Shortly before midnight on the night of July 2, 1969 authorities arrived at Cotchford Farm, the home of Rolling Stones founding member Brian Jones. Under the light of a Sussex moon, near a stone replica of the real Christopher Robin, son of previous owner A.A. Milne, they found a body that had been floating face-down in a swimming pool. The body of Brian Jones.
July 3, 1969: After several failed attempts at resuscitation Brian Jones was pronounced dead. As the sun broke over the sleepy city, Londoners were waking to confused and shocking news reports. That day marked the beginning of one of the most controversial and mysterious rock and roll deaths of all time, a mystery that has never been solved. Over the years witnesses have changed their stories. Rumors have persisted, and grown, that his death, categorized by the coroner as 'death by misadventure', was actually murder.In the annual "Sex and Music" issue (March) of Playboy magazine, on newsstands now, Rolling Stones biographer Robert Greenfield writes about this talented and tragically doomed rock star whose birthday is February 28. He explains the meteoric rise and fall of Brian Jones with an eloquence that few can muster. He describes Jones' unique magnetism, how his musical genius left an indelible mark on the pages of rock and roll history, and what made his death such a fascination that now, more than 40 years later, the case has been reopened and his body is expected to be exhumed. Perhaps there will be an end to the mystery, once and for all.
Brian Jones was my first 'dead crush'. That's the name I've given to dead men whom I've had crushes on over the years. He would be joined later on that list by Marc Bolan, James Dean, Phil Lynott, Bon Scott, and Bob Marley, amongst others. The most recent addition: Heath Ledger. A crush that might have been inappropriate due to the age difference now takes on a hauntingly romantic quality, acceptable only in postmortem.
It never ceases to amaze me when I bring up Brian Jones' name how few people know who he was. Most people know that the Rolling Stones were always considered the 'bad boys' of the British Invasion, that they were the antithesis to The Beatles' squeaky clean, wholesome image. But few know why.
Article comments
1 - Bill Hauk
I was in London when Brian Jones died. The day the news broke I happened to be hanging out with with his physician. He expressed no surprise, or even remorse, since he'd prescribed some of the drugs that may have contributed to his death, but said that Brian was fond of experimenting with combinations of pills, and was known to be fond of garrottage, a risky game for an asthmatic. We'll probably never know how he died, but it was an accident waiting to happen.
2 - A Geek Girl
Bill, I would ask what you were doing hanging out with a drug dealing doc in London in 69, but my imaginings are probably more fun ;)
It's a shame that drugs play a larger part in his biograghy than his music did. But that's the choice he made. I've read the coroner's report on his heart and liver, etc. Definitely on his way to the grave.
But being a drug addict doesn't mean he wasn't murdered. I have no idea what they can find from a body that's been buried more than 40 years. I have a feeling they'll come to the firm conclusion that there is no conclusion.
We'll see...
3 - ROADKING64
AS THE LEADER AND ORIGINAL FOUNDER OF THE ROLLING STONES , BRIAN JONES WAS THE MOST POPULAR AND TALENTED BAR NONE IN THE GROUP , HE COULD PIUCK UP ANY INSTRUMENT AND PLAY IT WITH EASE , HIS REAPETIDLY CLASHES WITH MICK JAGGER AND KIETH RICHARDS WERE AN ON GOING REACURENCE , ITE MY BELIEF THAT JAGGER AND RICHARDS EITHER KILLED BRYAN OR HAD HIM KILLED , AND WHEN THE FUNERAL CAME , NEITHER WERE PRESENT !
4 - A Geek Girl
RoadKing, that is one of the theories I've heard often over the years. And one that I hope will be investigated more fully. Their treatment of him was horrible, but they weren't alone in that. They encouraged his mistreatment by other musicians as well.
I'm afraid that in the death of Brian Jones many people have blood on their hands, even if they were not directly responsible for the events on that night. Brian's insecurity and fragility were used for the brutal amusement of many of his peers during his last years.
That's what makes it important to get a thorough investigation. I'm sure people would be surprised by the behavior of many of their musical heroes and the role they played in Brian's downward spiral.
5 - nothingprofound
Not much to say except I enjoyed reading this. Most likely his death was self-induced or accidental, but it's fun to speculate and propagate these mysteries.
6 - A Geek Girl
NP, It's a very interesting story in rock and roll history. And a sad one. What a waste. I'd love to see some of the questions surrounding his death answered.
7 - Big Sven
I knew Brian in '61-'62, he was a regular visitor at our house in Bromley. He formed the group, he named it, nobody else. He didn't want Jagger in the group, knowing it would be trouble, but Jagger was the 'white-nigger' Brian was looking for and he had to take him. It was suggested to Brian he register the groups name to avoid later problems, and get proper, individual and group contracts drawn up. I believe Brian Epstein did this, but suspect he was the only manager to do so ( I was privileged to have known him when he first came down to London, a nicer, more honourable man you would never meet). I knew Harley Street professors, and they examined Brian to exclaim he was the model example of how somebody with asma could be if they looked after themselves. He was an expert swimmer, and an Italian mercenary, ex-Italian Navy attack scuba-diver called Georgio Norbiato, was VERY embarrassed when Brian beat him in swimming 2 laps UNDERWATER at Downham Baths in South London. Brian always had his 'puffer' with him, leaving it on the side of the pool and telling the attendent and the kids there what it was for, in case he ever had a severe attack, unable to rapidly swim to the side and get his puffer. But Brian was VERY strong, and this had never happened, he was always able to get to his puffer in time to recover. His lifestyle might have softened him enough for that one time to occur? Will a new autopsy tell us? Yes, for a person with asma will NEVER drown. In such cases they will simply suffocate, as they are UNABLE to breath. If Brian drowned... he was murdered.
