The Forgotten Rolling Stone - Ian Stewart - If Guitars Could Speak... #22
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- čas přidán 6. 09. 2024
- magine being the founding member of a band that would go on to sell millions and millions of records, set the tone and style of a generation and become an all-time icon of rock and roll music lasting for well over 50 years, but you never appear on an album cover, you’re cast out as an official member of the band, relegated to duty as road manager. That’s what happened in 1963 to blues pianist Ian Stewart, and that little band he was drummed out of? It was called “The Rolling Stones.” The crazy story of Ian Stewart, on If Guitars Could Speak… !
There are still so many R&R guitarists deserving of their 15 minutes that at first I questioned the “why?” of this episode. But my initial reaction was misplaced. First of all, it’s the creator’s prerogative to examine the artist of his choice. However the second point is far more important. This examination/analysis is not only of a worthy subject, the analysis says something about what is really important in life.
Rather than walking away in anger Ian Stewart looked at a bigger picture. He was around folks he mostly liked, traveled and led an interesting lifestyle, and while never wealthy ended up making quite a decent living. While I have always found much of the praise lavished upon Stewart by the individual Stones a bit over the top (i.e., even patronising), from the mid 60’s until his death Stewart really did seem more content with life than his erstwhile bandmates. Everyone can learn a lot from Ian Stewart.
Thank you sir. Just remember this is not technically in the Forgotten Fretmasters series. My other series (if guitars could speak) is kind of my “grab bag” of any story that I want to tell. If you look at the other episodes, you’ll see they run the gamut from guitars, moments and musicians. I did put that “key masters” play in the thumbnail as a gag but don’t worry, forgotten Fretmasters is about guitarists and only guitarists. Period.
@@TheGuitarHistorian These various 15 min or so studies are moving you into the category of being a polymath. I really like how your episodes have something to say about the artist as a person as well as a musician.
I try brother!
I liked what Bill Wyman said about him. He said he called the band "My little 3 chord wonders." & Wyman said he'd look at him & say "Well you little shower of shit...YOU'RE ON." (Wyman seemed to love the guy.)
@larry robinsonYou may be right, but I know Keef is a huge fan of Po Bob.
Met Ian Stewart in 1978, Myrtle Beach SC. Nicest person you could imagine. He arranged tickets for us free of charge for the next RS show in Lexington, KY the following weekend. What a wonderful person.
Lovely hearing this recollection. He was a Fifer from Pittenweem in the Kingdom of Fife in Scotland. The people from there are just lovely, it was in Stu's blood. Just a decent human being. Wonderful piano player.
I spent much of my life in Charelston and Myrtle Beach up an down hwy17
Great tribute to Ian Stewart, well done 👍
Boogie With Stu 👍
This was very interesting, thank you!
... interesting stew only ..
It is worth noting that the Rolling Stones would not accept entry into the RRHOF without Stu going in with them as a full founder and member of the band.
Excellent!
Indeed - I was going to say just this...
Ditto, the Universe is back in balance.
Where was his share of the royalties? Stewey was a hired employee, by Mick's determination.
... That's the Stones we know .... As long if he cost them just peanut$.
Pleased to say I got to shake hands with him when he was here in Saskatoon, backing George Thorogood in the '80s. He was surprised I recognized him!
I got to meet him in Houston. Really nice guy.
I did as well hampton 81 dec 18 kr bday
Excellent , Stu was a proper Boogie Woogie piano player. Glyn Johns bio " Sound Man" has a few great Stu stories. He is a legend
I'll keep an eye out for Johns' book.
Legend. Not forgotten 🙄
Love this video! I've spent almost a lifetime railing against anyone who treats Stu or Brian Jones as merely walk on characters during the 1st act. They started the band!!!!!
Stu was amazing and it was cool how he took his demotion and ran with it...he understood that he wasn't quite like the other guys, yet was a huge key to their success. The band has made it clear Stu was a huge part of the band and they didn't consider him as being a lower-level member, he was as full-fledged a member as there was, in the group.
To me this isn't sad, just a reflection of how the music business worked then and now. Ian was smart enough to go with the flow, enjoy the ride and avoid the insane fan attention that would have gone along with official member status. That's a deal I would take any day. Maybe he didn't achieve the wealth associated with being a member but he could have done a lot worse.
he wasnt a slave like most of us are and his money came from something he actually liked to do, he achieved the dream.
