Both the Beatles and the Rolling Stones were the biggest bands of the sixties,perhaps even today,both bands continue to inspire new generations of fans-kids who continue to form their own bands after hearing their songs and keep rock music's flame alive.
We all know that the Rolling Stones were still rocking almost 50 years after they were formed.Still touring to great acclaim.While the Beatles still mesmerize would be musicians and people of all ages even after the band broke up in 1970.
Its quite fascinating to know that most rock bands of the sixties and seventies has endured time and space and their songs remain fresh as they were first recorded and released.The Beatles and the Rolling Stones were often presented by the music press as 'rival' groups but in real life these groups were among the best of friends.Bill Wyman mentioned in his 2001 book Rolling With The Stones wherein he said that whatever the press would love to write about the Stones and the Beatles rivalry,he has all his respect and love for the fab four and he even mentioned how sad he was when he heard that the band had broken up in 1970.Wyman even mentioned that theres not one household that didn't own a Beatles record.The Rolling Stones had their first hit in 1963 with "I Wanna Be Your Man" written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney in which it was presented to them as a gift.
One proof of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones' friendship is the special connection between George Harrison and Brian Jones.Two special people who are certified geniuses in their own right.George Harrison known as the "Quiet Beatle" was the lead guitar for the band while Brian Jones was the eccentric,multi-instrumentalist and was the leader and founder of the Rolling Stones.
The personal rift between Jones and the Jagger-Richards' axis was not a secret and both Mick Jagger and Keith Richards had done interviews telling the music press on how hard it was to work with Brian in the latter days and on how each of them would argue on different musical tastes.Brian Jones was booted out of the band in late 1968,he died a year later when he drowned in his pool.Some say he commited suicide over the pain of getting booted out of the band he himself had founded.Others say he was murdered,however,the case remains an open verdict.
George Harrison on the other hand,had more kinder memories of Brian.Both guitarists had a special kind of friendship while the music press were making money by writing rumors about the Beatles and the Stones rivalry--even comparing each other's musical style.Harrison had mentioned his friendship with Brian Jones on several books including the Beatles Anthology-a collection of interviews,memoirs,and quotes straight from the band members themselves.The book became a bestseller and had sold a million copies worldwide.
George Harrison had mentioned Jones would come to his house often and they would chat together and exchange ideas."He would come to my house and shout 'George! George!' I would let him in.He was a good mate.He would pick up my sitar and play it and then the next thing I knew he did 'Paint It Black'".This was mentioned during the time the Beatles had just finished recording Norwegian Wood featuring George Harrison on sitar.So the influences between the two biggest groups in the planet were constantly moving.Not to mention their friendships and respects with each other.
George also describes Brian on the Beatles Anthology as a good friend and how he was delighted with the common things they both share."We share similar positions in the most prominent bands in the universe,me with John and Paul and him with Mick and Keith.We even share the same birthdays:me on the February 25th and him on February 28th",adds Harrison who also mentioned of seeing his good friend Brian Jones not long before he died and how he was saddened to hear of his death.
George Harrison went on and released solo albums after the Beatles broke up in 1970.He died of metastatic lung cancer on November 29,2001.Both George Harrison and Brian Jones were the most prominent figures in rock music and will always remain in our hearts forever.Whether you're a Beatles or a Rolling Stones fan or a person who couldn't decide which of these two great bands you like better,the influence of these groups will continue to inspire generations ahead of us.
(c) Keith Vernon Adagio
