Monday, July 27, 2009 10:34 PM

MICK TAYLOR

FRANK ZAPPA

BRIAN JONES

{John Mayall w/ Mick Taylor in concer}  

With John Mayall now residing at the Log Cabin, the level of non-stop drop-in guests increased in both Quantity & Quality. The Log Cabin had already earned a reputation as a non-stop party location due to the Freaks' liberal open house, communal, crash pad, philosophy, and the raucous BYOB-BYOD concert/parties that had become a regular Laurel Canyon happening. And to top off the whole package, there were the assortment of young girls who shared Vito & Carl's lifestyle and sexual openness. The cabin usually offered music at all hours due to the ever-present gang of local canyon musicians, who were always ready to get high and jam. And, in addition, the Log Cabin was now home to Frank Zappa & his gang of 'Mothers', plus, John Mayall & his group of prestigious British musician friends.  

MICK TAYLOR

First among these legendary British Blues Greats was a fresh-faced teenager from London, on his first visit to Los Angeles to lay down tracks for the John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers' new album...

Mick Taylor was raised in the London suburb of Hatfield and had been playing guitar since he was nine years old,

It wasn't long before he discovered "the blues", and began to study the styles of American Bluesmen, like Freddie King, Albert King, and many of the older legends. In his early teens, he would sit in with all the obscure local blues acts popping up on the British club scene.

     
At seventeen, he replaced guitarist Peter Green in John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and began to learn the music business from Britain's greatest master, John Mayall. He was already a local club favorite, but now entered the recording studio, appearing on such late ‘60s Mayall albums as Diary of a Band, Crusade, and Bare Wires. By the age of 19, the reserved and somewhat shy lad found himself respected by blues fans, and being the youngest musician in the Bluesbreakers, he was idolized by the young female fans.

But even young Mick was unprepared for what he encountered at THE LOG CABIN. 

BRIAN JONES AND THE ROLLING STONES

{Brian Jones [center] and his band The Rolling Stones}

Keith Richards, Jagger, and The Stones were unhappy with their guitarist, and band co-founder, Brian Jones, and Mick questioned Mayall about the Bluesbreakers' talented teenage guitarist. Mick Jagger had noticed the similarities between young Taylor and his longtime partner, Brian Jones. In addition to Taylor's amazing guitar skills, he noticed that the cabin girls flocked around the shy, good-looking lad, in the same manner as Jagger witnessed ladies in the presence of Brian Jones.
      Maybe we should get acquainted with Mr. Jones...

Brian Jones w/girlfriend, Anita Pallenberg
Lewis Brian Hopkin Jones was born on February 28, 1942 in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England. The son of musical parents, Brian learned clarinet at 14, switched to saxophone upon hearing Cannonball Adderley, and got his first guitar at 17. Two years later, he moved to London and fell in with Alex Korner, Jack Bruce, and others in London's new rhythm & blues scene. By Spring of 1962, Jones had recruited pianist Ian Stewart for his new 'blues' band. He soon added a singer, Mick Jagger, into his band, and then Jagger's close childhood friend, Keith Richards, on guitar. This resulted in the exit of his group's blues purists and the former blues group now embraced the new rock musical style of Chuck Berry.

 Jones, along with Mick & Keith, moved into a Chelsea flat together with Jim Phelge to concentrate on their "new sound". Brian taught Mick to play harmonica, and worked with Keith on guitar.

Together with future "Pretty Things" bassist, Dick Taylor, and drummer Mick Avory (later of The Kinks), the four future Rolling Stones premiered on July 12, 1962, at London's Marquee Club. The success of their first gig convinced the four to find a permanent rhythm section for the group. After many auditions, they selected Bill Wyman on bass, and then persuaded London's hottest jazz drummer, Charlie Watts, to leave Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated and round out their lineup.

