nick_allen wrote: I must just say that it is ludicrous to suggest that, at any time, on a worldwide or even national level, Brian Jones was as famous as either Marilyn or JFK (and note we don't even have to give the full names of either of the latter two!)
Well Nick, we are in partial disagreement on this point and that's fine. I am not here to make sheep out of anyone. Say Marilyn to any teenager or younger focus group today and they will probably think of Marilyn Manson long before they think of Ms. Monroe. But say Movie star Marilyn Monroe. No problem that same group of people will almost assuredly know who she was. Ask them to name a movie that she was in and that may be a bit more of more difficult task.
Say President JFK to the same focus group and there should be no problem with recognition at all.
Brian's last name is a common name so you will always need a qualifier when mentioning his name. Say musician Brian Jones or Brian Jones of The Rolling Stones and I bet you wont find too many who do not know who he was. I bet most music lovers could even tell you what instrument he played. Music is prevalent in every society and we should not scoff at the notion that those who helped break new ground would not be remembered. Brian was a member one of the most famous bands in the world. Famous musicians are always on par with actors and politicians. I maintain that you will not find many people in Western civilisation who do not know who Brian Jones was.
You only have to look at the recent developments with MJ's funeral to know what I am talking about. He is being interred this very evening in a mausoleum where other famous actors, politicians and musicians are buried.
It becomes a moot point really because we all know on this forum who Brian was. I agree that he was not a perfect human being, but neither were/are his old bandmates. They owe a lot to Brian's original vison for The Rolling Stones and whether they are sick to death of speculation or whatever the long awaited investigation by some looks like it will proceed.
It is an interesting story that may end up being very newsworthy and compelling.
“We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” - Albert Einstein
"You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother" - Albert Einstein