The Death of Brian Jones

The Wild and Wycked World of Brian Jones

Message 201 - Tuesday 23rd August 2005

The profile of Brian Jones has been raised considerably over the past weeks what with regional and national reporting of the bust ceremony in Cheltenham, Stephen Woolley’s film ‘Stoned’ premiering in Edinburgh, and the article recently published in the Sunday Express – an article incidentally that's been picked up across the world and re-reported in various forms by many newspapers, (e.g. Sweden's 'Aftonbladet' newspaper on the right), radio stations and on-line reporting organisations. As well as our forum here, many Stones and Brian Jones websites, including LARS, offer views fore and against the on-going situation and we welcome support (and criticism) in comments and observations from you all.

On the 9th August Mr. Chris Goodman, the music writer for the UK national newspaper The Sunday Express contacted the BJFC for our opinion on the controversy surrounding the Brian Jones bust in Cheltenham.

However, the discussion soon focussed on the Stephen Woolley film and the circumstances surrounding the death of Brian Jones from the fan club’s perspective. Mr Goodman had his views on the film ‘Stoned’ and its script content and became extremely interested in our version of events of what we believed happened in the days and weeks leading up to the 2nd July 1969. When I outlined the scenario of how I envisaged Brian’s life ending that night, together with some of the supporting facts, he asked for co-operation for an article in the upcoming issue of his newspaper. The article to the left appeared in the 14th August edition of The Sunday Express; please click on the image to view a larger, more readable version.

As with any telephone interview comments can be misinterpreted, but overall the reporting is a fair reflection of my telephone conversation with Mr. Goodman. What I’d like to point out though is that the secondary banner headline ‘We believe he was killed in the house and thrown in the pool’ is inaccurate, our belief is that Brian was rendered unconscious in the house and carried out to the pool area alive, hence the possibility that there might still be more than one crime scene in the house and grounds. Further mistakes in the article include the date of Brian's death being quoted as the 3rd July 1969 when in reality he died before midnight on the 2nd July, Mr Goodman referring to the Stephen Woolley film as ‘The Wild and Wycked World of Brian Jones’ when it should be ‘Stoned’ and quoting Pat and Brian's son as Mark Jones when in fact it should be Mark Andrews.

Much comment has been made on this article and the call for Sussex Police to re-open the investigation into Brian’s death together with, if the Home Office were to approve, a new autopsy. Both Pat Andrews and myself understand the controversy and depth of feeling any exhumation would provoke and have been very careful to refer to any mention of this in the correct terminology. This however has not been respected by some, including the reference to the exhumation in the text of the Daily Express report of August 22nd.

As many BJFC members know, Pat Andrews has been searching for the truth behind Brian’s death for the best part of the last decade and, when I became involved in the fan club’s activities three years ago I became a focal point for the collation of all the fan club’s research and interviews.

Early in my own research it became apparent that many questions remained unanswered and many flaws could be found in the official version of events. Re-establishing time lines and setting about the task of tracing witnesses and questioning people I found an enormous amount of co-operation from many sources, but alternatively an even larger amount of misinformation and obstruction to the truth. What I also discovered, as others in the past have, is that there is a total ambivalence on the part of Sussex police to re-open the case. Their reasons always were, on the surface, valid and correct but to my mind there was just too much confusing, ‘negative’ and misleading information in this whole scenario.

Through a set of circumstances therefore, nine months ago, I became aware of a private company in the UK who contract to many police forces, both in the UK and abroad, to undertake ‘cold case’ and forensic investigations. As many of you might have read earlier this year in Uncut magazine, this extremely professional and well equipped organisation is staffed by ex-senior police offices from the Metropolitan and Thames Valley police forces and ex-Home Office forensic scientists. After an initial forensic examination at Cotchford Farm and an extensive review of my 150 page dossier of information I have, for the past nine months, been advised by this organisation as to the correct procedural regimes to follow in achieving our objective of a re-investigation into the circumstances surrounding Brian’s death.

Trevor Hobley

Message 202 - Wednesday 24th August 2005

As the first President of the Brian Jones fan club, in 1974, I do feel that I'm a bit of an expert at this murder mystery. God knows, when I started the fan club I also believed Brian was just a druggie in the end and it was what led to his death. We've all learned over the years that this isn't true even though there are so many people around who would like us all to believe this. Along comes Stephen's film, and as a fan I'm grateful for it y'know, and I hear art wise it's pretty great -- but the research was not done enough on it. This is no ordinary death: Brian Jones was a major cosmic figure, a very powerful spirit (NOT just a hot druggie rock star w/money) -- adept at different branches of the arts and mysticism, and his spirit is still around, obviously! But his spirit will not take one more bit of nonsense -- this I know, as an astrologer examining current transits to his birth chart as well as to his death chart (and Mick Jagger's current chart, which is so bad currently, it's amazing to me how it might manifest - and since he's doing so well, it can only be one thing, THIS THING). Good news for Stephen though: November is a very busy month for Brian Jones, I informed this board moderator of that many months ago. The film is going to be a major success, whether the body comes up or not.

Getting down to the nitty gritty, if there was a murder there has to be a motive. I believe this film is saying that Brian owed Frank money, 'a new one' and most likely a fabrication. In fact it was more likely the other way round. So supposedly Frank went to scare him and kills him accidentally? But what of the Janet Lawson interview that Frank had poisoned the dinner (with half the durophet Brian was prescribed the week before for his fat belly)...If he put half the pills in the pie, of then hearty eater Brian's dinner, then the death is no accident, IT IS PLANNED, it is murder - not manslaughter. So there's a glaring contradiction that no amount of 'art' is going to get away with, because at the end of the day, this is a murder mystery. Also, as I've posted elsewhere on the internet, Tony Sanchez, who will hopefully speak in court when and if it comes to that, tells us about an enormous amount of money promised to Brian Jones upon his firing.... THE MOST HILARIOUS IRONY IN ROCK N ROLL! An amount that raised the ire of the manager -- and on pay day, perhaps Frankie boy did get fired, but it was also the day (according to Mrs. Hallett, the housekeeper), that Brian's first year payment was due him...I mean.. come ON NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm sorry that if what is in the dossier & exhuming the body may reveal things that lead to a story that doesn't jive with Mr. Woolley's film, but y'know, to quote another famous film, (The Apartment, Jack Lemmon) - "that's the way it crumbles, cookie-wise." To rely on Janet Lawson and Tom Keylock of all the characters in the story, for info in regards to the death of this very powerful spirit, that's a big gamble to take. Brian Jones lives!

Roxanne

Message 203 - Thursday 25th August 2005

#666 At least when I do post I am not afraid to put my name. I don't HIDE behind my fan club #. And I have not attacked you personally. End of Discussion.

pam.b

Message 204 - Thursday 25th August 2005

I would think by now if Anna and anyone else would tell the truth about what really happened that night, after all these decades, how could their lives still be in danger? Tom Keylock cannot do a darn thing and Frank is deceased. The Rolling Stones did not have anything to do with his death and either did their office. Apparently it was between Brian Jones and Frank and/or his crew and their "friends"? Anna has every right to publish whatever she wants to.

Brian's children have the right to know what happened as well as his fans. As long as Anna tells the truth she has nothing to worry about. She can always get a lawyer or consult with someone (like in this club) about writing any additional material she wishes to publish.

Brian's death must be investigated to clear any misconceptions about his demise from being drugged, drunk or both. If anyone tries to interfere they better have a darn good excuse as to why she cannot write the truth. The truth shall set you free.

So Ms Anna Wohlin if there is anything you wish to add about what happened that night please feel free to do so.

Linda

Message 205 - Saturday 27th August 2005

Again, been looking around and keeping my eye in places for research and info on the film. on the IMDB sites forum for the STONED movie, there is a few comments from myself (willywoo_fumanchoo) and then there is this 1 by another poster:

ok anyone whos interested in good music will be looking forward to STONED the movie about Brian Jones heres some stuff iv found out.

These bands supply the soundtrack to the movie - the white stripes, small faces, kula shaker, the bees,20-22s,traffic jefferson airplane.

The film release date is 11th November 2005.

Theres no trailer yet but iv emailed the movie company to see if theres guna be one and were i will be hosted on the net.

The website link below is a kinda official site for the movie has great pics and the other link is for the Brian Jones fanclub which also has pics and news.

Anyway stones and jones fans i hope this helps

http://www.intandemfilms.com/movies/brian_jones.htm

http://www.brianjonesfanclub.com/

and that gives details on the movie direct from Intandem, and its definitely correct because they sent me the same information pretty much.

Clive

Message 206 - Thursday 1st September 2005

I will be seeing STONED on Sept 11th, review to follow.

