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Rolling Stones quotes: Andrew Oldham on Brian Jones’ contribution in the Aftermath album (1966)

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By the time The Rolling Stones recorded Aftermath in 1966, Brian Jones was quietly reshaping what the band could be. While Mick Jagger and Keith Richards drove the songs, Jones filled them with unexpected colors—adding dulcimer, sitar, marimbas, and whatever else the music seemed to need. His talent wasn’t just playing instruments, but turning unusual sounds into unforgettable hooks. Tracks like Lady Jane, Paint It Black and Under My Thumb gained much of their identity through his experimentation. More than decoration, Jones helped move the Stones beyond blues roots and into bold new territory, proving innovation often starts in the details.

“Brian’s contribution can be heard on every track of those recordings at RCA. What that guy didn’t play, he went out and learned. You can hear his colour all over songs like Lady Jane or Paint It Black. In some instances it was more than a decorative effect. Sometimes Brian pulled the whole record together”

The Stones’ Shifting Sound

When the Rolling Stones entered RCA Studios in Los Angeles to record Aftermath in 1966, Brian Jones emerged as the band’s secret weapon. Andrew Loog Oldham later recalled how Jones’ fingerprints were everywhere—whether it was a dulcimer on Lady Jane, sitar on Paint It Black, or marimbas on Under My Thumb. What made his role extraordinary wasn’t just the sheer variety of instruments, but his drive to learn something new if the song demanded it. He wasn’t content with background flourishes. Often, Jones’ parts weren’t just decoration; they became the spine that held entire tracks together, giving them a distinctive edge that no one else in the band could have produced. In that sense, Brian was the restless experimenter, painting the Stones’ blues-rock canvas with exotic shades and textures that transformed them from a gritty R&B outfit into innovators of a new psychedelic sound.

A Legacy in Layers

By reshaping their sonic identity Jones opened the door to the band’s most adventurous period. His eclectic touches created atmospheres that challenged audiences’ expectations and gave the Stones a credibility that extended beyond rock. While Mick and Keith often took the spotlight, it was Brian’s curiosity and willingness to push boundaries that broadened the group’s reach. Without his inventive spirit, Aftermath might have been just another mid-’60s rock record—instead, it became a milestone.

Looking back, Jones’ contributions remind us how much subtle details can define a band’s evolution. His musical “colour,” as Oldham described it, wasn’t just ornamental—it was transformative. Those shimmering tones and unusual textures still echo today, proof that sometimes the most lasting influence comes from the restless search for new sounds.

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