Brian Jones and Keith Richards perfected what they heard on 1950s Chicago Blues albums. The best examples can be heard on the first album "The Rolling Stones" & "Out of Our Heads". Starting with the 1966 album "Aftermath", the 1967 albums "Between the Buttons" & "Their Satanic Majesties Request" showcase Jones' multi-instrumental talents throughout.

Under Brian's leadership (he acted as manager & agent, as well) the Rolling Stones became London's hottest new R&B band, attracting fans wherever they performed.
In the early years (1962-1965), Jones also functioned as the Stones harmony singer. Notable examples are "I Wanna Be Your Man," "Can I Get a Witness," and "Walking The Dog." Jones' raspy and gruff backing can also be heard on "Come On," "Bye Bye Johnny," the 12 X 5 recording of "Time Is On My Side," "You Better Move On," ""Money," "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love," "Tell Me (You're Coming Back)" (alongside Jagger, Richards, and Wyman), "Empty Heart" (alongside Jagger and Richards), and "It's All Over Now" with Keith.

Throughout his career, Jones showed exceptional musical aptitude, able to play an array of instruments on Rolling Stones' recordings.

 As soon as the Stones earned enough money to record in professional studios (Olympic, RCA, and LA's Sunset Sound Recorders), Jones started experimenting with wind and stringed instruments to augment the dual guitar Stones sound. Brian was influenced by The Beach Boys 1966 album Pet Sounds as well as The Beatles experimentation with Indian music (notably George Harrison's sitar and tamboura),

Jones' main guitar in the early years was a Gretsch Double Anniversary in two-tone green, but Jones is best known for his signature teardrop-shaped prototype Vox Phantom Mark III. From late 1965 until his death, Jones exclusively used Gibson guitars (Firebirds, ES-330, and Les Pauls), with the exception of his two Rickenbacker 12-Strings.

In addition to the above stringed instruments (guitar, sitar, tamboura, mandolin, Appalachian dulcimer), Brian can also be heard playing keyboards (organ, mellotron), wind instruments (recorder, harmonica) and several other instruments (xylophone and marimba, among others).
Sources close to the Stones claim that Jones could pick any instrument and learn to play it in less than half an hour.

 Jones contributed to the 1960s sound of the Stones, playing slide guitar on "I Wanna Be Your Man," "Little Red Rooster," and "No Expectations"; harmonica on "Come On," "Dear Doctor," "Prodigal Son," "2120 South Michigan Avenue," "I Just Want to Make Love to You," "Look What You've Done," and "Not Fade Away"; tamboura and sitar on "Street Fighting Man" and "Paint It, Black"; organ on "Let's Spend The Night Together," "Complicated," and "2000 Man"; marimba on "Under My Thumb" and "Yesterday's Papers"; recorder on "Ruby Tuesday"; saxophone on "Child of the Moon"; Appalachian dulcimer on "I Am Waiting" and "Lady Jane"; accordion on "Backstreet Girl"; harpsichord on "Sittin' on a Fence"; harpsichord, saxophone, and oboe on "Dandelion"; harpsichord on Lady Jane; mellotron on "She's A Rainbow," "Stray Cat Blues," "We Love You," and on "2000 Light Years from Home"; tambourine on "Can I Get a Witness" and "Tell Me (You're Coming Back)"; and even added autoharp on tracks for "You Got the Silver."

BRIAN'S ESTRANGEMENT FROM THE ROLLING STONES

The next sign was when publicity & promotional veteran, Oldham, convinced the other members of the band that Brian's close friend, and band co-founder, pianist Ian "Stu" Stewart was too big & heavy to fit the band's "Image". Oldham envisioned the Rolling Stones as "The Bad Boy Beatles" and old friend "STU" didn't fit in the picture. Thus, the equal partner & band member's role was reduced to Roadie & hired musical sideman, with no position in the band's royalties or live performance income.

