No Jones, no Stones: the band’s forgotten founder

As a documentary about Brian Jones is released, James Rampton reflects on the life of the talented multi-instrumentalist whose embodiment of the Sixties spirit gave way to his untimely death

Brian Jones on stage at Alexandra Palace in 1964 (John ‘Hoppy’ Hopkins)

The Rolling Stones would never have even existed – let alone gone on to become the greatest rock’n’roll band in the world – if it hadn’t been for Brian Jones.

His influence was colossal. He founded the group. He recruited the other members – lead singer Mick Jagger, guitarist Keith Richards, bassist Bill Wyman, and drummer Charlie Watts – and he even came up with the band’s name.

Richards recalls that Jones thought it up on the spot while speaking to a venue owner. “The voice on the other end of the line obviously said, ‘What are you called?’ Panic!