Born on this day in 1942, Brian Lewis Hopkin Jones, the English multi-instrumentalist and singer best known as the founder, rhythm/lead guitarist, and original leader of The Rolling Stones, would have turned 82.
There would have been no Rolling Stones without Brian. He founded the band as a British blues outfit in 1962 and gave the band its name, prior to fellow band members Keith Richards and Mick Jagger taking over the band's musical direction, especially after they became a successful songwriting team. Jones, however, did not get along with the band's manager, Andrew Loog Oldham, who pushed the band into a musical direction at odds with Jones' blues background, and with whom he got into many fights. This alienated Jones and he developed alcohol and drug problems. His performance in the studio became increasingly unreliable, leading to a diminished role within the band he had founded. In June 1969, the Rolling Stones dismissed Jones; guitarist Mick Taylor took his place in the group. Less than a month later, Jones died by drowning in the swimming pool at his home at Cotchford Farm, East Sussex. In 1989, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Rolling Stones.