Almanac of Story Tellers: Brian Jones

 Every day brings a new story.  And each day contributes to the art of story telling -- in prose and poetry, in music, on the stage, on the screen, and, of course, in books. 

Today is the story of  February 28th

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     It is the 59th day of the year, leaving 306 days remaining in 2022.

    On this day in 1942, Brian Jones, the founder of the Rolling Stones, was born.

 

    In 1962, Jones helped put together the Stones, including its songwriting duo, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. But it was Jones, influenced by the blues musicians that he listened to as a child, who created the legendary sound that told the songwriters' stories from their biting lyrics.

    The Stones were, of course, the "bad boys" of the British Invasion of the 1960s, often compared to the more likeable Beatles. But the Stones, it could be argued, were as popular and more inovative than the Beatles. 

    In large part, that was Jones' doing. He was nominally the group's guitarist, but he played both lead and rhythm guitar, sometimes, in a unique arrangement with Richards, sharing duties simultaneously. He also played the sitar, marimba, and other keyboard and wind instruments seldom heard in the early days of rock and roll.

    But Jones also developed an addiction to alcohol and drugs. As the Stones' popularity grew, he became less dependable, sometimes showing up late or not at all. In 1969, the United States refused to allow him to enter the country for a concert tour. In June of that year, he was replaced with guitarist Mick Taylor.

    In July, Jones was found dead at the bottom of the swimming pool in his home in Hartfield, England. The official cause was "death by misadventure," although rumors have persisted for years about his death.