As you may know, there’s no period of The Rolling Stones that I like better than what I call the “Brian Jones era.” I refer to it as such with full knowledge that Jones may not have contributed much, after helping Mick Jagger and Keith Richards to come together and study Da Blooz, beyond his ability to drive the band with his awesome Rhythm Look and an aptitude for coloring songs with his vast collection of “exotic” instruments. What’s never been clear to me, though, is whether Jones actually contributed anything special on the guitar. I, as much as Richard Lloyd, Martin Belmont, and anyone else who’s passed through these hallowed halls, frequently refer to the band’s legendary twin-guitar attack, but can we actually pinpoint what Jones did other than stay out of the way of Richards’ riffs?
A couple of weeks ago E. Pluribus Gergely called me with the following discovery, which he said was the first example he’s seen of Jones playing an audible, prominent rhythm guitar part. It’s the band playing “Oh Carol” on the Mike Douglas Show in 1964. I’ve watched this clip a few times and, although Jones’ part is easily discernable, I think my friend gave Jones a little too much credit. The execution is nothing special, is it?
I’d love to hold onto the belief that Richards-Jones set the template for all that I love about twin-guitar attacks in rock ‘n roll, but please help me find live video evidence of Jones doing anything worthwhile on guitar. Thanks.
By the way, Douglas and his old fart guests’ dismissive intro of the band and the segment at the end of the lip-synched performance of “Tell Me,” when a couple of giddy teenagers come up to meet the band, are priceless.
Finally, it goes without saying that I’m not allowing the following lip-synched performance as evidence, as much as I’d love to:
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