DONOVAN: 'DYLAN COMPARISON WAS A TAUNT'

Hippie icon DONOVAN hated being compared to rock pioneer BOB DYLAN during the 1960s, because he was desperate to be seen as an original talent. The CATCH THE WIND singer recalls in his autobiography THE HURDY GURDY MAN an awkward meeting with late ROLLING STONES star BRIAN JONES, when the late rocker hinted that Donovan was copying Dylan's style. He says, "My one encounter with Brian had been brief and unsettling. "With his long, blond hair and almost menacing smile, this charismatic young man was a skilful wind-up merchant. "'You sound like Bob Dylan,' he snapped. It was a taunt that everybody made back then."

Miss U.

Message 207 - Sunday 4th September 2005

From the Mail on Sunday 28th August 2005

Message 208 - Wednesday 7th September 2005

Looking forward too seeing the film in November, although it will be spoilt without any stones tracks ie (RED ROOSTER, LADY JANE) in the film which from the sixties was their strongest period and the only reason till this day 95 percent of folk still go to see them! WOULD LOVE TO KNOW IF MICK AND KEEF ARE AWARE OF THAT. l also believe too this day that music and image go hand in hand and Brian's contribution to the stones plc is priceless. Will stop there as I don't have preach to anybody on this site about his influence. One question does anybody no any more about this documentary mentioned earlier or when its screened.

Andy

Message 209 - Thursday 8th September 2005

Dear Miss U:

I'm surprised that Donovan and Jones didn't have more encounters. He must have left some stuff out of his memoirs. I've seen a picture of them both attending the same party even sitting next to each other. It's been rumoured that they are also both involved in the chorus section of the Beatles "Yellow Submarine". Also Donavan wrote a song in tribute to Jones in the early 70's called "Local Boy Chops Wood" all about his tragic end. I even have a bootleg of him dedicating the song to Brian before performing it on the telly! Add to this the love triangle with Linda Laurence and his raising of Jones' son Julian. There's got to be more to this story. I'll have to pick up this book once it is released Stateside.

Chris

Message 210 - Saturday 10th September 2005

Q magazine October 2005 interview with the Rolling Stones:-

Interviewer to Keith: If you could bring anyone back from the dead who would it be?

Keith: Muddy Waters without hesitation.

Interviewer to Keith: Poor old Brian Jones?

Keith: Oh I wouldn't want to bring him back, he was an arsehole.

JUST GOES TO SHOW YOU THAT KEITH REALLY DID AND STILL HATED BRIAN. US AS FANS OF BRIAN AND EAGER TO FIND OUT WHO HAD HIM KILLED AND WHY, MUST KEEP THE BATTLE TO BRING THE KILLERS TO JUSTICE.

LETS HOPE SANCHEZ SPEAKS OUT.

COULD ANYONE LET ME KNOW WHERE THE INTERVIEW WITH JANET LAWSON CAN BE OBTAINED ON THE NET??

Gary Wilson

Message 211 - Sunday 11th September 2005

I have always considered Brian to be the only real musician in the group. He died about the same time as Hendrix, Janis Joplin & Jim Morrison who maybe were luckier than the rest of us since missed they out on the handbasket the world has gone to Hell in since.

Not to make light of Brian's death, but one year on his birthday Jay Leno said "If Brian Jones were alive today, nobody would be more surprised than he would."

Shirley

Message 212 - Sunday 11th September 2005

Just goes to show what a arsehole Keith still is. I mean you don't take your so called friends girl friend do you? They destroyed a fragile personality, they knew this and kept on and on at him until they almost won. If Brian had lived I believe he would have had his super group, far better than the Stones are without him. I think Brians group would have taken over. Very clever of them to dedicate the concert in Hyde park to Brian when he died. Because if I and my husband had known at the time how they had treated him, we would have gone off The Stones back then and I suspect so would all of Brians fans. Keith wouldn't be where he is today without Brian. I'm amazed he's still alive today with all the drink and drugs he's taken! Ho I forgot, didn't he have complete blood transfusions to get all the drugs out off his body? That's what I read anyway.

Ann

Message 213 - Monday 12th September 2005

I've just found out that Tom Keylock was Bob Dylan's driver on the European leg of his 1966 "go electric" tour. This fact had previously escaped me... but I wonder if there is a connection to Dylan sending the bronze casket over from the States... was Keylock still in touch with Dylan and if so, did he communicate anything to him after Brian's death ?

Dunc

Message 214 - Monday 12th September 2005

Warning--if you want to be surprised when you see the movie, don't read.

I saw the North American premiere of Stoned last evening at the Toronto International Film Festival. This is the first time Stephen Wooley takes a turn at directing a movie. I was amazed when I got there 30 minutes early that there was such a big crowd to see this movie there was already a big line up of people who already had tix, waiting to get in! Whether or not these are fans of BJ, or stones fans, or just film fest aficionados, I don't know. A woman sat next to me and said she is not a BJ fan, but after this movie might be more interested to find out about him. Much to my pleasure, the director announced the movie and said there would be a Q & A afterwards. Stephen Wooley appeared to be a bit nervous at this premiere of the film. He was introduced as having been a long-time regular at the TIFF, and he commented that he knows Toronto is a stones city, but apologized that this film is about Brian Jones's life & death, not the stones, and has little to do with the stones themselves. He also prefaced the movie by letting us know that different time periods in the film are portrayed by differences in the photographic depiction, ie- change to color or black & white, or a more grainy texture to the film.

When the film started, it was rather jarring & disturbing to see Brian in the water in the opening scene, being desperately pulled to the side of the pool by a screaming Anna & Janet, while Frank stands over very coldly smoking his cigarette. It was an emotional reaction I was unprepared for, and for that this film was very effective. During this scene Brian has flashes of his life passing before him, this was one of the best parts of the film from an artistic standpoint....a lot of flashes of Anita, Jajouka, flash of Anna, the stones etc. I'd like to see it again to focus on all the images that were flashed forward so quickly. The film jumps back and forth between different time periods, which I thought was a refreshing way to tell the story. A story which is FICTION, and if you keep that in mind you will enjoy the story and the artistic & creative liberties Stephen Wooley has taken with the film, as some scenes are in direct contradiction to the truth of what happened, and without a doubt the truth cannot be portrayed in film, not written about in a book, and no doubt this is why it has taken 10 years to bring this film to light, under the watchful eye of approval from Tom Keylock.

In this film, Anna was a composite of herself & Suki, as Wooley confirmed in the Q & A session afterwards. Suki as a character is not in this movie, just Anna as both of them. Her Suki persona is the more standoffish, whereas Anna was more involved in taking care of Brian & looking out for him. Clearly Wooley envisages that Anita was the love of Brian's life, and that he never got over her, with many Anita flashbacks in the movie, and in one scene when Anna leaves Brian at Cotchford after discovering photos of him & other women, Brian watches her leave and sees Anita's face, then Anna's face, alternating. In another scene Brian calls Anna "Anita". The time at Cotchford seems to be portrayed as a reckless time, not a time period when he wanted to settle down, gain some peace of mind and establish a bond with his offspring. The actress playing Anita actually reminded me more of Patti Hansen at times, just her face. There is a lot of nudity, both male & female, in this movie, which one would expect about a decadent 60s rock star in swinging London.

Tuva Novotny turned in an excellent performance as Anna Wohlin, and Luke de Woolfson as Jagger was also very good. I'm not sure Leo Gregory as Brian was the best choice, but a convincing performance.
The obvious theory portrayed in this film is that Frank killed Brian in the pool after some joking & teasing from Brian is taken the wrong way, and this after Brian had fired Frank. However, what I liked about the film is that it also hinted at other theories behind Brian's death, but unless you've read up on Brian, you most likely wouldn't pick up on these subtleties, they are quick and "barely there", almost like a ghost. For example, the Brian in the film makes an offhand comment at one point in the film, while at Cotchford, that he & Hendrix were going to put something together, and it's off in a different direction in the next breath. There is a scene that shows Frank had been ripping off Keith, and this job with Brian was to be a new beginning, then later on show the beam in the kitchen fall down from the botched building. Another scene shows Tom Keylock trying to reach Frank for days, couldn't get hold of him (the phone tricks and mind games). There is another scene where Klein is complaining to Keylock about Brian's flamboyant spending, and this can't continue. Keylock tells him "It's Brian's band". Klien responds "Is it?".
Another scene has Janet, Keylock's pregnant mistress, telling Frank a woman scorned can be a dangerous thing; is this another hint at a possible theory? Another scene at the beginning of the movie has Keylock telling Brian he found his lost tapes. There is also a later scene where Brian is shown working on his music at Cotchford, and another scene shows him drunk, not on drugs, and pulling the reels of tape out of the recorder. All these scenes are back & forth, not in chronological order, so noticing them for what they are isn't so obvious.

