Sun 2/23 @ 7PM
1969 wasn’t the best year for the Rolling Stones. Not only did it end with the infamous concert at Altamont Speedway in California where the Hells’ Angels stabbed a concertgoer to death, but founding member Brian Jones drowned in his swimming pool less than a month after the band fired him for his instability and erratic behavior.
Until Mick Jagger emerged as the band’s star, Jones had been its iconic figure, with his beautiful baby face, thick blonde hair and multi-instrumental skills, which sadly eroded as he fell prey to greater and greater drug use. The 60s “Swinging London” lifestyle, which he lived to the hilt, ultimately undid him and he began to unravel after Keith Richards stole his model girlfriend Anita Pallenberg.
Clearly, it’s a great story for a film, and Danny Garcia’s Rolling Stone: Life and Death of Brian Jones tells the whole sad tale of wasted talent and a life that ended too young (he was 27). It also purports to have evidence that Jones was murdered and this was covered up, pretty much a de rigueur contention when someone famous dies under such circumstances. But Jones’ condition at the time makes it likely he died as claimed, and his life story doesn’t need contrived suspense to make it more compelling.
The film screens at the Grog Shop. Tickets are $10; $12 at the door for under 21.
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Cleveland, OH 44106