Editing Brian Jones (section)

===Changes in band dynamics and estrangement from bandmates===
[[File:MichaelCooper1967BenMerk.jpg|thumb|Jones (far right) with [[Michael Cooper (photographer)|Michael Cooper]], [[Mick Jagger]], [[Marianne Faithfull]], [[Shepard Sherbell]], and [[Maharishi Mahesh Yogi]] (at the front) in Amsterdam, September 1967]]
Oldham recognised the financial advantages of band members writing their own songs, as exemplified by [[Lennon–McCartney]], and that playing [[cover version|covers]] would not sustain a band in the limelight for long. Further, he wanted to make Jagger's charisma and flamboyance a focus of live performances. Jones saw his influence over the Stones' direction wane as their repertoire comprised fewer blues covers than he preferred; more [[Jagger/Richards]] originals developed (although many still had a bluesy sound), and Oldham increased his own managerial control, displacing Jones from yet another role.{{sfn|Wyman|Havers|2002|p=76}}

In March 1967, [[Anita Pallenberg]], Jones's girlfriend of two years, left him for Richards when Jones became violent towards her while the three were on a trip to [[Morocco]],{{sfn|Richards|Fox|2010|pp=198–199}} further damaging the already strained relations between Jones and Richards. Jones was later hospitalised in Morocco. As tensions and Jones's [[substance abuse]] increased, his musical contributions became sporadic. He became bored with the guitar and sought exotic instruments to play, and he was increasingly absent from recording sessions. In [[Peter Whitehead (filmmaker)|Peter Whitehead]]'s promotional film for ''[[We Love You#Promotional film|We Love You]]'', made in July 1967, he appears extremely groggy and disoriented.{{sfn|Jackson|1992|p=161}}
[[File:Brian Jones playing instrument 1967.jpg|thumb|right|Jones in mid-1967]]
Jones was arrested for [[drug possession]] on 10 May 1967, shortly after the [[The Rolling Stones' Redlands bust|Redlands bust]] at Richards's Sussex home. Authorities found [[Cannabis (drug)|marijuana]], [[cocaine]], and [[methamphetamine]] in his flat. He confessed to marijuana use but said he did not use hard drugs.{{sfn|Jackson|1992|p=154}}

Hostility grew between Jones, Jagger, and Richards, alienating Jones further from the group.<ref>Booth, Stanley (2012) ''The True Adventures of the Rolling Stones''. Canongate Books. p. 107.{{ISBN|978-0-85786-352-2}}</ref> Although many noted that Jones could be friendly and outgoing, Wyman, Richards, and Watts have commented that he could also be cruel and difficult.{{sfn|Richards|Fox|2010|pp=271–272}} By most accounts, Jones's attitude changed frequently; he was one minute caring and generous, the next making an effort to anger everyone. As Wyman observed in ''Stone Alone'': "There were at least two sides to Brian's personality. One Brian was introverted, shy, sensitive, [and] deep-thinking. The other was a preening peacock, gregarious, artistic, desperately needing assurance from his peers."{{sfn|Wyman|Coleman|1997|p=83}} Wyman added: "He pushed every friendship to the limit and way beyond."{{sfn|Wyman|Coleman|1997|p=76}}

Charlie Watts recalled that Jones indulged in drinking and drug taking "but they weren't very good for him...he wasn't strong enough mentally or physically to take any of it. Brian was one of those people who did everything to excess." Watts also remarked that Jones was sometimes not very pleasant and that he upset other people very easily.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/the-rolling-stones-charlie-watts-regrets-about-brian-jones/ |title= The Rolling Stones: Charlie Watts' biggest regret about Brian Jones |newspaper=Far Out magazine|date= 26 April 2022 }}</ref>

Jones's last substantial sessions with the Stones occurred in the spring and summer of 1968 when the Stones produced "[[Jumpin' Jack Flash]]" and the ''[[Beggars Banquet]]'' album. His final lead guitar part was on the song "No Expectations": he plays slide guitar to Richards's acoustic rhythm. He can be seen in the [[Jean-Luc Godard]] film ''[[Sympathy for the Devil (1968 film)|One Plus One]]'' playing acoustic guitar and chatting and sharing cigarettes with Richards, although Jones is neglected in the music-making. The film chronicles the making of "[[Sympathy for the Devil]]".{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

Where once Jones played multiple instruments on many tracks, he played only minor roles on a few pieces during the latter stage of his time with the band. Jones's last formal appearance was in the December 1968 ''[[The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus]]'', a part-concert, part circus-act film organised by the band. It went unreleased for more than 25 years because Jagger was unhappy with the band's performance compared with others in the film, such as [[Jethro Tull (band)|Jethro Tull]], [[John Lennon]], [[the Who]], and [[Taj Mahal (musician)|Taj Mahal]].<ref name="rnrcircus">{{cite video |people=The Rolling Stones, Pete Townshend |title=Rock and Roll Circus |medium=commentary to the 2004 DVD release |publisher=ABKCO Films |display-authors=etal}}</ref> Commentary included as bonus material indicated that almost everyone at the concert sensed that Jones's time with the Rolling Stones was nearing an end, and [[Roger Daltrey]] and [[Pete Townshend]] of the Who thought it would be his last live musical performance.<ref name="rnrcircus"/>