Sex drugs and rock and roll. The Nanny for Jade Jagger tells her story of how she goes from being a nanny to ending up being the first female tour manager. Sally Arnold’s life is for anyone who is interested in rock and roll and all that goes on behind the scenes. A fabulous book by a person that I had never heard of or paid attention to, me being a Stones fan from the sixties. There are pictures to go along her story, and I just found this book to be more than entertaining but a fantastic read.

From being the nanny to Jade Jagger Sally Arnold ends up being the first female tour manager.
I loved it.
It was so interesting, I didn't want to put it down
Obviously there is sex drugs and rock and roll, but this is one of the best memoirs I have read in a ;long time.
I recommend this to anybody interested in music'
She has had an amazing life, and shared it with us in an entertaining way.

Insightful and eye opening…… Rock N Roll Nanny contains exclusive photographs and insights into the life of this remarkable woman, who made it in a man’s world against the odds.

Who knew I'd be crying over Lynyrd Skynyrd today? Not me, and yet it happened multiple times while reading the book.

It's safe to say those were my favourite parts of Rock N Roll Nanny, because the love Sally Arnold has for them and their music really shines through.

I loved reading about her time managing other bands too, it's always interesting to see into the lives of famous rock stars. And if you're looking for a book that does just that, then you're in luck, there's plenty of anecdotes to keep you entertained.

Other parts of the book cover Sally's life pre and post nannying and band management, and they're slightly less interesting than the band portions, but I wasn't bored while reading them.

As someone who likes to travel I really love that Sally visited so many countries, including Yugoslavia. I wish she had some better experiences there (I'm biased), but you can't control that. I wouldn't mind another book full of travel adventures.

Sally is also the first woman to have her mastectomy scar tattooed which I think is super cool.

Overall this was a pretty good read, one that I want on my shelf so I can read it again (and continue crying).

*Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

An intriguing and entertaining biography of the first female tour organiser. A woman with a full and rewarding life and plenty of stories to tell.
I thoroughly enjoyed this biography and it's highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

I loved the first half of Sally's memoir where she detailed her experiences working as a nanny for Mick & Bianca Jagger, followed by becoming a tour manager for high-profile bands such as The Who, Rolling Stones, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Her engagement to Lynyrd Skynyrd's stage manager ended in tragedy when he was killed in the plane crash that involved other members of the band.

The second half continued Sally's fascinating life but got a little bogged down by the inclusion of articles and details about her travels. And I really believe she could have used an editor to cut down on the number of exclamation points!

Fans of early rock 'n roll memoirs will find this most interesting, especially her reports about managing the tours of The Who, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and other notable bands of the time. For other memoirs of rock's notable celebrities, also try Pattie Boyd's "Wonderful Tonight" and for more backstage stories, James Wright's "Rock Roadie."

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance digital reading copy.

I love a rock n roll memoir so this book was just my kind of read! Sally's story of training to be a nanny and then getting a job working for Mick Jagger and what this led to in terms of becoming tour manager for some of the biggest bands of the day was fascinating. I did find this memoir lacked some reflection on the past, which was a shame but I still enjoyed hearing all of Sally's stories. The chapters about Lynyrd Skynyrd were the most reflective and interesting to me. It was heartbreaking to read about the fatal plane crash from Sally's point of view, and this is the part of the book that has really stayed with me. Sally has definitely lived an incredible life and I enjoyed reading about it.

4 Fly On The Wall Stars
* * * * Spoiler Free-A Quick Review
I don't know about you but anytime I can "live" vicariously through the eyes and stories of another, I will run right toward it. The idea of a woman who first started out being part of the Rock and Roll time, first as a nanny to a famous kid, and then coming into her own managing these types of bands and artists, I am all there.

The times were so unique, with so many social changes, and obstacles to deal with...

Fascinating.

Loved this book! Sally Arnold has led a fascinating life, with many highs and lows. She starts out as a nanny to Jade Jagger, but as she gets older, her career evolves into managing tours for bands, including the Who, and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

So interesting reading all the behind the scenes of the rock stars, the work that goes into organizing a tour, and the many hats you have to wear. Rock and Roll Nanny, indeed!

The blurb of this book really intrigued me and it definitely was an engrossing memoir of her life and early in her career being a nanny for Jade Jagger. This book evolved into so much more - she has incredible experiences managing tours for bands such as the Who, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Peter Gabriel, among others. There are funny and tragic moments in her memoir. I grew so much to like her and care about her in reading this that when she included many letters of thanks and other acknowledgements from others, instead of getting tiresome, it actually endeared her even more to me -- I felt like a proud mother! I recommend this book for readers who like learning about the behind-the-scenes of working with rock stars (some with big egos and many who were deeply caring). I really enjoyed this book and appreciate Sally Arnold's willingness to tell her story.

Thank you to Netgalley and Silverwood Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is one of the best biographies/ memoirs that I've ever read. Not only is Sally Arnold's life interesting and entertaining, she leads us through the worst times in her life with the same amount of positive energy as the good times.