Interestingly, there is a scene where Anna is taking drugs at Cotchford, and it shows how controlling Frank was by taking the drugs away from her, and telling her she doesn't care about Brian to do that. The Anna character accuses him of trying to ingratiate himself to Brian. Wooley answered in the Q & A afterward that "Anna was just a tool for Brian". I don't agree with that.

Wooley takes great care to portray Keylock in a positive light, after all he was keeping a close eye on the project during the making. There is one scene, however, which I thought was very clever, at the end, after Brian is dead, you can see a quick flash of Keylock watching, at the 2 guys in the woods watching (Nick Fitzgerald & friend), then Keylock tells Frank he doesn't want to know the truth because either way it's Frank's fault. And as Keylock burns Brian's things (to keep away young thieving fans) he says about himself "I always look after my boy, he's trouble when he's alive and even after he's dead". Read between the lines, this is very clever.

As for how Brian is portrayed in the movie, he is both a sadist and a masochist, sexually and otherwise. There is also a quick scene which references the abuse and Brian's harsh upbringing. But the film also shows a nice side to Brian, although I wish there had been more of that shown, to emphasize his complexity. I thought it was a sad ending to portray him as so masochistic, but the scene of Brian approaching an elderly Keylock at the end was wonderful. I would have liked to see more about Brian's relationships with his musical peers.

Wooley also took great care not to portray the stones in any negative light, as evidenced in the scene where Mick gently breaks it to Brian that he is out of the band, while Keith is more direct "You're out, cock". Wooley has further to this cause, painstakingly taken the creative liberty of inventing a scene where Brian picks up on the attraction between Keith & Anita in Morocco, and outright proclaims they want to sleep together, and it's cool with him, go ahead.... "Brian" even goes so far as to try to persuade Anita to sleep with Keith, Anita tells him to stop, then Brian says this is free love, he demands they do!!! Of course, I was stunned watching this, and at times I was outraged, how can this be shown, it's not true. Keep pinching myself when I forget, this is a FICTIONAL movie, and the truth cannot be shown! As a fictional movie, I appreciated the visceral appeal and aesthetic sense it was presented with, the flashbacks, flash forwards, photographic style, the acting, costumes, and especially the scenes in Morocco-- are all fantastic. Another of the best scenes in the movie was the scene to the tune of "Not Fade Away", an uplifting sense that Brian in 69 will get back on his feet and come back with a bang, maybe "a bigger bang"...? Maybe that's the problem.

Enjoyed the Q & A afterwards with Wooley. There was many questions of a more generic film insider nature, ie: how a certain effect was done, the technical aspects of the film, of choosing someone with a slight lisp as Brian had, where the scenes were shot, etc. Wooley was clearly concerned about how the stones are portrayed and asked if the audience thought they were portrayed in a good light. Someone asked if the stones have seen the movie yet, he said not yet. One person asked about Keylock and Frank's deathbed confession. Wooley answered honestly that this was what Keylock says Frank told him on his deathbed (about Frank killing Brian) and that it was later recanted.

Maybe it was the part of me that always wants the truth to come out, but if the film was fictional, I at least wanted an honest discussion about Brian & his death afterwards. So I had the last question, and I stood up from the far centre of the theatre and asked Wooley what obstacles he has faced in making this film. He answered it has taken him 10 years to make it and research it, so obviously there were quite a few, and he went into describing the more aesthetic obstacles, and that he didn't have the same experience of that era etc. I told him I like that there is one central theory of Brian's death, but that the film also hints at other theories throughout, such as that Brian was putting together his own band & this was a perceived threat. He smiled and nodded in agreement, and commented that Brian was in the band for 7 years, and for the stones to have kept Brian around for the last few final years when Brian was clearly not into it, and was even missing sessions, could be argued that the stones clearly did not want Brian to leave to join his many other prestigious musical friends such as Hendrix, or Janis Joplin, or the Beatles. To my delight, Wooley elaborated at length to my question, so much so that he went off on a tangent and almost forgot what my question was. It was great to hear someone knowledgeable talk about Brian, and able to pull together bits & pieces to express their opinion in such an eloquent way. He answered also that the "Keylock having Brian's photos" episode was to show that Brian had slept with many women, and Wooley asked why I thought that scene was in the movie. He did make some positive comments about Brian, that he was very "old" when he died, although at such a young age, and that Brian could talk to anyone, was so intelligent but yet also so emotionally immature still, and portraying his complexity was an obstacle in the film also. I asked if Frank's family was an obstacle; he answered he's learned from the Perfumo Affair (the movie "Scandal") not to bring relatives into the equation.

He also mentioned he was influenced by "Performance" and by "The Servant" in making this film.

I do hope this film will get people interested in finding out more about Brian. Wooley commented thus far it has received good response from the over 40 crowd, and the 16-20 crowd, but he said it seems those in their 30s just don't get it. (Except me of course!) I gave him my card afterward, with my BJ site http://www.angelfire.com/rock2/hotstuff/images/index.html.

Check out images of STONED here: http://www.thehollywoodnews.com/article/07090502.php

Miss U.

Message 215 - Tuesday 13th September 2005

If I remember correctly, Tony Sanchez is dead. The ones who can speak out are Janet Lawson, Anna Wohlin, Tom Keylock and any of the remaining living employees of Frank's construction business.

The Toronto International Film Festival had the movie Stoned debuted Sunday 9/11/05 and again on 9/13/05. Also on the Living TV channel in the UK there will be a documentary on the demise of Brian Jones. If anyone happens to watch it please tell what it was like. As far as I know it is not in the US unless it is on a channel I am not aware of on my cable lineup.

I find it horrible that the Stones do not even talk about him and when they do it is insulting, especially from Mick and Keith. They seem to forget without Brian as many of you have stated there would be NO Stones. Mick and Keith have NO room whatsoever to even say a word about Brian after all the things they have done themselves.

One thing I am curious about is, have the Joneses ever changed their attitudes towards Brian and his life, and maybe even his children? I often wonder how they feel about things now since his demise. And what about his sister Barbara? Is she married with a family? Wonder how she feels about all this after all this time. I even wonder what she is doing nowadays. Makes me more curious if the Joneses are still reclusive and keeping more to themselves. I have never read too much about them except in books.

I am going to see the Rolling Stones on January 27, 2006 in St Louis Missouri. Got two tickets and a friend is going with me. He is very excited about seeing the Stones again. And before I forget, if anyone has seen the Movie Stoned please share your thoughts I would really like to hear others thoughts and opinions. BRIAN ROCKS AND LIVES FOREVER!! LOVE YOU ALWAYS BRIAN JONES!!!

Linda

Message 216 - Tuesday 13th September 2005

A few more points about the film----

Of course there are elements of truth to the film, but Wooley has also taken artistic & creative liberties, which I have come to terms with as a fictional film, and that is the business he's in, of course. Just as a musician who writes a song can have it redone in a different way by another band, which may lose the original concept, but will still keep it in the public consciousness. To his credit he was frank and mentioned upfront in the Q & A afterwards that he did take some artistic liberties and invented some scenes out of his imagination. He also said the Anita/Brian relationship was "mutually detrimental and destructive" so I give him credit for that, even if the film depicts a pining for Anita at Cotchford.

This film also portrays Brian as a bisexual and androgynous character, although very manly nonetheless. A bit like in Performance. There is a great scene where Frank is sleeping, it's the middle of the night, Brian swaggers into his room in a long cream ruffly housecoat, we see Frank looking at him, he appears blurry and feminine, sexy, then comes clearer into focus as we see it's Brian demanding Frank get him some female company!

Ultimately Frank was envious of Brian, maybe a bit attracted to but would never admit that to himself, and it was this and his homophobia in the end that is depicted as prompting Frank to drown Brian.
The film took a lot from the books "Who Killed Christopher Robin", and "Paint It Black". There was some good scenes in Morocco.

There is an accurate portrayal of the coldness of the stones organization (not the stones themselves). I don't think Brian Jones fans need to be overly concerned about Brian's image to those who are unfamiliar; his complexity comes through, and as Wooley said the 16-24 age group does find it appealing, esp the hedonistic aspects of it, so no doubt they will be intrigued enough to read more about Brian which will lead them to search for the truth.

Miss U.

