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Rolling Stones Quotes: Keith Richards on Brian Jones
“There are some people who you know aren’t going to get old… Brian and I agreed that he, Brian, wouldn’t live very long… I remember saying, ‘You’ll never make thirty, man,’ and he said, ‘I know.”
Brian Jones was the heart of the Rolling Stones in their early days—a gifted multi-instrumentalist with a deep love for the blues. But by the late 1960s, his role in the band had begun to fade. As Mick Jagger and Keith Richards took the reins as primary songwriters, Brian became increasingly isolated, struggling with addiction and personal demons.
Keith’s Reflection on Brian’s Fate
Looking back, Keith Richards has spoken openly about Brian’s self-destructive nature. “There are some people who you know aren’t going to get old…” Keith once said, hinting at the tragic inevitability of Brian’s early death at just 27 years old. The pressure of fame, combined with his own inner struggles, seemed to push him further away from both the band and himself.
A Complicated Relationship
Keith Richards and Brian Jones had a turbulent history—starting as close friends, their bond fractured over time due to creative tensions and personal conflicts, including Brian’s resentment toward Keith’s relationship with Anita Pallenberg. Still, despite their differences, Keith has always acknowledged Brian’s massive influence on the Stones’ early sound.
Brian’s Lasting Legacy
Even decades later, Keith speaks of Brian with a mix of admiration and regret. He recognizes that, despite his troubles, Brian was a musical pioneer who left an indelible mark on rock history. His untimely death was a huge loss, but his legacy lives on through the music he helped create, ensuring that he will never be forgotten. And he never will.
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