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Miss O'Dell: My Hard Days and Long Nights with The Beatles,The Stones, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, and the Women They Loved Audiobook
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(3.05) - 450 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Chris O'Dell wasn't famous. She wasn't even almost famous. But she was there. She was in the studio when the Beatles recorded The White Album, Abbey Road, and Let It Be, and when Paul recorded "Hey Jude," she sang in the chorus. She was at Ringo's kitchen table when George Harrison said, "You know, Ringo, I'm in love with your wife," and Ringo replied, "Better you than someone we don't know." She typed the lyrics to George Harrison's All Things Must Pass. She lived with George and Pattie Boyd at Friar Park, developed a crush on Eric Clapton, and unwittingly got involved in the famous love story between Eric and Pattie. She's the subject of Leon Russell's "Pisces Apple Lady," a song he wrote to woo her. Other rock legends with whom she was intimate include Ringo, Mick Jagger, and Bob Dylan. She worked with the Rolling Stones as their personal assistant on their infamous 1972 tour and did a drug run for Keith Richards. She's "the woman down the hall" in Joni Mitchell's song "Coyote" about a love triangle on Bob Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue tour. She's the "mystery woman" pictured on the back of the Rolling Stones album Exile on Main Street. She's the "Miss O'Dell" of George Harrison's song about her. Jam-packed with intimate anecdotes, Miss O'Dell is a backstage pass to some of the most momentous events in rock history.
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"This book is one of my favourites for sure. Maybe that's because I am obsessed with the culture surrounding this book. Let's face it, I got to read about The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Joni Mitchell, the Rolling Stones, Queen, Fleetwood Mac, and so many more. And I got to read about them through the eyes of someone who was actually there. If you're into rock and roll, and you want to soak up all you can about the people who most influenced rock and roll, then this is a must-read."
— Nicole (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“She was the ultimate insider…Now at last she tells her story, in devastating detail yet without envy or malice…A rockin’ good [book]."
— Philip Norman, author of Shout! The Beatles in Their Generation -
“A riveting, honest, and brave account of life with the most famous names in rock and roll history…hard work, tough love, huge loss, pain, and gain. I couldn’t put the book down. I just loved it.”
— Pattie Boyd, author of Wonderful Tonight -
“Raudman delivers a stunning wallop of a recording that captures the essence of the stories with easy glamour and raw emotion.”
— Publishers Weekly (audio review) -
“Raudman’s pleasing, often playful voice conveys O’Dell’s endless surprise at her good fortune.”
— Library Journal (audio review) -
“An irresistible memoir…A rock n’ roll fairy tale with a sunny, but gritty, heroine.”
— Kirkus Reviews -
She was the ultimate insider.... Now at last she tells her story, in devastating detail yet without envy or malice.... A rockin' good [book].
— Philip Norman, author of Shout! The Beatles in Their Generation
Miss O'Dell Listener Reviews
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" Loved it! Of course, I like all things Beatle, but this was an insiders' view of the Apple era and of several other superstar groups. Chris' tale has the ring of truth. We all knew these things were going on, but the real story is still amazing. "
— John, 2/14/2014 -
" A remarkably well-written and detailed account of a rock insider (and girlfriend). Obviously based on diary entries since the chronology is scrupulously accurate--unlike most others of the genre. "
— Kevin, 2/4/2014 -
" O'Dell has an interesting tale to tell and she tells it clearly and quickly. The tone is kind, honest, and appreciative. She doesn't dish a bunch of dirt or dwell on evils and excesses, but manages to make the Beatles and the Stones be people, for the most part. On the other hand, there isn't a lot of emotion or analysis, which I suppose is better than a bad attempt at it. An excellent beach reach. "
— Sally, 2/2/2014 -
" Imagine an era when an ordinary fan could simply "fall in" with rock royalty and spend years working with popular music's most amazing talents...and biggest egos. I enjoyed Miss O'Dell more than the similar Wonderful Tonight; the author just seems to come off as more of a real person. "
— Peacegal, 1/27/2014 -
" This book was a fun read. I am a Beatlemaniac and any behind the scenes info on them is great for me. "
— Andrea, 1/27/2014 -
" I wanted more. An incredible story about being in the right place at the right time. Fascinating insight into some amazing legends. The stories were told with candor yet balanced with respect for privacy. She made me feel the glamour and the pain. "
— Dineen, 1/17/2014 -
" I listened to the audio version. This was interesting and entertaining,but I felt she was holding back a lot. The bits about George Harrison and his wife Pattie were enlightening. Until I read Clapton's book and this one,I always thought George worshipped Pattie...apparently not. "