Message 217 - Wednesday 14th September 2005

Before tonight, the only knowledge I had about Brian Jones is that I work in Cheltenham and the building next door to my office has a historic blue plaque saying that Brian lived there for a time before forming the Rolling Stones!! I have found this website after being intrigued by a programme I have just watched on Living TV. The programme was called Psychic Detective - a medium was approached by one of the mothers of Brians sons to see if he could shed some light on how he died. Brian and the Stones are rather before my time so I had no idea about any of it but the medium, Tony Stockwell, seemed to be able to go into great length about the demise of Jones. The lady (I think her name was Pat Andrews) said she'd always thought that it was murder but this was after Tony had described Brian without knowing who he was, and told her that although the death was publicised as an accident he believed it to be murder. He said Brian had been in the pool, got out and was 'drugged' and then put back into the water face down. Tony also felt that there was a puncture wound (from a syringe?) on Brians right hand side of his chest, under his ribs. He felt that there were 2 men who 'worked' in some capacity for Brian, and they were the ones who killed him, that all in all 4 people were aware of the plan to kill him and also that after he had been put back into the pool a lady was watching from the window and saw it all. Tony believes that either this lady was scared off from saying anything or that somehow it had been explained away. They spoke to a gentleman in Cheltenham who is convinced Brian was murdered and they took Tony to Cheltenham cemetery to Brians grave. They said that as he is in a sealed casket and 10ft underground he is effectively in a freezer. They reckon to exhume the body is the only way to answer all the questions. I'll be watching this space......! For anyone interested, this programme is repeated on Thursdays and Sundays on Living TV (I think this is just UK).

Tracey

Message 218 - Wednesday 14th September 2005

I've heard a lot about Brian Jones on the living channel can anyone give details of what day and time this is gonna be shown. Also I've tried getting a copy of the news paper with the full Anna Wohlin interview ,and I've now tried 5 times contacting the paper direct and there's nothing, can anyone help with getting a copy of this.

Also I do have two fan club videos for sale vol 1 and vol 2 on vhs for the uk video player, if interested please email me, jasonseymour199@yahoo.com

Jason Seymore

Message 219 - Wednesday 14th September 2005

I saw the doc Tony Stockwell and was amazed. I always thought that the official statements were never right.

When Tony mentioned there was a tall guy who had hold of his arms this as to be Tom Keylock. In his statements in a book I have read his whereabouts are very sketchy. Also I think Frank was involved but it was easier for Tom to say that frank did it - I do not think that this deathbed event ever happened. If it had been the other way around would Frank say to the world that Tom had done it ?. They really had a plan a pact right to the end. But will this story ever go away. I don't think so. Please watch the program and let us know what you think.

Lewie

Message 220 - Wednesday 14th September 2005

Yesterday, I saw the film at the Toronto film festival. Before it was screened, the director said he's spent 12 years researching. The movie was a crock of shit, an absolutely wretched recreation of the era, and an embarrassing portrait of Brian. I've read numerous books on the subject, and was lucky to see Brian's stones 3 times in Toronto. I have programs from the tours, including one that has Brian's name labelled under Mick's picture and vice versa. Brian was a musical innovator and deserved better.

Gary Topp

Message 221 - Thursday 15th September 2005

I’ve just received the review on Living TV’s Psychic Detective programme that appeared in the Daily Mail’s TV Guide on the 27th August. Please click on the thumbnail alongside to read their article on medium Tony Stockwell. For those with Sky TV the programme featuring Brian is being repeated tonight (Thursday 15th September) on Living2 TV at 10pm.

For those who cannot get a copy of the programme, I’ve called the producers this morning to follow up my request for permission to reproduce it on DVD for fan club members; similar to the arrangement I obtained with the BBC to reproduce the History Hunt programme. I await their response and will let you know the outcome as soon as possible.

Trevor Hobley

Message 222 - Thursday 15th September 2005

Hello Tracey and Lewie

Glad you enjoyed the 'Psychic Detective' episode on Brian.

The chap from Cheltenham was of course this sites own ring master Trevor Hobley, without who's invaluable help and research advice things probably wouldn't have been possible.

Before working with Tony I guess I was a little sceptical about psychic's and such things. However this series was fascinating to work on. I'm also convinced that Tony is quite sincere about what he does, I can assure you that as the person who did the research for this programme that he is given no information prior to his encial meetings.

Tony records four readings in one day and has no idea who is coming in to see him or why. Obviously these readings are edited down. it's a bit like watching edited highlights of a football match. In Pats reading, for instance, Tony bought through messages from other members of her family that were not relevant to the programme and not used.

These programmes are usually repeated by Living TV should anyone have missed the programme. Even if your not into the psychic thing hopefully you will enjoy the programme as some care was taken to get the facts about Brian correct and Michelle from the 'Rolling Stoned' tribute band (check their site) was brilliant and helpful with the reconstructions.

Anyway glad you both enjoyed the show. Personally I hope they do eventually exhume the body and undertake a proper investigation, which seemed lacking at the time. Just too many question marks seem to surround this case and given its high profile the authorities should be seen to do everything possible to ensure justice.

Yours Jeff

Message 223 - Thursday 15th September 2005

The website for the tribute band mentioned by Jeff (#222) 'The Rolling Stoned' can be found at http://www.rollinstoned.com/

Keith (webmaster)

Message 224 - Thursday 15th September 2005

Hi Gary, I live in Toronto also, and would love to hear your stories about seeing the Brian era stones here!

My email is singingafterdark@yahoo.ca, and there is a stones toronto forum here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/stonestoronto

I can understand your view about the movie....I was only 2 when Brian died, so have no recollection of the sixties atmosphere, hard for me to judge this in the movie therefore. Brian in his decadent glory is any director or actor's dream, a complex character they can sink their teeth into, and people go to movies to see a life with its ups and downs, not a greeting card. I do think they should have made Brian more sympathetic, but that would mean showing the living characters for what they really are, a risky move which probably would have prevented the film from ever being shown. The film does hint at that, though.

I think I would have felt a lot more let down by this movie if I had gone into it thinking it was a documentary about Brian's life, but I knew already from advance articles it was part fiction, and focussed mostly on his last few weeks. Even so, I was still a bit peeved at some parts of the movie which were not what really happened; that's a natural response. After the movie, I didn't spend as much time as I could have talking to Wooley because I needed to evaluate how I felt about the movie before opening my big mouth....LOL. After having time to think it over, I decided the film has a life of its own, and it's Wooley's "work of art", with all the distortions a work of art brings to it, like a watercolor painting blurs reality. As a bit of an artist myself, and given that I know Wooley has spent 10 yrs of research and must know the truth despite the film's depiction, I felt an understanding and more appreciation looking at it from an artistic standpoint. And given that the truth could not be shown, and certain parties represented in the film had to be presented in a more positive light than they really deserved to be....so that affected the script and plot of the film, and some scenes being left out, and so a less sympathetic portrayal of Brian was the result.

Given all this, it didn't depict Brian as evil as I had thought from all the advance opposition to the film... and I think it's the big picture that counts--- which is that the film will get a new generation of 16-24 yr olds intrigued enough to read up on Brian and find out more about how he truly was, and will form their own views on what happened, and who the bad guys and gals are.

Miss U.

Message 225 - Thursday 15th September 2005

...all the emotions I've felt as a fan, i.e, reading another piece of rubbish in the music press etc, even before we start on the July bust unveiling...Tumbling Dice??... I think that spooky instrumental from the Performance film soundtrack would have fitted the moment perfectly when they tugged the cloth away... SEE! I'm off again.

It's impossible, then, to imagine how Pat felt when she walked into Selkirk House and the brightly lit, silent ex Crawdaddy 40 plus years later on last nights documentary.

I'm pretty sceptical when it comes to the psychic stuff- but who really knows the truth?

There's been such a positive feedback even around us in the last year or so, people who used to quickly change the subject.

Thanks, Tracey.S.

Message 226 - Saturday 17th September 2005

Reviews from the web of 'Stoned'......

From : Uncut Magazine

http://www.uncut.co.uk/film/the_rolling_stones/special_features/8674

SPECIAL FEATURE : STONED The Rolling Stones Directed by Stephen Wooley

Starring Leo Gregory, Paddy Considine

First look at Brian Jones Biopic from this year's Edinburgh Film Festival

Stoned, director Stephen Woolley told Uncut back in January, isn’t so much a straightforward biopic of late Stones’ guitarist Brian Jones but a murder mystery and a “parable of the times”.

At the film’s core is the relationship between drug-addled fop Jones (Leo Gregory) and working class builder Frank Thorogood (Paddy Considine) – who reportedly confessed to murdering Jones in 1969 on his deathbed. It’s an exciting proposition, and the film promised to be an intense psychodrama played out against the rich backdrop of Sixties rock ‘n’ roll decadence.

