- This article is about Brian Jones, the musician. There is an article on the aeronaut Brian Jones.
Brian Jones (February 28, 1942 - July 2, 1969) was the original lead guitarist and backing singer behind Mick Jagger in The Rolling Stones. He was also the group's original leader but whereas his intention was to bring the "authentic" rhythm and blues sound to white audiences in the UK, Jagger and second guitarist Keith Richards had their sights set on stardom. Brian gave in to them and gradually gave up control of the group and Keith's image was promoted somewhat more heavily, with him taking more of the spotlight (backing vocals and guitar solos) and Brian receiving less. Nevertheless Brian did show incredible musical skill, having the ability to master a myriad of instruments: throughout his years with the band he played guitar, slide guitar, piano, sitar, dulcimer, mellotron, xylophone, marimbas, recorder, clarinet and several other instruments besides. It is rumoured that, upon being given his first sitar, he went into his room and mastered the complicated instrument within 30 minutes.
However, his self-indulgent lifestyle got the better of him and his career and in early June 1969, he was dropped from the band and replaced by virtuoso guitarist Mick Taylor (who, it was rumoured, had already started working with the band weeks before Brian was sacked under the guise of an "amicable split"). Brian drowned almost a month later, seemingly under the influence of alcohol and sedatives. The coroner's report stated "Death by misadventure." However, his then-girlfriend Anna Wohlin claimed in 2000 that he had been murdered by a builder who had been staying with them renovating the house the couple shared. The builder, Frank Thorogood, reputedly confessed to the murder on his deathbed but passed away before a confession could be recorded by the authorities.
As well as a rock star, Jones was a popular fashion icon. He was of small stature at 5'6", and had an IQ of 135. Living a notorious lifestlye in which he fathered several children to almost as many women and indulged in alcohol and drugs, he was buried in a lavish silver and bronze casket sent for his funeral in Cheltenham, England (Where he was raised and had attended Pate's Grammar School) by friend Bob Dylan.
He recorded, in 1968, Morocco the Master Musicians Of Jajouka, the first person to do so. In 1971, Brian Jones Presents The Pipes Of Pan At Jajouka was released and is thus the first World Music release. Mick Jagger returned to Jajouka in 1989 to record the musicians for the Stones album Steel Wheels. Jones' recording of the Jajouka musicians brought much attention to this and other unique traditions worth knowing about. He expanded many minds and many musical vocabularies.
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