3/5 A Hard Subject to Pin Down .
  by S. Hill
Brian Jones is one of the hardest of all of the 60's British Invasion rock musicians to write about accurately due to a variety of reasons. While he, not Mick Jagger or Keith Richards, founded the Rolling Stones, he died before they really came into their own as recognizable, world superstars with much of the general rock public. By that time, most of the focus was on Mick Jagger, and later, Keith Richards. The Stones of the 70's made a deliberate attempt to put Jones behind them, and largely succeeded. Also, Jones' private life was such a debacle, contrary to the public image he presented of being the most intelligent, sensitive, and stylish Stone, that many people present at the time either have had difficulty in figuring out quite what it was that made him tick, or are reluctant to talk about it because the story is not pretty. Clayson's book has the same problem as many other books I have read on Brian. The fact that he was such a mixture of different, and often opposite characteristics makes it hard to really figure out exactly who he really was. Maybe even he didn't know. One minute he comes across as an intelligent, talented, and basically decent guy, while the next minute he comes across as a totally selfish, manipulative, cruel, and unfeeling monster. However, from what I have been able to read about him over the years, this really was one of the defining characteristics of his personality. Clayson has attempted to get to the bottom of this Jekyll and Hyde enigma who was so ahead of his time musically in England in the early 60's (as well as in so many other, perhaps less desirable ways) by trying to blame his family background. The problem with this is that lots of people were raised the same way, and didn't end up fathering (and neglecting) numerous illigitimate children by different women, abusing their mothers and other women whom he had sexual relations with, getting wasted beyond all usefulness on alcohol and just about any other drugs he could get his hands on, and generally throwing everything away that he had worked so hard for in the first place. In my opinion, as a writer Clayson has a tendency to get rather wordy, which leaves the reader sometimes wading through much flowery language. This said, the book is definitely worth a read if you are at all curious or interested in the Rolling Stones, or if you are aware at all that Brian Jones was a very important part of their success. Many people are not. He has, unfairly, become a mere footnote to most of the general public today in the history of the band. However, as good as the book is, the definitive bio on Jones has yet to be written.

4/5 Almost Perfect
  by Talking Wall (Queen Creek, AZ)
Clayson almost nails the life and times of Brian Jones. There is a lot of information here and the read is respectful and poignant. You find that yes, Brian Jones had a lot of faults as a human that should anger just about anyone, but you also end up feeling very sorry for Brian. You learn that behind that boyish grin from the stage there was a lot of emotional pain. What a pity the Stones organization didn't see it for what it was and help the young star. The Rolling Stones were never the same without Brian. They went on to do some good stuff but in my opinion the "English-ness" of the band was lost when the Stones lost Brian. I just wish there had been more information about Jones' contributions to the actual recordings. When we listen to releases like Aftermath, Between the Buttons, Satanic Majesties, and Beggar's Banquet, there is no way those records could have been made with out Jones.

5/5 Alan Clayson on Brian Jones
  by GhostofBrianJones
I really liked this book. I thought it was accurate, and detailed and
provided a wealth of information into the early Stones, and how they
became a legend. I would keep this book for reference as it chronicles
each step of the way for Brian, his life and his relationship with the
band.