Woolley, a force majeure in the British film industry thanks to his producer’s credits on movies like Mona Lisa, The Crying Game, Backbeat and 24-7, is here making his debut behind the camera. And while Stoned is competent enough, it also feels unforgivably lazy in places.

A key problem lies in the characterisations of Jones and Thorogood. They’re both distinctly unlikeable people – Jones is vain, insecure, passive-aggressive while Thorogood comes over as a near-autistic sociopath. At no point does Woolley’s film attempt to explain how they came to be like this – nor, crucially, does it explore what it is that drew them together in the first place. Mutual dependence? Latent homosexuality? Gregory gamely grabs Jones’ effete hedonism but Considine – so impressive in A Room For Romeo Brass, Dead Man’s Shoes and My Summer Of Love – fails to bring his usual, screen-burning intensity to bear here.

Woolley mounts the film brilliantly in the muted, grainy stock of the time – and there’s a sly references to Kenneth Anger, Performance and Blow-Up in there, too. But there’s something dreadfully sloppy about sound tracking Jefferson Airplane’s “White Rabbit” over an acid trip sequence. The film is noticeably bereft of Stones music, Woolley making do with a smattering of covers.

Much of the narrative exposition is shoddy, too. There’s little on screen to indicate why Jones’ girlfriend Anita Pallenberg (Monet Mazur) would particularly seek solace in the arms of Keith Richards (Ben Whishaw, last seen as the hapless Pingu in Nathan Barley), for instance.

It’s certainly not Carry On Brian, but neither does it deliver as an unflinching expose of rock ‘n’ roll murder.

Stoned is released in the UK in November

 
From : AOL News

http://aolsvc.news.aol.com/entertainment/article.adp?id=20050914185209990025&cid=918

Film review: Stoned

By Michael Rechtshaffen, Reuters

TORONTO (Hollywood Reporter) - For a movie about the co-founder of the world's most dangerous band, "Stoned" is a disappointingly dreary affair.

Chronicling the fall and further fall of Brian Jones, whose unquenchable thirst for hedonism contributed to his professional and personal demise, ending with his drowning in his own pool at the age of 27, the film dishes oodles of sex and drugs but skimps on the rock 'n' roll.

The upshot is tedious rather than titillating, and although the picture offers up an eleventh hour revelation regarding the circumstances surrounding Jones death, most viewers will likely be sufficiently underwhelmed to care by the time it arrives.

Although there's a considerable number of Jones fans who have been waiting impatiently for a big screen treatment, they'll get no satisfaction here.

Marking the directorial debut of Stephen Woolley, a veteran producer who has a long association with Neil Jordan, the story, penned by Neal Purvis and Robert Wade ("Die Another Day"), picks up on Jones' life when it's already well into downward spiral mode.

Preferring to take refuge in his East Sussex country retreat (the former home of "Winnie the Pooh" author A.A. Milne) over showing up for band practice, it's only a matter of time before Jones, played with an economy of complexity by Leo Gregory, gets sacked from the group.

Meanwhile, he occupies his days and nights in a drug-fueled perma-haze, getting it on with Anita Pallenberg (Monet Mazur) and Anna Wohlin (Tuva Novotny), among numerous others.

One day, during a fleeting moment of clarity, Brian decides to embark on some home improvements, and on the advice of his road manager, Tom Keylock (a Michael Caine-inflected David Morrissey) he hires builder Frank Thorogood (Paddy Considine) to carry out the work.

In short order Thorogood also becomes Jones' unofficial lackey, a role which is accompanied by increasing feelings of resentment and jealousy that will inevitably reach a boiling point.

The movie could have been called "Me and Mr. Jones" had that tricky relationship been a more focused element, but too often during "Stoned" it feels like Woolley, who has wanted to tell Jones story for more than a decade, isn't quite sure exactly what story he wants to tell.

As a result, the film, like its subject, keeps staggering around, listlessly repeating its actions.

Visually-speaking, "Stoned" does a fine job in recreating the era with sturdy contributions from director of photography John Mathieson ("Gladiator") and production designer John Beard ("The Skeleton Key") and, especially costume designer Roger Burton, who had practice with such music-related period pieces as "Absolute Beginners" and "Sid and Nancy."

From : Neil Youngs Film Lounge

http://www.jigsawlounge.co.uk/film/content/view/195/1/

Edinburgh Film Festival pt.VII (Wed 24 Aug) incl. Paul Schrader’s 'Dominion' [7/10]

Wednesday, 24 August 2005

Stephen Woolley's STONED [6/10]

Stoned is a messy but oddly watchable version of the final months on the life of Rolling Stones guitarist Brian Jones, and a belated directorial debut from veteran Britpic producer Woolley. A self-indulgent labour of love for Woolley, it's worth seeing mainly for the fact that it brings together the UK's two outstanding actors of the moment: David Morrissey (channelling Michael Caine as the Stones' road-manager Keylock) and Paddy Considine (on fine tormented form as Thorogood, the builder whose friendship with Jones leads to tragedy). Woolley isn't any great shakes as a director (visual cliches abound), and the script (based on three different books) is a bit all over the place, but there are plenty of plusses: the period-invoking production design is spot on, and Leo Gregory is a suitably fey, just-visiting-this-planet presence as the mercurial, infuriating Jones. More Stardust than Velvet Goldmine, undoubtedly, but at least it's no Wonderland

From : High Angle.co.uk

http://www.highangle.co.uk/reviews/stoned.html

The term ‘stoned’, relates to numerous things; not least to the effect of drug taking, which for any film set around musicians, and certainly any set within the ‘swinging’ sixties, is never far from the surface. Tellingly however, taking into consideration the later years of Brian Jones and his subsequent demise, the term relates biblically to being put to death; to having sinned against the rules of society, and to be punished by death for the greater good of the world. Far more than the simple biopic of a Rock n’ Roll star, this film is to some extent an uncovering of a popular myth, that being that its subject, the co-founder and early engine of one of the world’s most successful music bands, drowned in his swimming pool at the tenderly premature age of twenty seven as a result of self-abuse.

Very competently and at times imaginatively directed, using a variety of film stocks to accompany the many different time settings of the film, the story is told through a number of flashbacks, beginning and ending Polanski-style at the scene of Jones’ murder, the swimming pool of his beautiful stately home. With John Mathieson as the Director of Photography, it is perhaps unsurprising that the film looks fantastic, the contrasting use of light and darkness excellent; with colourfully light, youthful mise-en-scene dominating the early years of Jones life as opposed to the darker, sadder days leading to his eventual death.

Generally, the film is very well put together. Its cast, including the consistently impressive Paddy Considine in the role of Frank Thorogood; Jones’ builder, sometime friend, and eventual killer, does well throughout. That Leo Gregory in the lead is unable to sustain any considerable viewer sympathy for the duration of the film probably owes more to the fact that Jones himself was determined to avoiding anything populist, and as such is intended. As Anita, who became perhaps the closest embodiment of a true love in Jones’ romantic life, before walking out of it into the arms of his friend and band member Keith Richards, Monet Mazur is sympathetic, but remains rather one-dimensional, the true star of her performance her wonderfully rounded breasts, which Woolley maximises to their full potential, displayed as they are in almost every scene she takes part in.

To Woolley’s credit, the film seems far less concerned with showing the world through the eyes of its star than it does simply displaying the story and allowing the audience to shape their own view, which if nothing else makes it a successful life story. Early scenes of the film look at the management of the band, which saw them taken successfully down a road which Jones himself never wanted to travel, leading him to become disenchanted with making what he saw as primarily crowd-pleasing music, which in turn led him to study a far wider range of music, from Moroccan folk sounds to a Jimi Hendrix collaboration. General mismanagement of the band at this stage is hinted at also, as is a betrayal of Jones by his fellow band members, most notably Mick Jagger.

Gregory’s performance is an interesting one to surmise. Sharing much of his stage presence with Considine can only make it harder of course, but throughout the film he does nothing particularly wrong, though very little to impress. Frank is presented as the working class nobody humiliated and tormented by his boss, for no particular reason other than Jones’ pleasure. The sexual embarrassment is displayed particularly well at this stage, as the conventionally beautiful women the star chose to surround himself with are put on show in front of the builder and his workers; a constant reminder of how impoverished they are, in every sense, when met by the presence of the musician. From the opening scenes to the film’s end, the character transformation of Frank is handled superbly, both by Considine and by Woolley and the scriptwriting team.

Most likely though, is that Gregory handles the role just as intended, and that his character is somewhat devoid of audience empathy simply because no one could realistically exist as a rich, self-centred, spoilt and luxuriously gifted musician who simply can’t be bothered with the musician part any more. Though incredibly talented, and obviously deeply passionate about his music, Brian Jones is depicted as that most infuriating of characters; an artist who no longer enjoys the art. In as much that he hints at a stylistic rebirth, a new direction in terms of sound and product, he never actually seems to manage to get around to playing.

