MEMO FROM JEFFREY MORGAN’S MEDIA BLACKOUT #357!

SIZZLING BOOK OF THE WEEK: Rolando Rebelo – Rolling Stones Em Portugal (Zebra Publicações) :: I rarely review anything that I’m a part of, but this week I’m making a big exception. What with this being my umpteenth nervous decade as Canada’s Only Rock Critic, you can bet your bottom dollar that my name has cropped up in many a rock bio over the years, either as an original gasbag contributor or as an archived source of raw review meat. But this one tops ’em all—and for good reason.

Y’see, even though I’ve had my writing translated into a number of different funny foreign languages in a number of funny foreign publications all around the world, this is the first time I’ve been part of a 250 page hardcover book that I can’t read a single solitary word of because the entire dag-blamed thing’s in Portuguese.

But who gives a good cahoot when that book is nothing less than a 50th anniversary celebration of the Rolling Stones which contains no less than four separate full page forewords, each of which was written especially for Rolando Rebelo’s book by Mick Jagger; Keith Richards; Charlie Watts; and Ron “I Paint What I Steal” Wood.

What’s that you say? You didn’t know that the Stones and Portugal go way back? Well ya do now and to back up its brag this mammoth memory motel has more period press clippings and full page photos than you can shake a giant inflatable cock at, if that’s your idea of a good time.

My own contribution to Rolling Stones Em Portugal is a previously unpublished review of an Exile On Main St. show that I attended on July 15th 1972, which I immediately wrote afterwards in the heat of the moment and then promptly filed away for the next 40 years—you know, just like I did with all my previously unseen rock ’n’ roll photos; I’m kinda forgetful that way.

Even better, my words are ably illustrated with a spectacular two page color photograph of Mick Jagger and Mick Taylor which was taken the night before on July 14th 1972 in Detroit by friend and collaborator Robert Matheu—whom I wouldn’t meet until thirty years later in 2002. Now that’s rock ’n’ roll.

And speaking of photos, you’ll want to get this book just to see all the other rare shots that author and archivist Rolando Rebelo has managed to dig up. Ever wonder what that small patch sown on the back of Keith’s ’72 stage jeans said? I did for the past four decades until I saw page 48. Ever seen Keith wearing a cheesy patchy mustache? I never did until I accidentally stumbled upon pages 180 and 218. That’s as grisly a looking object as I’ve ever seen.

I could go on but this is one time that I won’t. Instead, click on the publisher’s name at the top of this review and get your own copy—and you’d better make it snappy because there’s only 3,000 of these babies to go around before they’re all gone, which won’t be long. And if you ever happen to find yourself in a funny foreign store in another land, just look for the big Rolling Stones book that says on its back cover:

“Testemunhos exclusivos de: Mick Jagger – Keith Richards – Ronnie Wood – Charlie Watts – Keith Altman – Doug Potash – Pamela Des Barres – John Pasche – Jeffrey Morgan”

Now where’zat ol’ bottom dollar?

Be seeing you!