The Forgotten Rolling Stone - Ian Stewart - If Guitars Could Speak... #22 

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.

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.

Great tribute to Ian Stewart, well done 👍

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.

Boogie With Stu 👍 This was very interesting, thank you!

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!

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 remember when Ian Stewart died. I said, "Oh wow, Ian Stewart died!" And my friend said, "Who's Ian Stewart?"

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!!!!!

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.

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.

Nice work. Ian deserves such a thoughtful tribute

*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...*

IAN WILL BE NEVER FORGOTTEN...

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.

He was the sixth stone

Great Tale...Great Guy!! R. I. P. Ian Stewart...

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.

Good story, I never knew he existed. Thanks mate.

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!

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 😉

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!

Stu is a legend. And was never a sleaze bag . Good man.

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 history. Thanks for this

Love to boogie with Stu!!

Great show!!! Keep em coming brother..

Wow! Fantastic job!!

What a great segment! Thank you very much.

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!

Great video....loved early Stones.

Well done I enjoy it very much

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.

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!

Awesome video. Thank you.

Thanks for all the amazing back stories and historical milestones as you stated were integral parts of their success.

Well done! Extremely interesting.

Thanks for the material. Hope I'll see more great stories!!!! Greettings from Buenos Aires.

Wow never new that about Ian steward, what a guy thanks

Well done!!!

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..

Well Done Young Man Giving Much Deserved Acknowledgment Of A Great Member of the Stones and Ian Stewart’s Talents

This has turned into one of my favorite sites, keep up the great work.

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.

Great stuff! Good information!

Fab video

Thanks GH ⚓️

Great portrait of I Stewart❤️

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.

Mmm sad story, i hope you are RIP Ian Stewart 🙏👍✌

Excellent

Thanks for the info!

Well done video...

Brilliant. I mean, I know a ton of Stones stuff, but there were nuggets here I just learned. ❤️

Who cares what the man looked like ! Stu should have been a full member of the band !

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.

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 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!

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.

Interesting stuff thanks..student made the right deal

V. interesting!

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 !!

Exile on Mainstreet, Soul Survivor, 2:12. Sublime... Ian Stewart. Respect.

" The Guitar History Stuff Very Good Job on ( vdc ) Documentary for This Great Artist Mr. Ian Stewart ". .. So' Nice ... ☺😊😀/💙💙💙/👍👌👏👋

Love his playing on Brown Sugar and Let it Bleed

Cher Stew, merci d'accueilir Charlie et de lui transmettre toute notre affectation

Great vid on Ian Stewart!!! Excellent, Excellent!

I love how he booked hotels near golf courses. He was a true Scotsman.

Stu: " C'mon my little three chord wonders."

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.

When I saw the Stones in Boulder in the early eighties he was playing on stage with them

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).

Fascinating story. New subscriber.

They always loved Ian,Keith says in his book "It's his band"

He gave me my first guitar, the red fender bronco in "I Know Its Only..."

Seemed grounded yet to pass so young, sad. Proves he had heart.

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.

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👍👍🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹

Really cool video. Subbed.

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 🙏🙏🙏

Little known additional trivia fact. Ian also moonlighted for many years as tv's tonight show host, Jay Leno. 🤣

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

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.

Dont forget he went into the hall with The Stones......Stu a legend most dont know.

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

Put Jay Leno alongside of Ian Stewart and you see Len's mother's Scottish heritage.

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'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.

I remember a record I the 70s called jamming with Stu, it was with most of the stones if I remember correctly.

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

'Come On' was the Stones first hit in the UK. 'I Wanna Be Your Man' was their 2nd hit. Both were in 1963. Interesting video. Subscribed.

Heads up on another 'great Scot', if you don't know if him already, check out Zal Clemenson of 'The Sensational Alex Harvey Band'. Little known fact is that his riff in 'Swamp snake' was lifted(ahem) by Queens of the stone age for 'Know one knows'(lol), the cheeky blighters! Great vid, thank you 😊👍🏻

The Laird of Pittenweem - another great Scotsman!

I will confess I have always known the name Ian Stewart from various album credits but never bothered to look further. Thanks for another informative presentation. Being a guitar fan can blind you to the capabilities of so many other musicians, and I will have to plead guilty to that particular crime. The only pianist LP I have is Eddie Boyd's "7936 South Rhodes", and I only bought it because I spotted he was accompanied by the early, Bluesy Fleetwood Mac. I got it cheap as it was remaindered, and I pointed out the cover wear, saying. "You're still not going to sell this, clearly nobody wants it even at this price." Got maybe 50 NZ cents more off, and I was pleased because "Bargaining" has never been an NZ cultural thing. Sorry for going on, but I found the album invaluable for guitar practice, due to its pretty strict 12-bar adherence. That brings us back to Mr Stewart as well.

I recommend the book Blown Away which doesn't mention Stewart on the cover, maybe not even in the blurb, but he is interviewed at length. The way he described acid as a "silly" drug had me wondering if there were drugs he considered to be worthwhile. He had some caustic observations about "Swinging London" which I remember finding quite interesting, and a refreshing retort to some of the more romanticized recollections of that era.

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.

Staying with the Stones was the best move he could have made .

Nice tribute to a great musician and human being. Although pushing Stu to the wings was a terrible thing to do, he would have never been comfortable in the limelight; would have hated it in fact. My favorite quote from him was as he was herding the band onstage in the early days he'd sometimes say, "Come on my little three chord shits." Gotta love that.