As a film displaying the life and times of a sixties icon; of sex, drugs and rock n’ roll before it became so clichéd, this film is a thoroughly enjoyable and recommendable watch. Even more so, as an informative and lid-lifting exploration of the death, and subsequent cover up, of such a high profile character, it is extremely worthwhile viewing. It does suffer slightly through its over-emphasis of the idyllic, utopian sexual and drug-induced lifestyle Jones led, and at times becomes slightly self indulgent in doing so, but given the incredible lack of emphasis that the three and a half decades since his death have placed on his musical talent and his influence on the decade in which he died, Woolley likely feels that the point is worth being excessively made.

While the script works well throughout, and the overall plot conveys perfectly the build up of rage in Frank, its closing moments do feel too staged and obvious. In all likelihood, it is exactly the kind of sentiment Brian Jones would have liked to be remembered by, which perhaps explains its artificial feeling. Trying too hard to live the life of a rock star can often be self defeating, which in itself epitomises the viewers’ inability to define exactly what type of character; whether extremely appealing or simply infuriatingly self-indulgent, Brian Jones was. Stoned has all the ingredients of a very enjoyable film -- it is confidently, carefully and capably put together, and as a result thankfully doesn’t disappoint. Though not a classic, this film is one of the better rock biopics, with an excellent soundtrack throughout.

Review by Alex McMillan.

From : Now Toronto

http://www.nowtoronto.com/minisites/tiff/2005/film_details.cfm?play_id=493

STONED

Director: Stephen Woolley

Rating: NN

Venue: PARAMOUNT 1

Program: Discovery

Starring/Country: Leo Gregory, Paddy Considine. UK

Run Time: 1h43

Show times: Sun September 11/05 - 08:45 PM

          Tue September 13/05 - 03:45 PM

Addicted to sex, drugs and blues guitar, pretty boy Brian Jones was the original frontman for the Rolling Stones. But by 1969 he'd been tossed out of the band and his dead body turned up in the swimming pool of his English country home. His death occurs in Stoned to the sounds Kula Shaker's great cover of Ballad Of  A Thin Man. As the film flashes back to a life resplendent with excess, this superficial piece of psychedelic 60s eye candy barely nods at Mick and the boys (none of whose music is on the soundtrack) but makes a prima facie case that Jones's renovations man was his murderer.

Meanwhile, the swimming pool tiles are for sale on the Internet.

Reviewed by: PE

Message 227 - Tuesday 20th September 2005

SAN SEBASTIAN, Spain (AFP) - The controversial death of Rolling Stones' founder member Bryan Jones has been taxing minds at the international film festival in the Spanish resort of San Sebastian amid claims by British director Stephen Woolley that the star was murdered.

"I am convinced. I don't think it was alcohol or drugs," Woolley told AFP following a showing of his film "Stoned," the fruit of an 11-year cinematographic investigation into Jones' apparent drowning in his pool in 1969.

According to official investigations into his demise, Jones died from drowning brought on by consumption of drink and drugs but Woolley believes differently after having "contracted private detectives to meet people who were there that night."

He leans toward myriad claims that Jones was killed by Frank Thorogood, a builders' supervisor who was working on the musician's home at the time of his death and who reportedly confessed to the crime on his deathbed 25 years later.

Thorogood was in charge of work being done on Jones' home at Cotchford Farm in Sussex, south eastern England, where he had moved in with Swedish girlfriend Anna Wohlin.

There had been disagreements between Jones and the building team on the progress of renovations and after apparent clear-the-air talks on July 2, 1969, Jones was found dead in his pool.

Present that fateful evening were Thorogood, Wohlin and friend Janet Lawson who, according to Woolley after he tracked the latter pair down, "told me the same story and that there had not been a party" on the fateful night.

The coroner's verdict was one of death by misadventure, amid reports that Jones had not been drinking heavily nor taking drugs.

"Stoned" is a first stab at directing by Woolley, better known for producing directors such as Neil Jordan.

The work reconstructs the life of Jones, who was eventually thrown out of the Stones for his excessive rock'n'roll lifestyle. The piece also highlights the coming together of two completely different worlds -- the rebel existence of the musician and the traditional one as represented by Thorogood.

"They are two distinct worlds. Frank is the real life United Kingdom of that era, while Jones represents the people, the imagination of those years," says Woolley.

He and Jones had a kind of love-hate relationship with Frank seemingly pulled in by the strength of the Jones' character while not wanting to become a part of the world which the Stones represented.

"It was a case of opposite poles attracting. Frank is traditional whereas Bryan was in the front line of what the '60s were all about," according to Leo Gregory, the actor who plays the part of Jones in the movie.
Gregory says the part was a challenge as he looked to get inside the life of someone who was "a personality I had little idea about."

"Everyone knows about the tragic deaths of Jimmy Hendrix or Janis Joplin, but not him," reflects Gregory, who revels in getting to grips with the role nonetheless because "this kind of role is a dream for any actor as it's not just playing someone who was an unknown but someone who signified and still signified a lot for many people."

Gregory rises to the challenge in style in a fast-moving film which highlights the sex, drugs and rock'n'roll character of the era, the '60s soundtrack lending it added authenticity -- although curiously no Stones songs feature.

"The Stones' songs people know are for the most part written by Keith (Richards) and Mick (Jagger). I preferred to highlight the music which Bryan made or which inspired him," says Woolley.

The result is a soundtrack including the likes of "Love in vain" or "Stop breaking down" by Robert Johnson, Bob Dylan's "Ballad of a thin man" and "Not fade away" by Buddy Holly.

Neither Woolley nor Gregory spoke with the remaining Stones' members in making the film. The former explains that he "took care that there wasn't any contact. This a film about Bryan Jones, not about the Rolling Stones," says Woolley, who adds that "their satanic majesties" -- the band -- have not seen his oeuvre.

The film's release has coincided more or less with a new Stones album and tour and Gregory recognises that "obviously things published about the Stones could be good for the film."

Until it arrived for showing at San Sebastian, where Woolley is up for a best director award, "Stoned" had only surfaced at the Edinburgh and Toronto festivals.

Miss U.

Message 228 - Tuesday 20th September 2005

ACCIDENTAL DEATH RULING FOR WATTS' FARM EMPLOYEES

Two employees of ROLLING STONES drummer CHARLIE WATTS drowned in a pond following a heavy drinking session, an inquest has ruled.

NORBERT BEDNARSKI, 28 and KRZYSTOF KWIECIEN, 41, both Polish, were having a picnic with another member of staff the day before they were found at Watts' stud farm in Devon, south west England.

The men had worked at the farm, run by Watts' wife SHIRLEY, since August last year (04) and were both described as "hardworking" during the inquest.

The verdict was accidental death.

Brian Jones fan # 666

Message 229 - Thursday 22nd September 2005

Have any of you seen the television programme "Dead Famous"? It's very similar to the Psychic Detective concept. They've done episodes on James Dean, Lucille Ball, Jim Morrison. Would like to see an episode on Brian.

Brian Jones fan # 666

Message 230 - Monday 26th September 2005

It seems as though the 'Stoned' trailor has appeared on Jonathon Ross' BBCs 'Film 2005'. I've checked on the website to see if the trailor has been put on there but nothing as of yet. I will keep checking though and keep you informed.

Clive Elkington

Message 231 - Monday 26th September 2005

hi! brian jones fan club...

"I felt it was essential to point out what a pioneer Brian was: Brian was the first person in England to play bottleneck guitar when nobody knew what it was. He had continued to develop his interest in different instruments and brought to our attention a great deal we might otherwise have missed. As for his personality, for all his weaknesses and hang-ups, his impertinence and terrible behaviour, he was a pivotal figure. As a symbol of the sixties that helped to shape us, he was entitled to a free pardon."

michaela

Message 232 - Monday 26th September 2005

This is not about some saintly talented person who was ill used and sadly snatched from life. Brian was in many ways a monster. He lived life so fast, he became a parody of '60s hedonism, with five kids by five different women, none of whom he acknowledged. He was the last decadent.

Andrea

Message 233 - Wednesday 28th September 2005

Live like a rockstar, die like one...and what a better way to end it all....?

jedrick

Message 234 - Wednesday 28th September 2005

In reply to Andrea. Nobody is saying Brian was a saint far from it. He wasn't the first or the last to father illegitimate children. How many fathers pay for their children today. A lot of of mothers don't even know who the fathers of their babies are.

I'm an unmarried mother from the sixties but I knew my babies father. Just in case you thought I was some sanctimonious so and so.

