Brian Jones : The Last Decadent

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Summary: Brian Jones: A Powerful PISCES & Musical Vissionary!
Review: ... This book about the life, death, and character of Brian Jones is absolutely as beautiful as it is chilling! ... Jeremy Reed has the gifted ability to transcend time and space and bring us right into the heart and soul - and life circumstances at the time of his death - of Brian Jones, founder and one-time leader of The Rolling Stones. ... I do not know if the conclusion of this book is true: that Brian Jones was killed and murdered in the swimming pool at his own country home by a group of bloody blockheads who were friends with employees of the Rolling Stones organization; but after reading this book, Bill Wyman's STONE ALONE, and the most recent OLD GODS ALMOST DEAD (about The Rolling Stones, by Stephen Davis), there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that Brian Jones' death was no accident! ... I was pissed after reading this book! Pissed, and sad. ... Where in the hell were the other Rolling Stones within hours of this happening to Brian, and why did they NOT insist on a thorough, precise, and intense investigation into his death?! THIS question haunts me MORE than if Brian was murdered or died of "misadventure;" MORE than if Brian was heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual; and even MORE than if he, indeed, was getting his act together and on the verge of forming another great band. (On the last postulation, I have no doubt!). ... So, the real question to ask is: If Brian Jones was murdered, WHY was Brian murdered - and more importantly - to WHOSE BENEFIT would it be to see Brian dead? ... RIGHT?! ... 1969 was a bad year: The Beatles broke-up, Brian Jones "died," and The Rolling Stones had to suffer their own DEGREE OF MURDER (indeed!) during Altamont. ... The Beatles and The Stones had a lot in common, but especially astrologically. Both bands had a combination of 2 trines and 2 squares. In the Beatles, Lennon (Libra) and McCartney (Gemini) were both trined AIR signs, whereas Harrison (Pisces) and Starr (Cancer) were both trined WATER signs. Also, Lennon was "squared" to Starr, and McCartney was "squared" to Harrison. ... In the Stones, Jones (Pisces) and Wyman (Scorpio) were both trined WATER signs, whereas Jagger (Leo) and Richards (Sagittarius) are both trined FIRE signs. Jones was "squared" to Richards, and Wyman was "squared" to Jagger. The 5th member of The Stones, Charlie Watts (a Gemini), is "opposite" Richards, "sextiled" to Jagger, "inconjunct" to Wyman, and ALSO "squared" to Jones. THIS made Brian the odd man out, with a DOUBLE-SQUARE against him!! Oppositions are no picnic, but they harbour a certain degree of respect. Squares, on the other hand, can be VERY disrespectful. ... This book sheds much light on the sensitive soul of Brian Jones. Pages 29 and 94 also have some very inuitively perceptive and right-on remarks about serious sociological realities in modern capitalist societies; realities that - as a true artist - Brian found himself at odds with. Yet, unlike Jagger & Richards - who tried to bribe their way out of jail - when Brian got busted the first time, he honestly and openly admitted that the pot and / or hash - and ONLY that - were his. He did not lie! He may have been a petty thief at times, an irresponsible parent, and an abusive misogynist - to say nothing of his alcohol abuse - but he was honorable, dignified, and true to his artistic and individualistic spirit till the end. ... He loved music. Brian Jones was a Dionysiac Adonis and a Lord of The Muse, who he served with all his heart and soul. ... This book sheds light on the truth. If you love Brian Jones, if you love The Rolling Stones, and if you love the music that inspired them all to devote their lives to it, then you MUST read this short, but very insightful, book by Jeremy Reed. It is truly a labor of love. - The Aeolian Kid.

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Summary: Brian Jones gets his comeuppance!
Review: After years of people making excuses for the behavior of the beautiful Brian Jones, someone has finally written a book that gives a nod to his magnificent talent and style. Writing from a socialogical point of view, Reed comments on Brian's place in history comparing him to Quentin Crisp and Oscar Wilde. If there had to be a complaint it would be Marianne Faithful as a source. The woman was way too stoned to remember anything clearly. This is an interesting companion piece to Nicholas Fitzgerald and Anna Wohlin's memories of Brian Jones. Reed didn't KNOW Jones personally, but he did understand him. A very worthwhile read.

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Summary: Refreshing
Review: It's amazing that no one has ever written a really good book about the Rolling stones founder Brian Jones. I myself have been a Brian Jones fan for over twenty years and during this time there have been seven books written about him and only one book was decent. Jeremy Reed's book is filled with unfounded rumours that Brian Jones was forming a supergroup with both John Lennon and Jimi Hendrix, and that he was murdered. Now there's another new unfounded rumour. Brian Jones was a bisexual because he wore womens hats and jewelry. Okay. If you like tabloid books you will love this one. The author did absolutely no research, he interviewed only one person that knew Brian Jones, and takes most of his information from other tabloid biographies about Brian Jones. I suggest DON"T WASTE YOUR MONEY.

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Summary: Rubbish!
Review: This is the most ridiculous book on a music celebrity I've ever read. The author never met Jones and the book is really not about Brian Jones, it is about one thing and one thing alone, the author is on a mission to prove that to be talented in any art form one just HAS to be gay. Comparing Brian with gay artist down through the ages it never lets up, pounding away page after page, [...] Look at the way he dressed like a dandy! (no mention here that Keith dressed the same) Look at the way he took care of his hair! (we all know straight rock stars pay no attention to their hair!) The point of no return came for me when the writer stated straight out that the reason that Brian was talented at all was, (you guessed it) [...] Please, get the Clayson book if you want a traditional bio on Brian (you know one that tells you ABOUT HIS LIFE!) and not a ridiculous book based on a pointless premise.