8 - Gem
After reading Brian Jones: Straight From the Heart, my own heart went to the man. If he was sick, his bandmates should have helped him out. They owed him that much. By mentally and emotionally abusing him for years, they contributed to his ultimate downfall, whether they physically held his head under water or not. I don't know how they sleep at night.
9 - Gem
BTW, Geek Girl, I have the Tony Sanchez book and it isn't all that. Brian Jones: Striaght from the Heart by Gloria Shepherd is a much better book.
10 - A Geek Girl
Sven, those are all good points. I need to find out how they're moving forward with this.
11 - A Geek Girl
Gem, I'll definitely have to check that one out. On your recommendation.
12 - RICHARD J DOLAN
It is my considered opinion that Brian's death was clearly a homicide carried out by at least two persons. The Sussex Police knew this but there was never a thorough investigation. I sincerely hope the new investigation will be very thorough indeed. I have an idea this will not be to the liking of Mick Jagger.
RICHARD J DOLAN / UK 2040 BST 08/08/2010 UK
13 - Anton
RIP Brian, RIP!
14 - Timothy O'Meara
" All I know is I been a fan of the Stones for many yrs.I have read all the mentioned books and a a couple you don't have like Mandy Aftel's book,"Death of a Rolling Stone.I think he was thier best instrumentalist..Unfortunetly he suffered from to much fame and too much Booze and Drugs...Unfortunetly,only Brian know's what really happened."
15 - Candy Kane
I have been a fan of Brian's for many years now, i visited his grave on many occasions.
Recently looking back in to his 'death' i have found some new intresting theory's that he may have been injected with something in the house to at least knock him out before he was carried outside and put in to the pool to make it look like he drowned. I guess it is possble for a coroner to over look a small 'puncture wound' in Brian's body if he was studying a drowning case.
16 - tullio norbiato
7 - Big Sven
Aug 01, 2010 at 4:33 am
writes about Giorgio Norbiato... my name is Tullio Norbiato and I am his brother
My brother Georgio was killed in africa... can you share a bit more of information with me. I did not know my brother was ever in London. I would highly appriciate it and am most grateful. thank you
Tullio
17 - Sam
I was born in 1946 so the Stones were from the first the soundtrack to my growing up - from my mid teens and all through my twenties. I was very much 'Stones' over Beatles and went to quite a few gigs in the 60s and 70s.
So as someone 'who was there', I'm afraid I have to point out that the writer has it pretty wrong here. Young women were always primarily fixated on Mick Jagger as the sexual pull of the Stones, not on Brian nor any other band member, although all of them could pull any woman they wanted in those days. No doubt there were a few girls whose favourite Stone was Brian, but speaking as one who was very much alive and there at the time, I can only tell you that it was always, right from the start, indisputably 'Mick and the boys'.
Jagger was always the central figure, to the world at large and esp to young women. Every girl in the country wanted to screw the bony ass off him. He was the public face of the band, and its spokesperson, always. His sexual magnetism was immense, and palpable; Brian was prettier, but he lacked that visceral pull. Mick became the figurehead not just because he was the singer, but due this sexual magnetism. Maybe you had to be there!
It was different for hardcore musical geeks, most of whom were and are men. For them, the central figures in the band were Brian and Kieth, the musical drivers - and there are also massive fans of the Mick Taylor years. The arguments still rage around the questions of who was the primary musical contributor, and always will. But on all the evidence, it has to be Keith overall.
Brian's problem was that although his contributions were essential and profound esp on many individual tracks, and his varied musical talents were immense and essential to the Stones' early success and unique sound, he was not a songwriter. His lack of skill in this area increasingly marginalised his role in the band he formed. Most of us back then were not even aware he was the founder. Brian didn't help himself with his own impossible behaviour, so often at odds with the rest of the band, which in turn led to his scapegoating and isolation, for which drugs were part cause and part panacea.
As for his death, I've no doubt he was murdered, by one of his employees who was there on the night (there are two candidates of which FK is by far the more likely). Mick and Keith are and always were hard-nosed bastards - a friend of mine is still waiting for credit and payment for an Indian drum session for one of their tracks made around 1967, and Mick Taylor is waiting for a lot more than that. Granted the Glimmer Twins are egocentric tightwads, and it's telling they fell out so bitterly; but to accuse them of a hand in the murder of Brian is imo ridiculous.
18 - Sam
PS As for being the first rock star, that would be Bill Hayley, or maybe Elvis.