I am with you. Stu got to travel the world, play music for a living, hangout with his friends, meet celebs, and much more.
The Animals' original line-up included a Ghanian drum-master called Eddie Ajai. Their management decided that HE didn't look the part. Also a sign of the times in the early 60s.
I remember when Ian Stewart died. I said, "Oh wow, Ian Stewart died!" And my friend said, "Who's Ian Stewart?"
I had much the same experience.
shit, as long as I made enough money from my band to not have to get a job Id prefer no one know who I am, these days especially. I actually have wished that not one person even knew I existed.
I got the same reaction when I told my co-workers that Muddy Waters had died
*Tells you that the front men are not always the real glue that binds. Thanks Ian for allowing others to use your talents and bring them to the world...*
I remember seeing Ian Stewart playing with the Charlie Watts Big Band at a jazz festival in the 1980s. It was a musical treat I feel privileged to have enjoyed.
Great Tale...Great Guy!! R. I. P. Ian Stewart...
IAN WILL BE NEVER FORGOTTEN...
I was at the El Mocambo...ten feet from the stage drinking quarts of Carlsberg. Early in the evening Ian Stewart was moving tables and arranging the stage. He was by himself and I don't think anyone knew who he was but I did. I have always regretted not approaching him and saying hi or whatever fans do. I easily could have done this and probably got a signed copy of the EP
5x5. That would have been my choice for a signed copy and the thrill of just meeting him.
I never would've been able to not speak to him
Spent many a night in the El Mo and I really wish I could remember them. Last time I was in the city I could barely recognize it. Cheers from somewhere in the Northern Bush.
Excellent story. Well done.
Love you, The Guitar Historian. Ian Stewart was a treasure, and "the boys" were very fortunate that he was around. Cheers, mate!
Yeah without Stu and Brian it wouldn't have happened!!!
Good story, I never knew he existed. Thanks mate.
Listen to Stew play 'Key to the Highway'....from Dirty Work!
@@jasonthunders78 ...For those who don't know, it's short musical segment after the final song, Sleep Tonight.
Their manager Andrew Loog Oldham thought six members was too many and Ian's look didn't fit in with the rest of the band. But at least he was able to continue playing and recording with the band.
This is true: I knew Stu and his wife and Andrew too. Stu was a giant and Andresw knew about selling charisma. That, it had to be and the rest is history. Andrew was the Epstein of the Rolling Stones without a shadow of a doubt, he really did teach M.J. how to be a flamboyant star. A sad story in the publics' eyes but they all remained close, especially C.W.
@@PC24800 Ian was the smartest of them all cause he got to lead a normal life without fans but still be rich from his music. If youre rich and desperately want fans you can hire a bunch of people to be your fans! Money is the goal.
@@joejones9520 He and Cyn had a lovely home at Epsom, just by the Leatherhead roundabout where it joins the A24. Hardly a soul knew that he was a R.S. and they were so happy.
From what I know, "Stu" was self-conscious about his chin (hence, would not have enjoyed the pop group spotlight) and in hindsight, estimated that once the Stones ceased to be merely a blues/R&B band, his piano playing would have lacked the required versatility to be able to contribute as a member. He seems to have enjoyed the niche he carved in the Stones and remember, there was always a piano on the stage that he was totally at liberty to take a seat behind at any time he chose during their set.
You didn’t mention that the piano was tucked behind the stage curtain so the fans couldn’t see him!
I think it was the Stones PR & Manager who were "conscious" about Stu's chin.
@@lamper2
Who are you kidding ,Stewart was better looking than the rest of them.
Great vid on Ian Stewart!!! Excellent, Excellent!
