Brian Jones: The Making of the Rolling Stones

Want a completely honest story of Brian Jones's life? Look no further than this extremely well written book by Paul Trynka. I'm a teen, with a huge love for 60's rock 'n' roll music; The Beatles and The Rolling Stones in particular are my favorites. I have fond memories of my parents playing their music in the car when I was little. My mother is a huge Rolling Stones fan and she's the one who first introduced me to Brian Jones. I knew who John, Paul, George, and Ringo were (who doesn't?), but as far as the Rolling Stones, I only knew of the usual Mick and Keith. "Brian was my favorite, he was so cute. But unfortunately, he died very young," my mother told me. At that time, I was in my Beatles phase and didn't really care to learn more about other bands. But later on an interest sparked in me. I was determined to learn more about the Rolling Stones and this Brian Jones.After researching a lot on the internet and listening with a new ear to the Stones's music, I discovered just how amazing his musical ability was. I was hungry for more information but cautious of the credibility of the internet info. Lo and behold, I discovered this recently published book which I immediately ordered.When I first stared reading it, I was hooked. Trynka delivers an easy to read, step by step biography about the late founder of the Rolling Stones. The book is saturated with information about Brian, such as his creation of the distinctive riff in "The Last Time" or that he co-wrote "Ruby Tuesday" but gave credit to Mick Jagger. I already knew a lot about Brian but the book still provided facts about him that I didn't know. I was initially skeptic on buying this book because (as Trynka points out in the last chapter), most people focus on Brian's decline and death rather than his extraordinary music contribution. I love how Trynka talks in depth about Brian's early years with his unhappy home life, his fascination with Blues music, and his incredible dedication of making it as a musician. Trynka has interviewed pretty much everyone who knew Brian and the Stones personally. People like Marianne Faithfull, Stash, Pat Andrews, Linda Lawrence, John Keen (Brian's childhood friend), etc. The information is clearly presented with many facts and sources so there are no doubts about the credibility of his book.Trynka also addresses the many theories surrounding Brian's death in a special coda section at the end. He gives insight on each theory then provides fact which support or undermine each one.These days Keith, Mick, and Charlie have nothing good to say about their founder, which is very sad. It's easy for them to say that he was a terrible man who was addicted to drugs and was nothing but a pain. Not so, say many sources in this book. Brian was an extremely sensitive and vulnerable man, who just wanted, as Marianne Faithfull says, "someone to say 'Good Job, Brian'." You'll cringe as you read about the abuse he suffered at the hands of the rest of the Stones. This stemmed from a place of jealousy, the sources say, with Mick viewing Brian as competition for girls and Keith envying Brian's incredible guitar playing and gift for picking up any instrument and learning how to play it within a short amount of time.Brian Jones was the visionary, the most musically talented, the soul of the band. He was the one who got that band the gigs, he was the leader, he was the one who inspired Mick Jagger's "moves" and fashion, he was the one who taught Keith the open G tuning.Sadly, many people these days don't even know who he is. This book will enlighten them and anyone who wants to learn more about who exactly the great Brian Jones was.Brian lives on through his work. During his short time here on Earth, he accomplished more amazing things than anyone could've imagined.Rest in peace, Brian.

I have been a Stones fan for over 60 years and thought I knew everything about them. What I didn’t know then were the events leading up to Brian’s leaving the band and his subsequent death.This was not published nor was it common knowledge, at least to fans in the U.S. and perhaps in other countries.Paul Trynka gave Brian a voice. His book is well researched, based on fact not conjecture. Painful at times to read, it’s necessary to understand how and why it is important to understand how The Rolling Stones came to be and the man who is responsible for changing the face of rhythm and blues in Great Britain during the swinging 60’s.Well done!

I would have given it a full five stars, save for one formal complaint that is true for all biographers of Brian Jones. It seems most Stones biographers of Brian tend to use the year 1969 as "Brian leaves Stones and dies soon after." It is well know in British music circles Brian was planning to form a supergroup that may have included Jerry Shirley of Humble Pie on drums, and possibly Steve Marriott. He was obsessed with Creedence Clearwater Revival and wanted to form a band with a blues base but a CCR edge. Jerry Shirley confirmed Brian had called him up about a possible gig with a new group. This is exciting and I wondered why much of his visions of a new "supergroup" was not explored. I wish more Brian biographies would deal less with the death in 1969 and more on his unrealized plans for a supergroup. It was whispered that Keith and Mick were worried his possible new group would eclipse the Stones should it get off the ground. Interviews with Jerry Shirley and others involved in this possible supergroup would make an intriguing "what could have been".

