How did Brian Jones die?
The Rolling Stones likely wouldn’t have made it in the early years if it wasn’t for Brian Jones. Although they continued in a new direction long after his departure, Jones was the leader any band could have wished for, someone with a keen eye on what counted and kept up with burgeoning trends so efficaciously he could constantly be one step ahead.
From day one, The Stones’ success always hinged on their collective energy. When Jones first surged forward with a new musical entity, he did so with confidence, even in a space that was becoming immensely oversaturated with rock bands trying to make it. However, The Stones weren’t your usual rock group—they emerged as a celebration of various genres with an attitude that promised never to let up.
The Stones’ authentic rock ‘n’ roll disposition was never a farse—in fact, it was engrained into them from day one and became a significant distinguisher from many that occupied the limelight at the time. Take The Beatles, for instance; aside from accruing global popularity, they did so with a clean, suited and booted image, which was a far cry from everything the Stones represented.
However, ‘lighthearted’ partying soon became a heavy reliance on substances, which, for the most part, were utilised by the various members as ammo for their own personal charge. Keith Richards and Mick Jagger made no qualms about the lifestyle hindering their act in the early days, but others—Jones, to be exact—struggled somewhat to keep up with the fast-paced antics.
This intensified during studio sessions, in which their producer, Jimmy Miller, described the other band members as “workhorses” while Jones began to show signs of lagging. This would significantly contribute to his departure in 1969, though he declared at the time that his decision was rooted in a clash of musical interests: “I want to play my kind of music, which is no longer the Stones’ music.”
So, how did Brian Jones die?
Less than a month later, Jones was found in a swimming pool at his home in Sussex, England. His death was ruled as a drowning, but considering his struggles with substance abuse and various other factors, a lot of controversy stirred from the moment his passing was reported. Some even went as far as to claim foul play or suggest that some other unidentified cause likely occurred, but nothing definitive ever materialised from these accusations.
Nonetheless, Jones’ death came as a shock to many, especially as he was only 27 years old and allegedly looking forward to his next exciting musical chapter. During The Quiet One, former bandmate Bill Wyman recalled witnessing Jones’ mental decline, stating: “I was really sad when Brian started to fall to bits, basically.”
He continued: “We’d be in LA and we’d go out to the clubs, and he’d be on LSD, and he’d be getting out of the limo going, ‘there’s snakes all over the ground!’ He’d be jumping about, saying ‘the ceiling’s on fire!’ I just used to let him get on with it, but he would go off on those tangents.”
Recalling his experience at the funeral, he said his intentions to pay his respects were eclipsed by the immense media attention. As photographers squeezed in to snap pictures of the burial, legions of fans crawled around them to ask for autographs. “It was really sick,” he said, “There was no respect at all. When he went, it really got me bad. [He was] somebody a bit special.”