JAMES SCOTT NICHOLSON,ONTARIO, CANADA 🇨🇦 I THOUGHT I’D CLARIFY, FOR ANY NON MUSICIANS
WATCHING. MAJOR IS BRIGHT AND ALWAYS HAPPY, WHERE AS MINOR IS SAD IN EVERYWAY. VERY HARD TO CHANGE MINOR INTO A HAPPY SOUND, ALTHOUGH IT HAS BEEN DONE MORE THAN YOU THINK... R.I.P. AND R.I.P. (ROCK IN PARADISE) IAN WAS THE DRIVING FORCE, AND HIS AMAZING BOOGIE WOOGIE STYLE PIANO, IS MY FAVORITE, AS A 40 YEAR GUITARIST??? SHAME IMAGE MATTERED SO MUCH IN HIS TIME. I CAN PICTURE HIM NOW, JAMMING WITH ALL THE DEAD, JUST ROCKING OUT. YOU WERE LOVED , I AM SCOTTISH TOO....♥️♥️✌️🙏🌎☮️🙏🍀📝🎸🎤🎵🍀🙏🍀♓️👑🍀🙏AMEN AND THANK-YOU LORD. AND THANKS 🙏 FOR THE UNFORGETTABLE PIANO IAN 🙏
Great episode! Thank you.
I LOVE Stewart's contributions to the early stones! That highly reverbed piano is a joy in those early recordings! Nicky Hopkins made crucial contributions on piano near the end of the Jones Stones period as well. Those are the recordings I cherish! The ones that came after that period are tainted by the Stones relinquishing their socially introspective role for one of self aggrandizement which diminished their importance in my view. Aftermath and Buttons are as good as anything the Beatles ever did, and maybe a whole lot better!
are you saying you didn't like Exile, Let it Bleed, Sticky Fingers? All the Mick Taylor stuff? Insanity.
I agree with you. I like the period from Aftermath to Exile on Main St. For me these records represent the most brilliant creative period of the Stones. The later Brian Jones to the early Mick Taylor Stones. Heck, I even like Satanic Majesties.
@@tobmello1 The Mick Taylor period was my favorite.
Stu is a legend. And was never a sleaze bag . Good man.
I haven't watched yet, so this all might be in the video, but Ian Stewart lived a dream life, he got to be right at the centre of things with none of the problems, plus any time he felt like it he could play piano with the biggest rock band in the world. Keith said Ian was in charge of booking hotels round the world on tours and would always book them into hotels with golf courses so he could play a round or two 😉
He was the sixth stone
Such a humble yet so incredibly gifted musician who took the demotion with such grace and left such a mark on future bands to come..
Love to boogie with Stu!!
Between Ian Stewart and Nicky Hopkins piano styles like Can You Hear The Music and Ian on Flight Number 505, oh man we had the best!
Then of course Billy Preston kicked in his share mid 70’s live tours was pure raw energy when Ronnie joined... oh man, dangerous and wild!
Wow never new that about Ian steward, what a guy thanks
When the Rolling Stones were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1989, they successfully pushed for Ian Stewart to be inducted with them posthumously. I told my father that less than an hour ago. He thought that it was a nice gesture!
Nice work. Ian deserves such a thoughtful tribute
I think Stewart was perfectly happy in his roll. If he was an official member he wouldn't have been able to play as much golf as he'd have liked!
Well done I enjoy it very much
I didn't know 'bout Stewart 'til Zep's 'Boogie' to him.
I had to find out who he was.
What an incredible story and a wonderful man.
Exile on Mainstreet, Soul Survivor, 2:12. Sublime... Ian Stewart. Respect.
It's actually (and unmistakably) Nicky Hopkins on Soul Survivor. Stu is on Stop Breaking Down.
Great show!!! Keep em coming brother..
Mmm sad story, i hope you are RIP Ian Stewart 🙏👍✌
Great video. I used to have the Stones 25th Anniversary video, on VHS. They all spoke so highly of him. We long time Stones fans, knew he played piano, as he was almost always in the credits. They were all very happy he stayed on, Mick said he kept them on a bluesy course.(or something like that, it's been decades since I've watched it. Don't even know where I left it...)
I have the master LPs of the greatest era of the stones and with a good set of headphones is boogie-woogie sounds awesome I
I think jagger mentions Stu in the rock and roll induction ceremony...it was Brian and Stu that started the stones.
Love his playing on Brown Sugar and Let it Bleed
And Dead Flowers.
Remember he played on various albums, he wasn't forgotten, he was still part of the band he played piano on some of the concerts.
Who cares what the man looked like ! Stu should have been a full member of the band !
I love how he booked hotels near golf courses. He was a true Scotsman.
