Lewis Brian Hopkins Jones , was an English musician and a founder member of the Rolling Stones. Jones' main instruments were the guitar and the harmonica, but he played a wide variety of other musical instruments and was a talented multi-instrumentalist. His innovative use of traditional or folk instruments, such as the sitar and marimba, was integral to the changing sound of the band. Originally the leader of the group, Jones' fellow bandmembers Mick Jagger and Keith Richards soon overshadowed him; especially after they became a successful songwriting team. He developed a serious drug abuse... problem over the years and his role in the band steadily diminished. He was asked to leave the Rolling Stones in June 1969 and guitarist Mick Taylor took his place in the group. Jones died less than a month later by drowning in the swimming pool at his home on Cotchford Farm in East Sussex. Original Stones bassist Bill Wyman stated about Jones: "he formed the band. He chose the members. He named the band. He chose the music we played. He got us gigs ...
more
| Birthdate: | February 28, 1942 |
| Birthplace: | Cheltenham |
| Date of death: | July 3, 1969 |
| Height: | 5' 6" |
| Also known as: | brian_jones, Lewis Brian Hopkin-Jones, Brian Jones |