Brian recognized his potential for a similar future. He felt that it was only the fact that he created "The Rolling Stones Image" and was still prominently displaying it in the Public Eye  that he hadn't already met the same fate as Ian Stewart.
 He WAS the frontman, guitar, singer, harmonica - he created Mick & Keith's Personas, looks & Styles. As far as the music - He was content being an equal partner [Nanker Phelge]. And now his limited song ideas were being ignored, his input ignored or reduced to post production over-dubs, because Keith could (and often was) recording both of their guitar parts by overdubbing.  
 NOTE: Jones is largely absent from the 1968 album Beggars Banquet and the 1969 Let it Bleed album, instead featuring guitar weaving by Richards alone or with session musicians such as Ry Cooder and Dave Mason.
 

 Brian Jones' subsequent decline was initiated (reached climax?) before March of 1967, when he realized that Anita Pallenberg, his girlfriend for the last two years, was sleeping with Keith Richards. Worse, they weren't very discreet, and Brian felt that everyone else involved with The Stones was aware of the situation, keeping him isolated from the news. Betrayal can be devastating - when it includes 2 of your closest, most intimate, friends, Crushing...

The Stones had planned a spiritual getaway to Marrakesh, Morocco, a trip similar to the Beatles' prior visit to the Maharishi.
Brian, in particular, had eagerly anticipated the trip, anxious to record the local musicians (he had already arranged for a mobile truck to be shipped), but, most of all, an opportunity to learn many of the Moroccan instruments. Unfortunately, the intimate social interaction of the trip proved uncomfortable for all involved.

Brian had avoided confronting Anita (or Keith) about his suspicions for fear of the trip's cancellation. When sharing a seat in the Moroccan limo with Anita in the middle, and Keith seated at her side, sharing innuendos, and sexual flirtations, Brian was being pushed to his limit, yet suppressed his feelings until the couple reached their hotel room The resultant confrontation left Anita with a black eye, which she made no effort to hide from the group. The following day, Mick & Keith, along with Anita, and most of their entourage, flew back to England while Brian was meeting with the Moroccan groups and expecting to attend a publicity event in the evening.
THE ULTIMATE BETRAYAL!

Pallenberg would later claim that Jones was hospitalized after the fight during which he hit her and broke his wrist;

although as Richards remembers it, Jones simply "fell ill"

Richards later said:
“ That was the final nail in the coffin with me and Brian. He'd never forgive me for that and I don't blame him,
but, hell, shit happens.”

 

Following the much publicized Redlands drug incident at Keith Richards' Sussex home, Jones was arrested for drug possession May 10, 1967. Authorities allegedly found marijuana, cocaine, and methamphetamines.

While management reviewed the legal ramifications, Brian, on the urging from his new friend, Jimi Hendrix, opted to fly to California to attend an event which would become a landmark in Rock History, THE MONTERREY POP FESTIVAL.
It would also be remembered as Brian Jones' last appearance in the United States.

THE MONTERREY POP FESTIVAL
JUNE 18, 1967

           NICO + BRIAN JONES

Despite the prior devastating circumstances, and the future problems facing Brian Jones, the critically acclaimed "Prince of Rock & Roll" made his final  U.S. appearance at a legendary music festival which would become a landmark in the "HISTORY OF ROCK"

The recently jilted Stones' guitarist showed up with, then Laurel Canyon resident, NICO, on his arm. Andy Warhol's favorite chic model, Nico was at her peak, singing lead for Lou Reed's New York cult faves, VELVET UNDERGROUND.

The pair casually strolled amongst the festival & music industry crowd. Brian's response to the most asked question -
 - "No, his band didn't come - He was there to introduce his friend,

The Future of ROCK & ROLL,
"The JIMI HENDRIX Experience,"
to an unsuspecting crowd of folk, and pop, music fans. 

On Stage, Jones did just that. In a majestic introduction, a performance befitting a true member of ROCK ROYALTY, Brian Jones, the creator, and driving force of the soon to be anointed, "World's Greatest Rock&Roll Band" - the Rolling Stones - symbolically passed the torch, when he Introduced an unknown American artist who would revolutionize Rock Music.