That was my favorite fact about him. I loved Keith’s quote on it haha. “And there was Stu, playing Gleneagles” 😂
No word or clue down the years from anyone as to Ian Stewart's final resting place, unlike Brian Jones. R.I.P Ian, Brian and Charlie 🙏🙏🙏
FUNERAL SERVICE HELD FOR IAN IN LEATHERHEAD , NEAR HIS GOLF CLUB , AND FORMER RESIDENCE .ALL OF THE STONES WERE IN ATTENDANCE
Thank you Ken, glad to hear this, I read where the writer of "Stu" book passed away recently, the rarest of rarest item everyone gives it a rave review love to have it in my collection but it's rare and expensive☹️☘️🇮🇪
Cher Stew, merci d'accueilir Charlie et de lui transmettre toute notre affectation
Mick n Keef ended up treating everyone like shit. Stewart, Jones, Wyman, Watts, Taylor, roadies, long time promoters. They wouldn't even share songwriting credits for material written by the others. (Jumping Jack Flash being one).
This video is great; is comprehensively covers every important detail of the Stones' formation, many details of which I was already aware...but that has taken extensive trawling over many years.
He gave me my first guitar, the red fender bronco in "I Know Its Only..."
Thanks for the material. Hope I'll see more great stories!!!! Greettings from Buenos Aires.
That was great my friend .Ian Stuart's piano playing on Exile and Sticky Fingers is phenominal.Thanks for the look at Ian's life another awesome episode .Have you done one on Nicky Hopkins ? Another legendary keyboad man.
This is one of the very few channels that I hit "like" even before watching -this and 'forgotten fretmasters' and all that you officiate on. The quality is top, the content there, the pace sublime and everything gels wonderfully. Best from the Antipodes all the way downunder in Australia !! Keep 'em coming bloke you're doing one bang up job, REALLY !!
Can’t tell you how much that is appreciated, my friend. Thank you.
@@TheGuitarHistorian You're welcome, bloke, most welcome !! Just keep 'em coming. We love your show.
Well Done Young Man Giving Much Deserved Acknowledgment Of A Great Member of the Stones and Ian Stewart’s Talents
They always loved Ian,Keith says in his book "It's his band"
Seemed grounded yet to pass so young, sad. Proves he had heart.
When I saw the Stones in Boulder in the early eighties he was playing on stage with them
Always thought Mick Taylor was on the payroll as I remember Ronnie saying that Mick Jagger couldn’t believe it when Mick said he was leaving Ronnie’s version was that Mick said “nobody leaves the Stones”
and this to Ronnie was his big chance as he’d long wanted in
Wood may have been in five years earlier if Ian MacLagan would have passed along Jagger's message.
Brilliant. I mean, I know a ton of Stones stuff, but there were nuggets here I just learned. ❤️
Wow! Fantastic job!!
And I thought I was aware of the players and performers of the brit invasion.Quickly became aware of both the Beatles and Stones ,and the influence of American blues on them.But the guys who advanced their careers;something I had not explored.What a dedicated heads down follower of good music.
Thanks GH ⚓️
Great video....loved early Stones.
Well done! Extremely interesting.
Little known additional trivia fact. Ian also moonlighted for many years as tv's tonight show host, Jay Leno. 🤣
Dont forget he went into the hall with The Stones......Stu a legend most dont know.
He is revered by The Stones especially KEITH RICHARDS. As soon as they were steered by Oldham toward the POP trend his role in the band was gonna change. Plus of course the fact that "he would never play on songs with minor chords" ! He ended up in a good place with them but sadly died way too young.
Thanks for all the amazing back stories and historical milestones as you stated were integral parts of their success.
KEITH said that stu was a pretty lousy road manager LOL but he was fun. How many people have you hung around with and thrown a television out of a hotel window from the eighth story?
That was Keef and Bobby Keys who flung the t.v.
I couldn't watch the video past the point where you said that Mick and Keith met and then formed the band! The band was formed by Brian Jones before this point. It was Brian's band.
They formed *A* band called The Blues Boys. That is what I said. If you’d watched on you would’ve heard me say that Brian then took Mick, Keith, Ian and other to form the Stones. You misheard me.