What's the saying? It takes two, and I'm sure like me the mother's don't regret having their babies.

Ann

Message 235 - Wednesday 28th September 2005

everyone, check this link http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/ukmovies/newmovies/comingsoon/stoned_set.shtml it is from Jonathon Ross' bbc programme Film 2005. at this page they have like a set report and a video clip of an interview with Stephen Wooley.

Clive Elkington

Message 236 - Thursday 29th September 2005

Sep. 13, 2005

Stoned By Michael Rechtshaffen

TORONTO

For a movie about a founding member of the world's most dangerous band, "Stoned" is a disappointingly dreary affair.

Chronicling the fall and further fall of Brian Jones, whose unquenchable thirst for hedonism contributed to his professional and personal demise, ending with his drowning in his own pool at the age of 27, the film dishes oodles of sex and drugs but skimps on the rock 'n' roll.

The upshot is tedious rather than titillating, and although the picture offers up an eleventh hour revelation regarding the circumstances surrounding Jones death, most viewers will likely be sufficiently underwhelmed to care by the time it arrives.

Although there's a considerable number of Jones fans who have been waiting impatiently for a big screen treatment, they'll get no satisfaction here.

Marking the directorial debut of Stephen Woolley, a veteran producer who has a long association with Neil Jordan, the story, penned by Neal Purvis and Robert Wade ("Die Another Day"), picks up on Jones' life when it's already well into downward spiral mode.

Preferring to take refuge in his East Sussex country retreat (the former home of "Winnie the Pooh" author AA Milne) over showing up for band practice, it's only a matter of time before Jones, played with an economy of complexity by Leo Gregory, gets sacked from the group.

Meanwhile, he occupies his days and nights in a drug-fueled perma-haze, getting it on with Anita Pallenberg (Monet Mazur) and Anna Wohlin (Tuva Novotny), among numerous others.

One day, during a fleeting moment of clarity, Brian decides to embark on some home improvements, and on the advice of his road manager, Tom Keylock (a Michael Caine-inflected David Morrissey) he hires builder Frank Thorogood (Paddy Considine) to carry out the work.

In short order Thorogood also becomes Jones' unofficial lackey, a role which is accompanied by increasing feelings of resentment and jealousy that will inevitably reach a boiling point.

The movie could have been called "Me and Mr. Jones" had that tricky relationship been a more focused element, but too often during "Stoned" it feels like Woolley, who has wanted to tell Jones story for more than a decade, isn't quite sure exactly what story he wants to tell.

As a result, the film, like its subject, keeps staggering around, listlessly repeating its actions.

Visually-speaking, "Stoned" does a fine job in recreating the era with sturdy contributions from director of photography John Mathieson ("Gladiator") and production designer John Beard ("The Skeleton Key") and, especially costume designer Roger Burton, who had practice with such music-related period pieces as "Absolute Beginners" and "Sid and Nancy."

Bottom line: This tedious portrait of a troubled Rolling Stone gathers no momentum.

http://www.thehollywoodreporter.com/thr/reviews/review_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001096939

Trevor Hobley

Message 237 - Wednesday 19th October 2005

Guys, here is the official site for the movie www.stonedthemovie.com with clips, trailer, wallpapers the lot.

Clive Elkington

Message 238 - Thursday 20th October 2005

hey guys on the site of the movie stoned, there's also a forum there. If you're interested here's the link:

http://www.stonedthemovie.com/forums/index.php?

Shania

Message 239 - Saturday 22nd October 2005

What ever happened to Brians money?

Jason Seymour

Message 240 - Wednesday 26th October 2005

love the trailer of the STONED! can't wait to watch the movie! :)

Poopy

Message 241 - Sunday 6th November 2005

Today’s national newspaper, the Independent on Sunday carried an article on Brian in their magazine supplement. For those unable to get a copy please click on the thumbnail alongside to read the contents.

Reporter Steve Bloomfield has been extremely accurate in his reporting of the interview Pat and I had with him a week or so ago and, although a lot of the content has been reported previously, high profile coverage of Brian’s death like this only goes to maintain the pressure on the authorities and ensure the general public’s awareness of Brian is maintained.

Although the article leads with considerable comment on the Cheltenham Bust, this subject was not discussed during our meeting with Mr Bloomfield and comes from his own research as does the biggest indictment of the Stones attitude towards Brian coming from the Keith Richards quote.

Probably the only criticism concerning my part of the interview involves the cost of our investigation, it has been considerable but nowhere near the six figure mark quoted. In with the latest edition of AfterMath I explained to Fan Club members the costs involved and as you all might recall it was in five figures, but not near the six figure mark.

All in all though we’d like to thank Mr Bloomfield for his balanced reporting.

Trevor Hobley

Message 242 - Sunday 6th November 2005

Don't miss tomorrow night on channel 4, "Who killed the Rolling Stone"? Monday 7th November.

Ann

Message 243 - Tuesday 8th November 2005

Just watched the channel program featuring all the usual suspects, Keylock, Wholin etc. Nothing that we don't already know , they all stick to the same story (ie) Brian drowned alone in the pool, then Anna eventually said she thought Frank did it. No mention of anyone else there that night, (ie) Fitzgerald, Elan, builders, etc etc, etc, One good point though, Keylock said he was at the studio in London with the rest of the band when he found out, this is BOLLOCKS as he actually said to police he went to pick up a guitar for Keith at Redlands, so we know he is lying!!!!!

THE FACT IS TOM WAS AT COTCHFORD WHEN BRIAN DIED AND HE MADE SURE THAT WHEN THEY DROWNED HIM NO ONE COULD GET UP THE LANE THROUGH BLUEBELL WOOD TO THE HOUSE, HE ALSO CLEARED THE HOUSE AFTER THE DEATH AND ORDERED THE FIRE AND EMPTYING OF THE HOUSE

Gary Wilson

Message 244 - Wednesday 9th November 2005

The Channel 4 documentary was, predictably, a rattle through Brian's life (telling us nothing new) with about 10 minutes left at the end. No "expert" opinions from say, pathologists or medical professionals which would have been useful. Tabloid stuff really. A few observations which I would be interested to hear some views on.

1. Financial conspiracy theory. Brian owed about 160 grand when he died, offset by around 35 grand in assets (presumably the sale of Cotchford Farm). Was this owed to the Inland Revenue? Presumably, in view of the Stones later problems. The Klein settlement in 1971 will have brought in about 100 grand. I have never discovered what the outcome was of the Stones lawsuits against Oldham and Easton. Royalties since will have wiped out the debt and his beneficiaries (family) will also have benefited from the "Circus" releases...well done ABCKO!

2. The drug found in Brian's body was an amphetamine - but I cannot understand why (unless it was a huge amount) it could have been a factor. According to the witnesses Brian took some sleepers ( a more likely factor) yet no trace in the autopsy. Has anyone considered that he could have just passed out in the pool - Brain did this on occasions (and is not uncommon amongst "users".

3.Do readers know the whereabouts of a number of key personnel and were they contacted in regards to the Stoned film: Fitzgerald, Cadbury, Mick Martin (gardener), Dave Thomson (photographer), Helen ? (referred to in one of the books), Brian (chauffeur in the last couple of years) Susan Arnold (Fan Club Secretary and Stones employee), Stan Blackbourn and Fred Trowbridge (Bookkeepers). Leonard Mayles (Accountant).

4. The infamous bonfire: what precisely was burnt: drug paraphernalia? porn material? incriminating correspondence/files/bills/photos etc

A final thought: Anna Wholin was indeed brave to come and face the camera, now what about an interview with Janet Lawson?

John Lowe

Message 245 - Thursday 10th November 2005

re: the infamous bonfire... we've talked this one dry on many occasions.... but what we keep coming back to is that maybe a key player in that nights' events rang Brian's father & made out "There's a lot of stuff lying around here you wouldn't want the police or the papers getting hold of now, would you?" In a state of shock Mr. Jones could well have, as it's mentioned in this book or that book.. to burn it... also suspect it was probably suggested to Mr. Jones first, can't believe any parent would say, o.k burn all my sons possessions as you're there!!???? maybe way off the track here, but what do YOU think happened ?

The channel 4 docu was quite upsetting even for us die-hard fans... how much Brian bashing can you squeeze into 40 mins or so... apart from Pat, & maybe Paul Jones. Surely whatever he did he's paid the price for now? It's crap because you could almost hear the public echoing, as the credits rolled... "well he got what he deserved then didn't he?" as they did when they read the papers in 1969.... and NATURALLY- let's shove in a few shocking scenes from the STONED film... well it all had Mick & Keiths' approval didn't it?

