler has no interest in protecting the image of the Rolling Stones as he immediately characterizes the band as being morally corrupt (later in the book, he paints the Grateful Dead as being totally inept from a business standpoint). To highlight this opinion, Cutler thoughtfully injects a brief chapter solely about Mick Taylor, describing the young and talented guitarist as naïve to the decadent, persuasive and destructive power of the Rolling Stones' lifestyle ... something that eventually will break Taylor.Perhaps the most intriguing part of Cutler's memoir is his recollection of the utter chaos that led up to and eventually defined the ill-fated Altamont free concert at the end of the Stone's American tour. We get a sneak peek into the general indifference of the Stones themselves and a much clearer look at the seedier side of the rock and roll business machine operated by a hodge-podge of dark, shadowy characters. From the disturbingly peculiar high-profile lawyer Melvin Belli to the mysterious and shady John Jaymes, whose unverified claim as a representative of the Chrysler Corporation somehow gave him the access and power to manipulate the (dis)organization of the free concert. Cutler gives us the full "Altamont experience" as he takes us back to the frenetic, drug-and-alcohol drenched event that marked the end of the peace-loving hippy movement with plenty of detail. While Cutler reveals a deeper analysis of a concert that will haunt him for years to come, much of what he reveals is verified by the movie that documents the entire Stones' tour, "Gimme Shelter". Understandably, Cutler displays a degree of bitterness when he is left behind by the Stones in order to handle the fallout of Altamont, which included dealing with a highly agitated Hells Angels motorcycle club ... and no pay.The transition from the craziness of the Rolling Stones to the laziness of the Grateful Dead is a 180-degree turn. While he portrays the Dead as a band of gypsies that just want to play music, Cutler sees that the band is fiscally unsound and on a course to barely survive financially. As with the handling of Rolling Stones affairs, Cutler's tone is often a bit self-aggrandizing when it comes to "straightening out" the Dead and their issues ... almost to a point in which his anoints himself as being the only rational and competent personal able to fix things. In reality, Cutler's account with the Dead is more a case of being the only stoned and/or drunk adult that could function well-enough while inebriated to make a sound decision or two. Regardless, while he clearly states his unwavering respect for both bands, it is obvious that he cared deeply for the Dead and its members. What makes his journey with the Grateful Dead so enjoyable is that it is so much more relaxing than the hyper-nature of the Rolling Stones. Throughout this segment of the book, Cutler recounts many relaxing and intimate moments with people that would just "hang around" the Dead ... like Janis Joplin.I believe Sam Cutler has penned an interesting and revealing portrait of two bands he worked so closely with and admired. While Cutler may have a penchant for remembering himself as being the only intelligent, sane and stable individual capable of "handling" bands like the Rolling Stones and Grateful Dead; he has quite an experience to tell and his account of the Altamont concert is worthy in and of itself.

One man’s personal account of a very controversial time in rock history. Well written and always interesting.

Great condition. Great book.

Loved this book

On the road again!

Was pretty old abd looked like it was stolen from a library (as the label says)