Brian Jones' last substantial sessions with the Stones occurred in spring and summer of 1968, when the Stones produced "Jumpin' Jack Flash" and the Beggars Banquet album. 

His behavior had begun to wreak havoc during the Beggar's Banquet sessions and it fully flourished by the time the band began recording Let It Bleed.

“ There were two Brians…one was introverted, shy, sensitive, deep-thinking…the other was a preening peacock, gregarious, artistic, desperately needing assurance from his peers…he pushed every friendship to the limit and way beyond. ”
      Stone Alone - Bill Wyman

             Monday, July 27, 2009 10:34 PM

Jones' last formal appearance was in the December 1968 The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus, a part concert, part circus-act film organized by the band. It went unreleased for 25 years because Jagger was unhappy with the band's performance compared to others in the film, such as Jethro Tull, The Who, and Taj Mahal. In the film, Jones appeared disinterested and at times intoxicated. While introducing concert pianist Julius Katchen, he slurred his speech. During the Stones set, he appeared distant and in the DVD of the film, his playing has been rendered inaudible except during a rendition of "No Expectations." Extra material on the DVD of the film indicated that almost everyone at the concert knew that the end of Jones' time with the Stones was near, and Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend of The Who thought it would be Jones' last live musical performance.

- Jones was arrested a second time, on 21 May 1968, for marijuana possession. Jones claimed the marijuana was left by previous owners of his home. He was facing a long jail sentence if found guilty, owing to his probation.

Wyman commented, "The fact that the police had secured a warrant with no evidence showed the arrest was part of a carefully orchestrated plan. Brian and the Stones were being targeted in an effort to deter the public from taking drugs." The jury found him guilty, but the judge had sympathy for Jones; instead of fining and jailing him, he said,
"For goodness sake, don't get into trouble again or it really will be serious."

Jones' legal troubles, the estrangement from his bandmates, his substance abuse, his sporadic musical contributions, and especially, his radical mood swings, just became too much.
The Stones wanted to tour the United States in 1969 for the first time in three years, but Jones's second arrest exacerbated problems with US immigration, and he couldn't acquire a US work visa.

In addition, until this juncture, the Stones' music had been heavily based on the two weaving guitars; Brian's penchant for exotic instrumentation worked to complement Richards' guitar work. Now, however, Brian rarely came to the studio; when he did, he rarely contributed anything musically, or his bandmates would switch off his guitar, leaving Richards playing nearly all the guitars.

 According to Gary Herman, he was "literally incapable of making music; when he tried to play harmonica, his mouth started bleeding."

 While the band was recording "You Can't Always Get What You Want," Jones meekly asked an agitated Jagger, "What can I play?" Jagger's terse response was "I don't know, Brian, what can you play?"

From this point, he made himself scarce, rarely attending sessions. By May, he had made two contributions to the work in progress: an autoharp on "You Got the Silver" and percussion on the epic "Midnight Rambler," which remains inaudible on the released version. Jagger informed Jones that he would be dismissed from the band if Jones did not appear at a photo shoot for the compilation album Through The Past Darkly. Looking frail, he showed.

The Stones decided that following the release of the Let it Bleed album (scheduled for a July 1969 release in the US), they would start a North American tour in November 1969, the first in three years.

However, the Stones management was informed that Jones would not receive a permit due to his drug convictions. At the suggestion of pianist and road manager Ian Stewart, the Stones decided to add a new guitarist.

On June 8, 1969, Jones was visited by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Charlie Watts, and was told that the group which he had formed would continue without him.

To the public, it appeared as if Jones had left voluntarily; the other band members told him that although he was being asked to leave, it was his choice how to break it to the public. Jones released a statement on 9 June 1969 announcing his departure. In this statement he said, among other things, that “ I no longer see eye-to-eye with the others over the discs we are cutting. ”

Ironically, this would come as the Stones were returning to their blues roots, which Jones had always emphasized. Jones was replaced by 20-year-old guitarist Mick Taylor (formerly of John Mayall's Bluesbreakers), who started sessions with the Stones at once.

