1969



Brian Jones
, (Lewis Brian Hopkin Jones), 7/28/42 - 7/3/69. Born in Chetlenham, England, Brian was an original member of the Rolling Stones. He was a vocalist, keyboardist, guitarist and saxophonist. His death at age 27 made him one of the first members of music's famous who died aged 27 referred to as the “27 Club”. He was known for his excessive drug use and rowdy lifestyle. Brian drowned in his pool while under the influence.

I often wonder what would have happened if Brian had lived. As the story goes, Mick joined the band and he felt pushed out of the spotlight. That's not hard to imagine considering that Mick is bigger than life and there was not enough room on stage for two big egos (that's not a put-down, ego was needed to front this band!). If a picture says a thousand words, then a video clip says even more. This is from 1966.

The Rolling Stones - Ruby Tuesday
via FoxyTunes

19 comments:

Cherokee Billie said...

I became a fan of the rolling stones in 1964. I always thought that Brian Jones was incredibly talented. Every time I saw them it was just amazing what he could do musically. It's unfortunate that his contribution as well as starting the rolling stones has been forgotten. He deserved much more than he got from the other members when they chose to throw him out of the band. They never took any time or sympathy to help him. They never even showed up at his funeral. For those who never heard of Brian Jones realize He started the group, and was their first manager. This group wouldn't exist today if it hadn't been for him.

god bless you,
Cherokee Billie
www.cherokeebillie.com

Bar L. said...

Cherokee, Amen to that! I am appalled when I am talking to a "Stones fan" that has never heard of Brian. I like Mick and the guys and everyone makes mistakes but how they treated him (according to the accounts I've read) is inexusable. I always wonder if he was a threat to Mick and they just wanted him out of the way.

The reason I started this blog with his death was because I wanted everyone who came here to see him first!

Cherokee Billie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Cherokee Billie said...

Dear Layla:

First off I want to thank you for putting up this tribute to so many beautiful talented people that have left this planet.

As I mentioned I saw The Rolling Stones hundreds of times in the nineteen sixties. And Brian stood out the most next to Mick dancing and prancing on stage. He had a quiet presence, but he would always connect to the fans were as the others would not. He seemed to enjoy himself on stage and was always making facial jokes and he would mimic dancing like Mick. I always loved him.

For those who have not heard of him they should rent or buy the movie called, “Stoned.” It shows the beginnings of The Rolling Stones and how much Brian did to get this group famous. Yes, he did drugs, but so did everyone else who was famous at the time. This movie really gets down to what happened to the business of The Rolling Stones.

Listen to the Albums made prior to 1970 and you’re going to here all of the different instruments that Brian played and his Creativity.

God bless your beautiful spirit Brian! You are not forgotten.

Cherokee Billie
www.cherokeebillie.com

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Anonymous said...

You want to know something really eerie? (You left a comment on my blog about my son...) My oldest brother has vintage photos of most of these people on his wall. He's getting ready to market them for sale. Last week, he gave me a choice of one of his prints-- the choice was a closeup shot of Brian Jones or Janis Joplin at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967. I ended up with both!

So nice to meet you!
Debby

Bar L. said...

Hi Debby! Thanks for stopping by here. That IS eerie! I would love to see your brother's collection, it sounds wonderful. You got two good ones !!!

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Cinnamon Girl said...

I'd like to second Cherokee's thoughts on this. Mick and Keith acted like compelete asshats with regards to Brian.

I've heard rumors surrounding his death as well, along the lines that he might have been "helped" to drown.

Just Be Real said...

Wow has it been 40 yrs already? I always loved Brian Jones. Loved the Stones earlier stuff, Between the Buttons favorite album. Brian and Anita were a hot item at one point, until Keithy took over, correct?

Thanks for sharing this post!

Cherokee Billie said...

Yes, it is hard to believe that Brian Jones has been gone for 40 years. whenever I hear the stones music from prior 1969 I always pay attention to the contribution Brian made to the music. as I said before I saw them many times in person and he was always joking and cutting up and connecting with the fans more than the others. You will never be forgotten. Thank you for this blog that lets people know who he was.

Many blessings,
Cherokee Billie

casa da poesia said...

Iwill sing!...

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john said...

Brian Jones was possibly the best pure musician in the band and his knowledge and love of the blues was huge.Not enough attention is given to just how many instruments the man could play.The list is extensive.If Mick and Keith did feel threatened by him,it's understandable in an unfortunate kind of way.Had he lived and remained with the band,we would probably be looking at a vastly different Rolling Stones today.

Cherokee Billie said...

I agree Brian Jones was far more of a musician than the rest of the band. So many people do not realize that he was the founder of The Rolling Stones. July 3 he will have been dead 42 years. It’s hard to believe because I saw the Stones perform starting in 1964, but never can to see them after the loss of Brian. Great post, Cherokee Billie