Tracey & Phil

Message 246 - Friday 11th November 2005

It seemed to be very obvious that Tom Keylock held Brian in contempt, he had no time for him and obviously only has sympathy for the treacherous devils that are Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, he seems to worship at their feet and I feel that he would have no hesitation in screwing Brian over.

Cathy Cullen

Message 247 - Saturday 12th November 2005

I just wanted to know about Brians father, when Brian died why didn't Brian father take control of his personal things instead of them being burned.

I would like to have heard what Brians father thought of this.

Jason

Message 248 - Wednesday 16th November 2005

Looking forward to the new film about Brian, l never would except what people said about his death, l'm pleased that their are so many people are interested in his work and life. It has been overlooked by the stones over the years. Thank you to all the people who have written good things about him, because no jones, no stones, please remember that, mr jagger, and mr richards.

Paul Smith

Message 249 - Wednesday 16th November 2005

The real Brian Jones

He was the original Rolling Stone, who drowned in mysterious circumstances at the age of 27. But his girlfriend at the time, Anna Wohlin, says she knows who killed him. With a biopic about to be released, she tells Louise Jury the true story behind his death

Published: 16 November 2005 in The Independant.

She has spent all her adult life as a footnote to rock 'n' roll history: the young, Swedish girlfriend of Brian Jones, the woman who found him dead in his swimming pool.

In the immediate aftermath, Anna Wohlin suffered depression and a miscarriage of the child she and Jones did not even know they were expecting. In the 36 years since, she has married and had a daughter, Amanda, and set up her own clothes boutique in Stockholm, whence she returned after the turmoil of Jones's death.

To most of the people who know her these days, she is Anna, who plays golf, sees her friends and is currently planning her 60th birthday celebrations next May. Only those closest to her know the story of her colourful youth on the fringes of one of the biggest bands in rock history, The Rolling Stones.

But now she is preparing for a renewed flurry of notoriety as her early life is reprised in Stoned, a new movie chronicling Stones founder Jones's final years and his death at the age of 27.

As a consequence, Wohlin is speaking to The Independent and has given a rare interview to a Swedish magazine, which is making her very nervous.

"Only my friends know. I don't talk about it," she says at home in Sweden. "I have a shop and I don't know what my customers will have to say." For the film certainly shows the swinging side of the Sixties, a period when Wohlin came to London and partied with the likes of Roman Polanski, Peter Sellers and Jimi Hendrix.

"You must remember that when I lived in London, it was very small. It was very easy to get to know all these people. If you wanted to go to the best clubs and you were young and Swedish it was very easy. It was a great time," she says.

The film may still shock her more conservative customers. It shows the heady excitement of life around The Rolling Stones, but then Jones's growing estrangement from the band, whose other members finally kicked him out for failing to turn up to rehearsals.

It follows Jones's final months, living with Wohlin at the idyllic Cotchford Farm in East Sussex once owned by the Winnie the Pooh creator AA Milne, and his tricky relationship with his builder, Frank Thorogood.

Wohlin first came to Britain at the age of 16 to study at a school in Wales, but quickly gravitated to London. She was part of a dance troupe, The Ravens, when she met Jones at The Speakeasy Club, and he asked her to move in with him on the farm. It was there that Jones was discovered in the pool on the night of 3 July 1969, by Wohlin and Janet Lawson, a friend of Thorogood's.

Though rock 'n' roll legend has it that Jones was drugged to the eyeballs, the coroner's report found little evidence of drugs in his system, while his blood alcohol level represented the equivalent of him having drunk three-and-a-half pints of beer.

Both the film and Wohlin's memoirs suggest that he was largely clean by then, after the shock of being busted by the police a couple of years earlier. He had even assaulted Wohlin upon discovering that she was still popping prescription pills.

She concedes that his life before they became lovers genuinely was the hedonistic party of legend. She had previously resisted his advances despite adoring him for five years for fear of becoming simply another conquest. But she swears that he was calmer by the time they got together in 1969. "He had stopped with the drugs," she says. "He was so scared about drugs.

When he was busted and all that, he hated it. He hated the police. People have the wrong impression."

Those final months were brilliant, she says, because they were young and in love. "I lived with Brian and it was very nice and easy. He was very happy about his country life. He said it was the first time in his whole life that he felt he had a home." He wanted to marry her and settle down, and bring his two sons, Mark and Julian, by previous relationships, to visit.

"He was prepared to have a family. He wanted to have a big family and lots of dogs. He was even talking about having horses."

Most histories of the Rolling Stones maintain that the other band members kicked him out. But Wohlin says that Jones was thinking about leaving before that. A blues purist, he disliked the musical direction the band was taking, and did not want to tour America any more.

"So many times the car would come down [to take him to the studios] and Brian would say, 'Anna, you'll have to go out and tell them I'm not going to go, I don't want to.'"

For years Wohlin had refused to talk about their time together - not least because she had signed a contract with The Rolling Stones' management to discuss his death only with their agreement. But she read legions of stories that scarcely represented the man she remembered, and finally decided she would go public after she and her husband divorced a decade ago.

"My husband was quite jealous and he didn't want to know about Brian," she says. Her version of events, The Wild and Wycked World of Brian Jones, was published five years ago and has been re-issued to coincide with the release of Stoned. Its director, Stephen Woolley, who was previously best known for producing hits such as The Crying Game and Scandal, met Wohlin a couple of times in the 10 years he spent developing the movie, and she hopes that their efforts will correct the impression of a nasty and petulant hedonist out of his head on the night he died.

For both she and Woolley believe Thorogood's deathbed confession that he was to blame for the death, not drugs and drink. His relations with Jones had been tense at the time, with rows over bills and his workmanship, and they fear that resentment bubbled over when the men were messing around in the pool.

"I don't think Frank meant to kill him, because I don't think he was a killer," she says. "I think it was some sort of horseplay. I think it went too far."

Thorogood's behaviour on the night was strange, she says. As Wohlin scrabbled to save Jones, he would do nothing to help. The tragedy sent Wohlin into a deep and long-lasting shock, and she blamed herself for leaving Jones alone with Thorogood while she went to answer the telephone.

"I kept silent all these years because, even if I had friends who [would have] supported me, I was a little bit scared over it. I knew something was very wrong.

He didn't die of drowning because he was drunk and drugged, but how could I prove it? I couldn't."

The Rolling Stones' management stepped in, apparently arranging for the farmhouse to be cleared and spiriting her away out of the country because, "I was just a nuisance, I was just a problem." But Charlie Watts and Bill Wyman were "very nice to me", even if, she claims, Mick Jagger never replied when she wrote.

Today, Wohlin admits that she is still angry, not least at herself for not being stronger. She wishes that she had insisted on staying for the funeral, and is torn between believing that the police should re-open the case - a possibility at one point because of the publicity surrounding the film - and letting matters lie.

Despite quibbles that the movie underplays Jones's strengths as a musician and takes artistic licence with the swimming pool scenes, Wohlin is pleased that it is being released. "I think it does justice to him," she says.

I ask her whether she has any regrets and she pauses.

"I would never, ever wish anyone to experience that painful moment when he died. I wish that I had never experienced that," she says. "But I have never regretted meeting Brian, because he gave me so much.
"Brian was fantastic. What I loved about him was that he was caring and generous and he had a sense of humour. We could talk to each other about everything.

He was clever and he was a brilliant musician. I still miss him."

'The Wild and Wycked World of Brian Jones' is produced by Blake Publishing, priced £17.99; 'Stoned' goes on general release on 18 November.

Miss U.

Message 250 - Wednesday 16th November 2005

I think this song by John Hiatt is very fitting....to whom killed Brian:

That girl you were seein' back in '72

Somethin' 'bout a hotel room and bath water in your shoes

Were you into your Catholic thing then or some other stew

Were you both holed up in that hotel room practicing voodoo

It'll come to you

Don't look back, it'll come to you

In the middle of the night, with you covers pulled up tight It'll come to you

And that business partner you took for every red cent

You can't even remember where all of that money went

Some on liquor and women, maybe a little rent

But as far as paying it back, Buddy, you ain't made a dent

It'll come to you

Don't look back, it'll come to you

In the middle of the night, with you covers pulled up tight It'll come to you

Yes they'll all be standin' 'round you in your sleep

Askin' for a promise you couldn't keep

'Cause back when you were hollow inside

You were tryin' to puff yourself up with your own foolish pride

Now you're happily married with a wife and kids of you're own

But sometimes in the closet at night you can hear them rattlin' bones

Takin' bets on your future and your current postal zone

It's a spooky equation, but check out yourself, Jack, you're the great unknown

It'll come to you

Don't look back, it'll come to you

In the middle of the night, with you covers pulled up tight It'll come to you

Miss U.