Death Of A Rolling Stone: The Brian Jones Story
I will not argue the Mr. Jones was an incredibly talented musician. I will not argue that what happened to him was a tragedy. I will, however, argue with anyone who tries to state, as Ms. Aftel does, that what happened to Brian was anybody’s fault but his own. I don’t believe in placing blame on others.
There is a lot of talk in the book about Brian’s insecurity and paranoia. Aftel quotes the three doctors who examined him during his trail for drug possession extensively. In the early 60s, The Priory (the same rehab nursing home Ron Wood visited last year) employed one of the doctors, whom she calls "Dr. Green." This man saw Brian on a weekly basis. All the doctors seem to agree that Brian, though extremely intelligent (his quoted IQ slips a little from 135 at the beginning of the book to 133 at the end – oh those nagging little errors!), was a child who had a tenuous grasp on reality. The testimony of the doctors that stated that prison could seriously and permanently harm Brian was the only reason he was not sentenced to jail.
Insecurity and paranoia cannot excuse some of the things Brian did to other people. His treatment of women, especially those who had his children, was appalling all his life. Even his friends are quoted as saying that Brian could be evil. Aftel describes at least three incidents where he hit his girlfriends. I find it interesting that when quoting Keith on how he and Anita got together there is nothing about how Brian beat Anita in Morocco. Keith and others have mentioned it many times. I get the feeling that Aftel was trying to play down certain aspects of Brian’s personality in order to make him a more tragic figure.
To blame Mick, Keith and Andrew for pushing Brian out of the Stones is stupid. Brian never wrote a song at least not that anyone other than Linda Lawrence ever heard. Aftel prints a song Brian supposedly wrote but if that is a sample I’m glad Mick and Keith were writing for the band. To blame Keith for “stealing” Anita and causing Brian’s final downfall is just childish. In the end, Brian Jones was responsible for his own life (and death). This book will appeal to anyone who wants to see Brian as a “tragic hero” or who wants to blame
Latest Articles