@@TheGuitarHistorian ahhh OK seems I jumped ship too soon :)
" The Guitar History Stuff Very Good Job on ( vdc ) Documentary for This Great Artist Mr. Ian Stewart ". .. So' Nice ... ☺😊😀/💙💙💙/👍👌👏👋
What a great segment! Thank you very much.
Stu: " C'mon my little three chord wonders."
"my showers of shit"
Great portrait of I Stewart❤️
I've read he was cast aside due to not fitting the look of the day yet had he been around in the 80s he could have given front man Morrissey a run for his money.
Great history. Thanks for this
Played Piano 🎹 on the following;
Boogie with Stu 🍿
Rock n Roll 💎
In studio with Jimmy Page and Brian Jones on Degree for Murder that Brian Jones wrote the sound track
Awesome video. Thank you.
V. interesting!
Great video, by the way. Lovely tribute to Stu, excellent summing up at the end. People who know more about the era see him for the giant he was.
Well done!!!
This has turned into one of my favorite sites, keep up the great work.
Put Jay Leno alongside of Ian Stewart and you see Len's mother's Scottish heritage.
Hapsburg jaw from inbreeding
Ian and I used to go for runs in the early morning. In fact, it was this running relationship which got MJ interested in running.
*I might have missed it in the video or comments but Stu got royalties for Stones songs that are credited to " Nanker_Phelge"*
Eddie Coyle - he has interesting friends...
Love the stones but I remember seeing a video where Keith, Mick and Ian were sat together and I'm pretty sure it's Keith who says something like "Stu, more coffee" or something along those lines. Always got my back up.
Nice tribute, man
Fab video
Andrew immediately wanted Stu out (6 to many for a band) and Brian sold him out, Stu never forgave Brian for it and hated him till the Stones booted Brian out. Brian even tried to recruit Stu again for maybe a new band and Stu told him no.
Excellent
Interesting stuff thanks..student made the right deal
I mean, yes Stu was definitely pushed aside. But it's the way it had to be. We wouldn't have the Stones like we did, had they chosen a different path. I;m sure this was mainly ALO's call, and he was right. That is what a manager is about. Every thing, and quote I have read re. Stu confirms that Stu himself agreed with the call. Oh - and yes, as always great clip.
Great stuff! Good information!
Very interesting my friend. Similar to other keyboard players who were very influential but were never big names. I'm talking about people like Billy Preston, Nicky Hopkins or George Duke. The solo of Ian Stewart that I will always remember is on 2000 Light Years from Home. It's so eerie, it's like being totally alone in the middle of nowhere.
The mellotron solo? That's Brian!
@@lucasoheyze4597-Exactly
Brian played so many instruments in the band and he was the real Founder.
@@musiclover3205 You can hear the change in musical texture after Brian leaves, he was a true musician.
Ian Stewart, as far as I'm aware, predominantly played piano- whenever you hear honky tonk/barrelhouse piano on a Stones record it's usually him.
@@lucasoheyze4597- Yes he did. All of the beautiful instruments that flavor those great 60s songs were mainly played by Brian. Brian also played on other artist's records-Nico, The Beatles, Chad, and Jeremy to name a few.
Thanks for the info!
Thank you for doing this segment! I've been very aware of Ian Stewart and the work he's done with the stone since I was 10 , which was19 what was it ? 1979,yeah.. Big time great boogie woogie piano player. And though I only know third hand information about his personality what a great guy. Don't worry, he's not forgotten!
And yeah Keith Richards book, life, was a pleasure wasn't it?! Very witty guy,funny as hell , a classic book.
Thanks for all the segments you do about music videos. The information is priceless👍👍🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹
Staying with the Stones was the best move he could have made .
led Zeppelin boogie with Stu🎹
Well done video...
Stu was more flunky than musical force in the band. He refused to play minor chords and lifted his hands whenever they came up. Nicky Hopkins was a much more important piano player for them. Keith tends to put emphasis on Stu as the Stones being his band because he can't handle Brian being the visionary that brought them all together.
No Jones,no Stones
He came away with second prize in a way, he played on some albums and on stage to the side as a "backing musician" and of course as the Stones road manager for decades. His story is a good one in comparison to Pete Best of The Beatles, he was driving a bread van when the Beatle's first records were released, ouch.