On This Day in 1985: Rolling Stones Co-Founder Ian Stewart Suddenly Died While Waiting at His Doctor’s Office
Photo by Tony Morelli, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Death and Setting
On December 12, 1985, Scottish keyboard player Ian Stewart died of a heart attack in his doctor’s waiting room in London. Stewart was 47 years old and had been at the clinic to check breathing problems when he suffered the fatal attack. His death came while he was still active with The Rolling Stones, a role he held for more than two decades.
Stewart first became known in the music world after responding to a classified ad by Brian Jones in Jazz News that sought musicians to form a rhythm and blues group. He answered the call and helped start what became The Rolling Stones.
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Early Role in The Rolling Stones
Though Stewart helped form the band, he was removed from its official lineup by the group’s manager, Andrew Loog Oldham, in 1963. Oldham felt that six members were too many and that Stewart’s look did not fit with how the band was being marketed. Stewart accepted a behind-the-scenes position and stayed with the group in that role.
Even after he was dropped from the official roster, Stewart remained closely connected to the band. He became their road manager while also playing piano on many studio albums and touring with the group in later years. Fans and band members often referred to him as the “Sixth Stone” because of his long and steady presence.
Contributions in Music
Stewart’s keyboard playing is heard on Rolling Stones albums from the mid-1960s through the early 1980s. He contributed to recordings from Undercover and Dirty Work, though he died before hearing the final release of the latter.
His talents also extended beyond The Rolling Stones. Stewart played piano on Led Zeppelin’s “Rock and Roll” and the track “Boogie With Stu” on Physical Graffiti. These collaborations show how his style touched different corners of rock music.
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Legacy and Recognition
Stewart continued to work with the Stones in varying roles, from touring musician to studio contributor, until his death in 1985. Over time, the band acknowledged his importance. They requested that his name be included when they were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1989.
Frontman Mick Jagger once said about Stewart’s place in the group: “The thing about him was that I don’t think the Rolling Stones would ever have got going if it hadn’t been for him.” This remark highlights how band members saw his influence on their early days and growth.
Stewart’s work with The Rolling Stones and other artists left a mark on rock music. His presence in the band and behind the scenes shaped many recordings and live shows that fans still listen to today.
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