Stoned: The Movie Giveaway

By Scott Smith in Miscellaneous on Mar 22, 2006 7:23PM

For some indie rockers, the closest they’ve come to examining the life of former Rolling Stone Brian Jones is attending a show by the band that cleverly nicked his name. This is a shame. As exciting as BJM’s experimentation and wigginess are, Mr. Jones had it all over them almost three decades before Anton Newcombe first wrestled someone to the ground onstage.

For the generation that knows the Stones only as a multi-million dollar touring behemoth headed by Mick and Keef, Jones’s influence and the early Stones albums will be a revelation. He was the undisputed leader of the band in this era, and the Stones’ experimental instrumentation, flamboyant style and reputation for excess all came from Jones. Unfortunately, the excess and personal problems soon bested the guitarist, and he either left the group or was fired, depending on which version of events you believe. A month later, he was found dead in his swimming pool, either from an accident or due to murder, again depending on which version of events you believe.

The movie Stoned, which sees limited release in American theaters this weekend after dates overseas, comes down squarely on the side of events that indicates foul play (click here to check out the trailer). To promote the film’s release this Friday, Chicagoist is giving away five early Stones albums from the Jones years courtesy of Fader Magazine and Cornerstone Promotions. One lucky Chicagoist reader will receive England’s Newest Hitmakers, The Rolling Stones Now!, December’s Children, and Aftermath. Click the jump below to enter. Winners will be notified on Friday. Losers will go runnin’ for the shelter of her mother’s little helper.