Introduction
Mick Jagger Reflects on Brian Jones: “We Were Young, Brilliant, and Broken in Different Ways”
Over five decades after the tragic death of Brian Jones, co-founder of The Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger has opened up in a rare and deeply personal reflection on their early years, their complicated relationship, and the legacy Jones left behind.
In a recent interview, Jagger admitted that talking about Brian hasn’t always been easy.
“We were kids when we started the band. There was no roadmap, no rulebook. Just music, ambition, and a whole lot of chaos,” he said. “Brian was the spark in those early days. He had the look, the sound, the attitude. Without him, the Stones wouldn’t have existed.”
Brian Jones, often credited with shaping the band’s unique early sound through his multi-instrumental genius, left The Rolling Stones just weeks before his death in 1969. His struggle with addiction, creative differences, and isolation had led to tensions within the group—tensions Jagger now views with more compassion.
“Looking back, I wish we had known how to help him,” Jagger said quietly. “We were all under pressure, but Brian carried something heavier. He was brilliant, but troubled.”
Despite the personal conflicts that emerged, Jagger made it clear that Jones’s contribution to the band and to music history is undeniable. He praised Jones’s daring spirit, his love of experimentation, and his influence on tracks like Paint It Black and Under My Thumb.
“He wasn’t just a bandmate,” Jagger added. “He was a part of our musical DNA.”
When asked how he remembers Brian today, Jagger didn’t hesitate.
“With a mixture of sadness, respect, and a strange kind of gratitude. We lost him too soon, but what he gave us is timeless.”
As fans continue to revisit the legacy of Brian Jones, Mick Jagger’s candid words offer a rare glimpse into a complicated friendship—and a recognition that behind the fame, they were still just young men trying to find their place in the world.