When I was writing Brian Jones’ Diary I came upon The Brian Jones Fan Club site where the editor Trevor Hobley has amassed a vast website of Brian Jones information, pictures and even a place to buy Rolling Stones bootlegs.
Hobley writes, “Our first member joined the newly reformed Brian Jones Fan Club on the 3rd June 2003 and the first edition of the Fan Clubs fanzine, AfterMath, was distributed to just 14 members on the 31st August 2003. However, we must have been doing something right because when it came to distributing Issue # 2, in early December 2003, the membership had more than doubled by reaching 35 and that became the trend throughout the first year. We eventually passed the 100 member milestone in September 2004 and currently the membership stands at 140.” He is looking for new members and donations so go onto the site and give him a shout.
Hobely’s crowning achievement of the BJF club is the Brian Jones Living Museum. Centrepiece of the museum will be a replica white VOX Teardrop guitar, designed to the exact specification as Brian’s own Teardrop by Pat Townshend. Hutchins Guitars, a company specialising in replica guitars have agreed to produce a limited edition Brian Jones Teardrop and # 001 will be donated to the museum. And there will be other displays: photos, instruments and testimonials from those who grew up with the “wonder-kid” from Cheltenham.
Statue Not Wanted in Brian’s Home Town
But Cheltenham, Brian’s birthplace, was not really receptive to having a likeness of Brian in its midst. Here are a few quotes from the website on what the local press had to say after the announcement that a bust of Brian Jones would be unveiled in the town’s Beechwood Shopping Mall on the 3rd July 2005.:
Monumental Argument’ – ‘Rolling Stone’s Statue Gathers Very Few Friends’ – ‘Addict Is No Role Model For Spa Town’ – ‘ We Don’t Want A Statue To Rolling Stone Brian Jones In Our Town’ –’ Town Divided By The Lifestyle And Legacy Of Brian Jones’
However, the bust was eventually unveiled of the “Golden Boy” but, unfortunately, it wasn’t a good likeness and the hair looked like “an omelet.” (They should have got the same sculptor who did “Rocky.”) Hobley says they are trying to correct this.
His Grave is Well Marked
But the most amazing page on the whole site is the map that shows you where to find Brian’s grave! (You can actually download it and print it off.) On Sunday the 3rd July, as has been the custom for many years, BJFC members met at the graveside to pay their respects to Brian. One of these days I’ll make it there.
So check out the site and join up!





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