OR

source:wikipedia.org
28 Feb, 1942
03 Jul, 1969
Drowning (Drug Overdose)
British
Singer
27
Brian Jones was an English singer and multi-instrumentalist. He was popularly known as the founder of the Rolling Stones. Brian was born in the Park Nursing Home in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, on 28 February 1942. His birth name was Lewis Brian Hopkin Jones. An infection that happened at the age of four made him prone to asthma. His mother Louisa was a piano teacher and his father Lewis Blount Jones was an aeronautical engineer with an interest in music too. Brian had two sisters. Due to his family background, he was introduced to music at a young age.
Brian Jones became interested in jazz after listening to Cannonball Adderley’s music when he was a teenager. He soon acquired a saxophone and later his parents presented him with an acoustic guitar. He attended local schools and performed well in studies. But he disliked the discipline and rigidity of school life and got into trouble with the school authorities.
Later, he left home to live a bohemian lifestyle. Since he could not maintain this lifestyle for long, he returned home. During the initial years of his musical career, he played at local bars and jazz clubs in London. He became friends with fellow musicians like Alexis Korner, Paul Jones, Jack Bruce, and often performed with them.
In May 1962, he placed an announcement in ‘Jazz News’ inviting musicians to audition for a new R&B group. Pianist Ian Stewart, songster Mick Jagger, and guitarist Keith Richards responded to the announcement. Later bassist Bill Wyman also joined the group, which espoused the name the Rolling Stones. During the band’s early days, Jones played the guitar and the harmonica and also served as a backing voice.
The band released ‘The Rolling Stones’ in 1964, which became one of the year’s biggest sellers in the UK, staying at No. 1 for 12 weeks. Motivated by the success of their first album, the Rolling Stones released their next album ‘The Rolling Stones No. 2’ in 1965. This too was a big success and one of the year’s biggest sellers.
Though the band was achieving success upon success, Brian Jones was going through a very difficult phase. The constant traveling and the pressure of Rolling Stones’ rising fame affected Jones’ mental health. He became addicted to alcohol and drugs. These habits affected his physical health very badly. His musical performance was also affected due to this and his fellow bandmates removed him from the Rolling Stones.
Brian Jones spent his final days at his Cotchford Farm home in Sussex, England. He was struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. On July 3, 1969, Jones was found dead in his swimming pool. He was only 27 years old. The official cause was listed as “death by misadventure.”
Jones left behind a lasting musical legacy. He was a founding member of the Rolling Stones and helped shape their early sound. His skill with many instruments added depth to their music. Jones also influenced fashion and style in the 1960s. Today, he is remembered as a talented but troubled musician who died too young. His contributions to rock music continue to be celebrated by fans around the world.
Brian Jones
Brian Jones
Male
Drowning (Drug Overdose)
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England
Hartfield, East Sussex, England
Campaigner: Enthusiastic, creative and sociable free spirits, who can always find a reason to smile. He displayed great enthusiasm and captivated audiences with his musical talent.
He was also known as Elmo Lewis
He was the first one of the “27 Club” that refers to a number of popular musicians who died at age 27.
Founder Of The Rolling Stones