Rock N Roll Nanny had all the makings of a book I normally dive into and read in a night, but I just couldn't get into it. She did lead (and likely still does) an interesting even before the Rock stars got involved, and the book does offer you a voyeuristic view of her life. Sadly it was not my cup of tea, perhaps it's the writing style.

A bold, honest memoir from a woman who is clearly a formidable organiser and passionate about charitable work. The title and blurb of the book are perhaps a little misleading as the 'rock 'n' roll' element is maybe only half of it and the 'nanny' element even less.

After being trained as a Norland nurse (a prestigious kind of nanny favoured by the rich and famous), Sally took care of Jade, the baby daughter of Mick and Bianca Jagger. It was certainly a rollercoaster of an experience. She then got into managing rock bands' tours, including The Who, The Rolling Stones and Lynyrd Skynyrd. It was awfully stressful trying to keep these 'naughty boys' in check and clearing up after them - Sally's nannying skills were useful! But she did brilliantly, especially as a woman in a man's world as it was back then. Then tragedy struck as Lynyrd Skynyrd were in a plane crash which claimed the life of her fiancé, Dean, as well as several others. Sally also narrates her later years, which included working with classical music, fundraising for charity events, setting up her own company, surviving breast cancer and travelling the world.

Generally this is a very good read and Sally is justifiably proud of her achievements. Even the things to be less proud of, such as using cocaine, are told in a matter-of-fact way. The style is straight-forward and appealing. I felt that the content could have been more selective, as quite often it seemed to skim over her action-packed life without focusing on details. There was too much name-dropping. I don't see the point of mentioning who was at this or that event if they don't have a role in the story. Towards the end of the book, quite a lot of letters, speeches, articles and suchlike were copied out. While they undoubtedly illustrate Sally's impact and integrity, they were not interesting to read and I found myself skipping them.

[Review will be on my blog, 5th October]

This book was a good read if you enjoy reading about the backstage lives of rock groups. Sally meet a lot of different people and worked with some of the big names in Rock and Roll. She gives us a really good idea how hard it is to have control and keep the artist out of trouble. The title of the book and the description didn’t give a true picture of what most of the book is about. It is more about being a Nanny/babysitter to rock stars than about being a nanny to their kids.

This was a wonderful book. It's not often that someone can learn intimate details of rock idols and their lives, but this one lives up to its name.

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.

What from the distance looked alluring was tiring, frustrating, and required her to be on alert and ready at all hours. Just reading the tasks she handled, from setting up offices to supervising stage set-up and frequently not-very-cooperative artists, to managing to herd the often egotistical, wasted performers on stage, was exhausting. From working as a nanny, honest, she was trained at a highly respected school, for Mick and Bianca Jagger after the birth of Jade, to working on all aspects of mega-shows for the likes of the Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Rolling Stones, the Who and others, to charity events that brought her into contact with the likes of royalty, Arnold navigated it all in an admirable way.

That said, tho' I'm probably odd man out here, I found myself as intrigued by her early travels as her rock'n'roll experiences. True, reading of how she taught Mick how to change a "nappy" (British terms used) to Charlie Watts taking her shopping for baby supplies for Jade added a touch of reality, but so, too, did her experiences traveling to the likes of China and Russia via the Trans-Siberian Railroad. This was at a time when foreign travelers of either sex there were rare and not only looked at with suspicion but frequent targets of theft. Amazingly, she seemed to love every moment of it, even being held for a time when her Visa proved incorrect. She also details later travels that are a delight to read but I was most impressed by her courage as a young girl taking on her dream of travel against some pretty big odds. Her experiences and travel both seem to have colored her world.

Those with an interest in not just rock'n'roll but how the music/touring industry works will find this a fascinating read. If you're into travel and other cultures, so much the better. There's lots of name-dropping, of course, but that doesn't distract from the real story, a young woman overcoming odds to find her place in the world, a world that ultimately included surviving cancer.

Thanks #NetGalley and #SilverwoodBooks for introducing me to Sally Arnold. What a fascinating life she has led.

What an interesting life adventure. You couldn't plan for a varied career as Sally had.
As a concert goers we never consider the planning, logistics of planning a concert let alone a tour.
This is an eye opener in to the amount of work needed and then add the ego's of the performers in to the mix.
Working to set up event's for charities and setting up own business.
A rollercoaster of experience and knowledge with big names. A fascinating glimpse behind the scenes.

The music industry fascinates me and I am beyond excited to acquire this for our branch and share my thoughts. I can’t wait to read Sally’s behind the scenes stories touring with some of the most popular acts of her time. Many more thoughts and insight to follow.

The incredible true story of a farmer’s daughter from Wiltshire who became rock'n'roll’s first female Tour Manager, working with the Rolling Stones, The Who, Peter Gabriel, Mike Oldfield and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

While Sally Arnold’s story reads like a Hollywood biopic, things began rather quietly: she was raised on a farm in Wiltshire and trained as a Norland Nurse. However, when she landed a job as nanny to Mick and Bianca Jagger’s daughter, Sally’s life changed forever. From living with the Jaggers, she would go on to work for the Rolling Stones, The Who, Peter Gabriel, Mike Oldfield and Lynyrd Skynyrd, becoming the first female Tour Manager in the rock business. It was a heady, glamourous time, but one also tainted by misfortune. Sally was engaged to Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Stage Manager when the band’s plane crashed in 1977, tragically killing her fiancé and several of her friends.

Sally’s fascinating memoir lifts the lid on these intoxicating and often turbulent times. Her deeply personal story reveals the truth of an era filled with icons, music, drugs and sex. As a trailblazer for women in the music industry, not only has she known many of rock'n'roll’s biggest names personally, socialised with royalty and rubbed shoulders with members of state, but she has also lived and influenced a cultural zenith. 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.