— Darlene, 1/12/2014 -
" A fun and easy read that sends you head-first into the lives of rock gods we'd all like to be closer to. "
— Melissa, 1/7/2014 -
" Fun and lots of dish! "
— Jenny, 12/26/2013 -
" Chris O'Dell gave a wonderful behind the scenes look into the workings of Apple Records, tours with the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young and how crazy the alcohol and drugs permiated the '70s. Good read! "
— Rick, 12/8/2013 -
" Kind of trashy but fascinating. "
— A., 10/23/2013 -
" This was a good read. Would be a 3.5 instead of a 3. It was interesting to read what happened up close and personal during the time. I felt like you actually got to know some of these artists and what they went through. "
— Emily, 9/26/2013 -
" If you remember the 60s (or wish you could) this is a must read! "
— Nancye, 9/14/2013 -
" Fun, easy read. Loads of stories but nothing too juicy. "
— Nicole, 8/18/2013 -
" Sex Drugs and Rock & Roll - loved the book. "
— Rosa, 5/8/2013 -
" An interesting, fast read. Great for anyone that likes the music scene or biographies. "
— Kate, 5/5/2013 -
" Chris O'Dell went to work at Apple Corps when she was 20, met the Beatles, the Stones, Bob Dylan & Eric Clapton. She became one of the first female road managers and had a lot of fun, except for the alcoholism. "
— Chris, 2/13/2013 -
" I loved it! if you love the 60's and the 70s read this book "
— Nicole, 11/19/2012 -
" Kind of a fun read. Wish I'd read this before playing the Beatle Triva game. Insight into the fab four & many more from the perspective of someone who was in the trenches but still having a good time. I'm on sort of a rock & roll kick. "
— Jaynez, 9/28/2012 -
" Fun and informative read, I'm a huge Beatle fan and learned a surprising amount of new information. "
— Neal, 6/9/2012 -
" I'm not sure why I stayed with this til the bitter end, especially since the writing got progressively worse as the book went on. Guess I'm just a sucker for musician gossip, which this was chock full of. "
— Janet, 2/17/2012 -
" this self-righteous woman is quite full of herself and a total mooch through the years of spending time with her rock 'n roll friends. she's just so unlikeable.... "
— Elizabeth, 12/2/2011 -
" I am such a sucker for rock and roll biographies. This one is a nice take on the backstage lifestyle from someone who was there through rock history's most famous moments. Chris O"Dell tells a very intriguing story and it makes you feel like you were there. "
— Mary, 7/11/2011 -
" Continuing my reading of pop culture in the 60's.....really interesting insight into the Beatles off stage life! Loved the book! "
— Laura, 5/29/2011 -
" This book was a fun read. I am a Beatlemaniac and any behind the scenes info on them is great for me. "
— Andrea, 5/22/2011 -
" Fun, easy read. Loads of stories but nothing too juicy. "
— Nicole, 6/16/2010 -
" I loved it! if you love the 60's and the 70s read this book "
— Nicole, 5/16/2010 -
" If you remember the 60s (or wish you could) this is a must read! "
— Nancye, 4/18/2010 -
" Kind of a fun read. Wish I'd read this before playing the Beatle Triva game. Insight into the fab four & many more from the perspective of someone who was in the trenches but still having a good time. I'm on sort of a rock & roll kick. "
— Jaynez, 3/17/2010
About the Authors
Chris O’Dell is a licensed professional counselor, substance abuse counselor, and certified hypnotherapist with a private practice in Tucson, Arizona. She earned her master’s in counseling from Prescott College. From 1968 to 1970, O’Dell worked as a personal assistant at the Beatles’ Apple Corps Ltd. She then became personal assistant to the Rolling Stones and accompanied them on the 1972 Rolling Stones Tour of America. From 1974 to 1984, she served as tour manager for George Harrison; Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young; Bob Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Tour; Jennifer Warnes; and Linda Ronstadt. She was co-owner of a tour promotion company in Frankfurt, Germany, and traveled with Fleetwood Mac, Queen, and Phil Collins as a translator and tour coordinator. She returned to the road briefly with Linda Ronstadt in 2004.
Katherine Ketcham is coauthor of a dozen books, including the bestseller Under the Influence: A Guide to the Myths and Realities of Alcoholism, with James Milam; The Spirituality of Imperfection: Storytelling and the Search for Meaning, with Ernest Kurtz; and Beyond the Influence: Understanding and Defeating Alcoholism, with William F. Ashbury. Over one million copies of her books are currently in print. In addition to her writing career, Kathy works part time at the Juvenile Justice Center and the alternative high school in Walla Walla, Washington, where she has developed an educational curriculum for teenagers with alcohol and other drug problems.
About Renée Raudman
Renée Raudman is an actor and Earphones Award–winning audiobook narrator. She has performed on film, television, radio, and on stage and can also be heard in several video games and hundreds of television and radio voice-overs.