By far and away the best book ever written about Brian Jones. Paul Trynka interviewed over 100 people. He spends quite a lot of time on Brian's very early days in Cheltenham England. He covers his family life, his social life, his rebellious life and most importantly his musical life. All this before he even hit London where he impressed everyone with his incredible slide guitar. Especially Keith Richards who was in the audience that night. He also objectively covers that fateful night Brian died. A lot has been written about his death. Paul covers it all. I have read everything about Brian Jones and thought not much more could be written. Paul found people that have never commented before. It is a very fresh approach to a man that has been marginalized by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards for the last 50 years. And Paul points out why Mick, Keith and Andrew Oldham conspired to destroy Brian. It was always said that Brian couldn't write songs. Paul presents proof that he could and did write for the Rolling Stones and received no credit. Paul presents all the lies and myths that the world was tricked into believing. Brian Jones was far more important to the success of the Rolling Stones than he will ever get credit for. Paul objectively points out his contributions with all the interviews he did. Brian Jones was a very complicated person. Paul covers his ups, his downs and all the turmoil in his life. This will probably be the last book that will effectively cover the life and times of Brian Jones. I highly recommend it. Brian Jones left his mark on the world because of his passion for R&B. And because of that passion the Rolling Stones became the legendary band that they are today. Paul effectively gives Brian his due respect through all the people that were there in the 50's and 60's who were around Brian. No matter how hard Mick and Keith try to erase this man from history they just can't. The legacy of Brian Jones is here to stay and Paul Trynka makes sure of that. R.I.P. Brian!

„The Making of the Rolling Stones“: Paul Trynka vermittelt in seinem hervorragenden Buch einen kenntnisreichen Einblick in das (kurze) Leben von Brian Jones, einem musikalischen Genie, das den Stil der Stones in ihren Anfangsjahren wesentlich prägte. Mit Wurzeln aus dem Jazz und Blues sowie der Erweiterung des Gitarrensounds um seinerzeit recht unbekannte Instrumente (Dulcimer, Harpsichord, Marimba …) eröffnete er eine innovative Klangwelt des Rock, die bis heute wirkt. Wer die Platten der Stones aus den 60-ern nicht eh schon besitzt, sollte sie sich parallel zum Lesen gönnen. Das Porträt über Brian Jones von Paul Trynka ist mehr als empfehlenswert!

pour moi personellement.Dommage qu'il n'existe qu'en anglaisBelles photos rarespour tout fan de B Jones

An excellent read and researched thoroughly. The author has spoken exhaustively to those who knew Brian throughout his life, professionally and personally. Brian Jones was a very complex young man. Watch his Youtube interviews when he was 23 and still leader of the band. Highly intelligent, utterly compelling, way ahead of his time in his attitudes. He was also very attractive to women and a fabulous musician. No wonder he had a fast paced and complicated love life. He led life at a breathtaking pace. Paul Trynka details how with the inevitable power shift in the band when Jagger and Richards penned their hits giving no recognition to the others for their contributions it rankled with Jones especially and led to bitter rivalries. Jagger was jealous of Jones' attraction to women and Jones was jealous of their song writing. Paul Trynka also takes us through Brian's private life and personal relationships, many illegitimate children, 3 adopted out, 2 assumed daughters he didn't know about and 2 little boys he fought in court against funding their upbringing. A fascinating read about a fascinating man who sadly left the Rolling Stones (and life) way too early. To his credit Paul Trynka doesn't sugar coat over Brian Jones' faults. If only Brian had lived longer, he would have matured emotionally, righted some wrongs and got over the rock and roll madness.Anyway, read this book, it's excellent.

What a great read. Like Bill Wyman's book, 'Stone Alone,' Paul Trynka's biography of Brian Jones is so detailed. Brian was pure genius. As I state for my review for Bill's book, others were jealous of Brin's talent. He could pick up an instrument and get a tune out of it. Give him a week and he would've mastered it. Yes, Brian was difficult, but he had psychological issues that should have been addressed. And yes, in the early days he took an extra commission without telling the others (which he should've told them). But, Andrew Oldham should have been far more transparent with his dealings with Allen Klein. Towards the end of Brian's life, he was coming off the hard drugs and alcohol. He was at peace at Cotchford Farm. I see a friend of mine in Uckfield and I drive past the end of Cotchforn Lane where brian lived. I think it's appauling that some of his posessions were stolen which the reader will see. I think this book should be merged the Bill Wyman's .

What Brian Jones created stood out just like his own personal image. His slide guitar, his harmonica, his marimba, recorder, sitar and mellotron always made more of the 'Jagger-Richards' songs they were on. His backing vocals were there originally too, but gradually faded out, and Brian began to find himself alone in the studio with instructions as to what he was allowed to add. The author's ultimate criticism appears to be Brian's failure to simply leave the Stones, positing Loog-Oldham, Jagger and Richards' much documented undermining and pushing may even have given him a perverse determination to stay. It was clearly important that he didn't want to appear a victim, and continually showed restraint in talking about fellow artists, mostly showing himself to be a real fan at heart. His ultimate panic was at the hands of the establishment as exercised through the police and a sensationalist tabloid. He was just recovering from that ordeal, apparently unable to tour the U.S. because under pressure and isolation he delivered an admission of guilt, but was recording in the music room of his last home.This Brian Jones book might be the best one yet.