Brian Jones Performing Live With The Rolling Stones

On July 3, 1969 the body of founding The Rolling Stones member Brian Jones was found dead, having tragically drowned in his swimming pool. Officially ruled “death by misadventure” his unfortunate passing was one of several in the rock world making him part of the notorious group of late 27-year-old musicians including Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison, later dubbed the “27 Club.”

While Jones’ issues with addiction and at times erratic behavior led to his leaving the band and being replaced by Mick Taylor shortly before his death, the multi-instrumentalist was essential to the early development of the now iconic rock group. His final contributions can be heard on the band’s 1968 album Beggars Banquet and the 1969 follow-up LP Let It Bleed. In honor of the influential multi-instrumentalist rock musician, below is a collection of videos capturing Jones performing live with The Rolling Stones in the mid-1960s.

First up are a pair of videos from 1966 that showcase Jones on the marimba playing the The Stones hit “Under My Thumb” and his sitar playing on “Paint It Black.” Watch the classic footage below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6d8eKvegLI

Jones’ slide guitar playing is on display in this video from a 1964 appearance on the The Arthur Haynes Show television program. Here’s frontman Mick Jagger leading the outfit through “I Wanna Be Your Man”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZZq-ERcJuo

Another 1964 television appearance, this time on the Dean Martin-hosted Hollywood Palace, once again features the many talents Jones possessed as he augments the cover of Buddy Holly’s “Not Fade Away” on harmonica. Watch the interaction between Jones and guitarist Keith Richards in this clip:

Playing a woodwind instrument similar to a recorder, Jones can be seen in color in this 1967 appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. Sitting next to Richards on a piano bench, watch Jones and The Stones play “Ruby Tuesday” followed by his taking over the keys for “Let’s Spend The Night Together” here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5izzqAm3-Y