At this point, Jones stayed at Cotchford Farm, with intentions to form another band. He did visit Olympic Studios the next week to discuss the future with his former bandmates.

 Bill Wyman noted that he was "excited about his own plans."

He is known to have contacted Ian Stewart, Mitch Mitchell, Alexis Korner and Jimmy Miller.
 He toyed with joining Korner's New Church band, but Korner suggested Jones form his own band.

There is uncertainty as to the mental and physical state Jones was in at this time. The last known photographs, taken by schoolgirl Helen Spittal on June 23, 1969, shortly after his departure from the Stones, are not flattering; Jones appears bloated, with deep-set eyes. People who visited (particularly Alexis Korner) were surprised, however, by Jones's state in late June. Korner noted that Jones was "happier than he had ever been" at this time, and supposedly Jimmy Miller was surprised to find Jones in good spirits.

At around midnight on 3 July 1969, Jones was discovered motionless at the bottom of his swimming pool at his home in Hartfield, Sussex, England. His Swedish girlfriend, Anna Wohlin, is convinced he was alive when they took him out, insisting he still had a pulse. However, by the time the doctors arrived, it was too late, and he was pronounced dead. The coroner's report stated "Death by misadventure," and noted his liver and heart were heavily enlarged by drug and alcohol abuse.[1]Some felt it was suicide, however, blaming Jagger and Richards for his state of mental depression.

Wohlin claimed in 1999 that Jones had been murdered by a builder who had been renovating the house the couple shared. The builder, Frank Thorogood, allegedly confessed to the murder on his deathbed to the Rolling Stones' driver, Tom Keylock; however, there were no other witnesses. In the book The Murder Of Brian Jones, Wohlin alleges that Thorogood behaved suspiciously and showed little sympathy when Jones was discovered in the pool (he was the last to see Brian alive), but she admits she was not present at Jones's death. Witnesses who claim to have seen the "murder" have been interviewed by journalists; however, these witnesses have almost always used pseudonyms, and none has been willing to go on record or report to the police. A critical witness, still alive, is a man called "Marty" in the Hotchner book Blown Away. Another builder present, called Mo(rris) passed away a couple of years ago.

Many items, such as instruments and expensive furniture, were stolen from the home after Jones's death, most likely by Thorogood, driver Tom Keylock, and others who worked on the property. Rumours also exist that recordings by Jones for his future projects were stolen but nothing has surfaced to date. A watch given by Alexis Korner to Brian, with a personal inscription, surfaced at Christie's in New York.

Upon Jones' death, Pete Townshend wrote a poem titled "A Normal Day For Brian, A Man Who Died Every Day" (printed in The Times), Jimi Hendrix dedicated a song to him on U.S. television, and Jim Morrison of The Doors wrote a published poem entitled Ode To L.A. While Thinking Of Brian Jones, Deceased.

The Rolling Stones performed a free concert in Hyde Park on 5 July 1969, two days after his death. The concert had been scheduled weeks earlier as an opportunity to present the new guitarist. However, critics accused the band of being callous toward their former bandmate. In response, the band dedicated the concert to Jones. Before the concert began, Jagger read excepts from "Adonais", a poem by Percy Shelley about the death of his friend John Keats. Their manager had come up with a plan to release thousands of white doves upon the sky of Hyde Park to remember the memory of Jones. The Stones opened with a Johnny Winter song that was one of Brian's favorites, "I'm Yours And I'm Hers."

Jones was reportedly buried 12 feet (3.7 m) deep in Cheltenham Cemetery (to prevent exhumation by trophy hunters) in a lavish casket sent for his funeral in Cheltenham by friend Bob Dylan. The Stones asked fans to stay away, and of the group only Watts and Wyman attended. Mick Jagger and Marianne Faithfull did not attend as they were travelling to Australia to begin a movie and claimed the producers prohibited their attendance upon threat of having their contract severed. Keith Richards did not attend due to studio commitments