Like a Rolling Stone

Friday 3rd July 2009

Rolling Stones’ guitarist Brian Jones was just 27 when he was found dead in his swimming pool but the legend of his name lives on for his fans 40 years on.

And they show their loyalty when they meet on July 4 in Jones’ hometown of Cheltenham to mark the anniversary of his death.

As they have done regularly since 1969, his diehard fans will meet at his grave at Cheltenham Cemetery in Bouncer’s Lane to commemorate the fourth decade of his death.

Afterwards the crowd moves on to the Exmouth Arms in Bath Road for lunch, followed by a blues and rock jam session.

Brian’s former flatmate Richard Hattrell played a huge part in both Brian’s life, and the Rolling Stones’ early days.

As a friend and the Stones’ original manager until his health failed, he says marking the guitarist’s death and remembering his life is just as important with the passing of time.

“I was a very great friend of Brian’s. We shared a flat in Prestbury Road, then Brian and I moved to London. I bought Brian his first guitar. He was an incredible musician. He was a fashion icon. And he was a naughty boy.

“I still listen to his music. My favourites are some tracks recorded in 1962/63 which were never commercially released. I managed to get hold of them and have them put on a CD and I listen to them all the time.

“He was enormously talented – he could go into a recording studio and see an instrument that he’d never even heard of and within 20 or 30 minutes he would be playing it. He had an amazing gift. I still admire him greatly.”

Brian was born in the Park Nursing Home in Cheltenham in 1942, attending Dean Close School and Cheltenham Grammar School for Boys. He played clarinet and saxophone before taking up the acoustic guitar at the age of 17, founding the Rolling Stones in 1962.

His death, 40 years ago yesterday, happened after he had left the Stones, when he was found at the bottom of his swimming pool.

The Brian Jones Fan Club has organised tomorrow’s get together at the Exmouth Arms. It includes performances by Stroud-based Tickle Fishermen, who play a country, soul and jazz mix, and Pat Townshend’s Staccato, who play blues, rock and Stones’ tribute music.

The cost of the lunch and jam session is £20, payable on the day, or just attend the jam session at 4.30pm for £6.50. Fans will meet at the cemetery at 2pm.