When it comes to the Rolling Stones, I’ve always believed that the women in their lives, primarily Anita Pallenberg and Marianne Faithfull were responsible for 95% of the bands “cool factor” and the new book Parachute Women deftly proves that theory. Author Elizabeth Winder starts out with the supreme-goddess-witch Anita Pallenberg as leader of the pack and the first to introduce occult ideas, cool fashion (and LSD) to the inexperienced “spotty schoolboys.” Then comes Marianne with her otherworldly charm and deep knowledge of poetry and the classics—she gave Mick the romanticism bug. Marsha Hunt (who had a child with Mick), hipped him to Black culture; and finally Bianca Pérez-Mora Macías who taught him how to be an aristocrat.
Each section of the book goes through the four respective relationships of these remarkable women and gives multiple examples of their influence rubbing off on the guys. Personally I would love an entire book just about Anita, as to me she is the most complex and decadent of the four, but as a whole, the book makes its case firmly; these women helped the Stones create their bad boy personas that they became known for. It’s a lot of fun looking back at the fascinating 60s and 70s London music scene, (the book contains great photos) and this release clearly shows that even when women were powerful, intimidating, and deeply talented, their stories get delegated to just the “girlfriends,” yet their lives were just as, if not more interesting than the boys’!
Parachute Women, (Hachette Books)
(left to right) Marianne, Brian Jones, Anita, unknown. 1967 (Getty Images)
Marsha Hunt with her and Mick’s daughter Karis in 1972 (Getty Images)
Mick and Bianca on their wedding day 1972 (Getty Images)
Top Image: Anita and Keith in Cannes. 1967 (Getty Images)
All images courtesy of Hachette/ Getty Images