I love memoirs and music, so this was right up my street. Can you even begin to imagine cooking a Christmas Dinner for Mick Jagger? And I'm still in absolute awe of Arnold being in the presence of my idol Keith Richards!

Arnold has had a glittering career as tour manager for some of rocks finest, including the Stones, The Who, and Lynrd Skynrd to name but a few.

It was fascinating to see what happens on the flip side of the sex, drugs and rock n roll scenario and Arnold's memoir is candid, colourful and definitely not the easiest. She also shares some poignant moments including her personal battle with breast cancer and the loss of her partner who tragically lost his life in a plane crash.

Entertaining, emotional and absolutely engrossing.

Many thanks to Literally PR for my tour spot.

Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rock N Roll Nanny- Sally Arnold

Rock N Roll Nanny is a memoir by Sally Arnold, a woman raised in a prestigious family in England who eventually helped build the foundation of classic rock.

Sally Arnold started her rock and roll journey nannying for Mick Jagger’s baby in 1971. She quickly developed relationships with various rockstars and musicians. Her relationship with Lynyrd Skynyrd was my favorite part to read about. It is the sweetest thing to read her behind the scenes experiences and it’s incredible how much work goes into being a tour manager. I was heartbroken every time she mentioned the plane crash and couldn’t believe how close she was to boarding that plane.

This memoir describes a life very well lived, and one that had so much purpose. The various charities and her gratitude for growing up in such a privileged way was humbling.

Thank you NetGalley and Silverwood Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review before publication! Highly recommend for anyone who is interested in classic rock and celebrity biographies.

My thanks to NetGalley and Silverwood Books for a copy of “Rock N Roll Nanny “ for an honest review.

What a varied and interesting life Sally Arnold has led.!
The book is entertaining and told with great frankness ,and it gives a perfect insight into the life of those in the music industry, and beyond ,. good and bad .
Another book to add to my recommendations.

Sally Arnold lived the rock'n'roll fantasy that most fans could only dream about. Hanging out with famous musicians, meeting the rich and famous, and seeing exotic places are only the surface of that reality, however. Even with some background in concert photography and interviewing many an artist myself back in "the good ol' days", I was astonished to read of the unending, constantly changing list of responsibilities she shouldered just to get the artist onstage, let alone keep them alive and healthy.

Sally Arnold’s memoir is enjoyable read and romp into a very interesting life.
Whether a nanny to Mick and Bianca Jagger, working with The Who, The Rolling Stones, Lynyrd Skynyrd or various charity events, Sally shares memorable moments, the highs and lows, the glories and her own personal hurdles. Her time in swinging London is vivid as she enters into the most creative period in music and will make her mark as the first female tour manager. I enjoyed the reminisces of her time spent with Charlie Watts, Mick Jagger, Pete Townsend and Peter Gabriel . They give a unique perspective into their lives. After Sally left the music industry and her charitable work, she fought a battle with breast cancer and once again, came through as a survivor.
This is a story of will and determination told with candor and heart.
Well done!
Thank you NetGalley, Sally Arnold and Silverwood Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest book review

A cracking read, very hard to put down. I particularly enjoyed the time Sally spent with the Jaggers', it was a real eye opener.

I am grateful to NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

In this book, the author tells her story as a young woman with a multi-decade career in the music industry beginning in the 1960 in the UK. The author encountered rich, famous, talented people from the music and other industries, in the UK, Europe and the USA. The title, “Rock N Roll Nanny” refers to one of her first music industry jobs as the nanny to the daughter of Mick and Bianca Jagger. She goes on to various management roles in the industry, with much of her career and a significant part of this book, about her life as a tour manager for bands. Although she was only a nanny for a short period of time, the titles also reflects her attitude managing adult men in bands, most of whom are uneducated, immature, immoral and irresponsible in their behaviours and lifestyle choices.

Early chapters cover her upbringing and education. Readers may decide to skim over the early chapters, although I quite enjoyed them. It is often interesting to read about life in the long post-World War II era in the UK, and in the authors case, the remarkable family, eclectic friends and associates that populate her early life.

As a young adult, her descriptions of London in the 60s are of course ‘swinging’ and provide her with an introduction to the music industry. The book describes how she became the Jagger’s nanny, moving on to managing UK and US bands and their tours. Later chapters describe her gradual withdrawal from the mainstream music industry as she applies her skills to various charity organisation and events.

Given the author is revisiting events with the benefit of hindsight, it is remarkable how tolerant and forgiving she is regarding predatory male behaviour in the music industry. This is not a book for the #metoo generation !

I also wonder about the blasé descriptions of drug use and abuse, given the damage the author has observed over the years with so many people close to her. I’m sure it was all jolly good fun at the time, but as the damage to users and their families accumulates, I would have thought a more nuanced description to drug abuse might have been applied to the behaviour described.

The author encounters many famous people in her career, mostly from the music world but also in other areas, including arts, politics and business. These anecdotes are somewhat interesting, but not particularly revealing or remarkable. Most of the musicians reputations are not enhanced by the authors description of events, attitudes and behaviour. Among the many mentioned, a couple do seem to be genuinely decent human beings. Peter Gabriel and Charlie Watts for example; these gentlemen are already well regarded due to their behaviours and activities over many years.

