Rare ALS by Lewis Blount Jones, four pages on two adjoining sheets, 4 x 8, April 1, 1964. A poignant letter from Lewis Blount Jones to his 22-year-old son, Rolling Stones guitarist Brian Jones, which reads, in full: “My dear Brian, I was thinking only the other day, of how many of my acquaintances and colleagues etc, had died recently, & although they were mostly older than me, I had a sudden fear of passing out one day with many things unsaid, which for some reason or other, I can never seem to say when I see you.
We have had unhappy times and I have been a very poor & intolerant father in so many ways. But never for one minute have I ceased to have the same love and affection for you that I had when you were very young & we used to knock about together. You grew up in such a different way from that in which I expected you to, & I was quite out of my depth.
Despite my mistakes, I assure you that whatever I did, I was sure at the time that I was acting for the best. I thought you were making the mistakes, but you have proved me wrong, & I am really delighted that you have done so.
In my most drastic of all actions, which I shall never forget, or cease to worry over, I felt it was the only way to save my home & bring you to terms with yourself. I don’t suppose you will ever forgive me, but I would like you to try just a little. Please do not think we have changed because you are merely successful. I am delighted that your courage and guts have brought you success, but all I ask is for just a little of the affection I think you once had for me.
The same applies to all your relations. They could not understand you, and were embarrassed by our estrangement of which I told them nothing. They all know now that we are happy again & believe me, blood is thicker than water. Even your grandfather listens to & watches you, even though he hates your type of music.
For my own part I have studied it hard, & I have grown to like it very much, & deeply regret my intolerance. Your mum, who is narrower in outlook than I am, likes your music too + that speaks a lot. I think you have done more to educate me than I have done for you.
I enjoyed reading ‘BEAT’ and ‘RAVE’ this month. I would have loved when I was your age, to have run away to study & work with the organ but everything was so different then & I had not your guts, so perhaps we are not so dissimilar after all. This is a very private & personal note, so don’t trouble to reply. Tell me next time we meet, if you accept it. Barbara has always been very attached to you, & is very proud of her brother. Bye for now, love Dad.” In fine condition. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Tracks and by the original mailing envelope, which has been addressed to “Mr. Brian Jones (Rolling Stones).”