Other musicians, in particular the other Stones and the Who for example, seem immature, unpleasant and oblivious to lesser mortals in their ‘glamorous’ circles as they live their transient and sometimes sordid lives. The lifestyles of rich and famous musicians is well covered in many other books on the music industry. This book however adds a new perspective, from the author who was there, albeit in the background. And sober. Someone had to be ! She made sure all the behind-the-scenes business and logistics of a music tour was in place and enabled multiple date tours to happen successfully. As a woman in the music industry, she is a trailblazer and inspiration to others who may want to succeed in male-dominated industries.

After the Stones and the Who, the author writes about her time managing multiple tours of Lynyrd Skynyrd, in the UK, Europe and the US. She was obviously very close to this band and her description of events leading up to the plane crash and in particular, the aftermath is moving and poignant. In her writing about Lynyrd Skynyrd, she clearly loves both the music and the people. Even given their many faults, poor behaviours and lifestyle choices ! The chapters about this band really are the heart of this book, in many ways.

The author moves on from Lynyrd Skynyrd and discusses the ups and downs of music industry management, and her gradual move away from band and tour management. She uses her skills and contacts to pursue a successful career with various music industry charities and events. It is noteworthy how kind and generous are the essential behind-the-scenes people who assist the author over many years of charity events.

The book concludes with some chapters on the authors travels, family, friends and her health. Well-deserved accolades and acknowledgements finally come late in her life.

I enjoyed this book although the material covered has been written about in many times in books, magazines and other media. The perspective of this book is new. That of a successful woman managing music bands and their tours. The author recounts stories and events with the many famous people she has encountered during her music industry years.

I am surprised at the tolerance and naivety shown to the slightly nasty, unscrupulous and borderline criminal behaviour of so many people the author still considered friends or ‘great’ people, to be admired. Foolhardy drug use and predatory sexual behaviour is treated lightly, even joked about, with little regard to the damage inflicted on individuals, children, families and friends. Given hindsight, I think these aspects could have been covered with more care, understanding and nuance.

Nevertheless, I think this book will find an audience of people who are interested in not only the music of the 1960s to 1990s, but also in the lifestyles and behind-the-scenes of the music industry and tours. The book may also be an inspiration to women pursuing a career in an industry dominated by men.

Many contemporaneous photographs are included with the text. These are mostly private, unposed snapshots and bring an intimacy to the relationships the author has had with many people throughout her career. Letters, speeches and other written material, often related to charity events, is also reproduced, providing further details of the authors relationships to those with whom she has worked. I wish the author and publishers all the very best with this book.

Rock N Roll Nanny by Sally Arnold was hard to put down. From her start as nanny for Mick and Bianca Jagger to her wild times with The Who, the Stones and Lynyrd Skynyrd, Sally made her mark and became the first female tour manager. The chapters about her time with Lynyrd Skynyrd had me reading late into the night and I had to watch their Old Grey Whistle Test performance on YouTube, as Sally suggested in the book. I also watched the clips of Peter Towhshend On The South Bank Show, part 5 which Sally was included in. After her time in the music industry ended, Sally focused on charitable endeavors and battled breast cancer. I loved all of her stories about her time with the bands and really enjoyed the photos she included.

Thank you to Silverwood Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

3.5 Stars

This is a memoir from a very attractive, intelligent and talented lady from England who trained to be a professional nanny along with a bit of nursing. She was recommended to work for Mick and Bianca Jagger when their daughter Jade was born in 1971. From there she transitioned to working for rock bands in various capacities such as road manager and manager for musical talents such as Peter Gabriel, The Who and Lynyrd Skynyrd. I was particularly keen on reading about her relationship with Lynyrd Skynyrd as their tragic story is riveting and she was there for all of it. In fact, she almost boarded the plane that ultimately crashed in 1977 killing three band members and her beloved fiancee, assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick.

I marveled at how much she moved around, renting or selling apartments and cottages as her work situations evolved. She also worked for various charity entities setting up events, eventually starting her own event planning company. She even sat side by side with Princess Diana for some charity events, with some down to earth conversations to share, as well as photos of them together. Sally also collaborated with iconic Hollywood actor Paul Newman to utilize proceeds from his "Newman's Own" brand to funnel into UK charities.

Over the decades Sally had a multitude of romantic entanglements as she navigated celebrity circles, but none seemed to compare to her beloved and handsome Dean Kilpatrick who had tragically died in the Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash in 1977. She travelled a lot when she needed to unwind after flitting from job to job and working so hard. She also battled breast cancer, but came out the other side unable to really work again. All in all this was an interesting memoir because of her energy, fearlessness in trying new things, and rubbing shoulders with many celebrities and rock stars. There are many personal photos of Sally Arnold with the rich and famous interspersed throughout the book. However, I did get bored reading about some charity projects she got involved with when she got into the weeds about them. I was more into the "Skynyrd" areas of the book...and that's OK!

Thank you to the publisher Silverwood Books for providing an advance reader copy via NetGalley.