Just read again that Roy Buchanan (RIP) was asked to replace Brian Jones in 1969 and that Roy declined.
Is that true or is it just a cock-and bull story?

I have also heard this story. Allegedly, Roy turned them down as he said he didn't want to have to learn their songs. Roy was great but it is hard to imagine his style of playing being suited to the kind of music the Stones were doing.

It's also hard to imagine Roy's look being suited to how the Stones looked.
They were skinny and wore tight velvet trousers and satin shirts with frills etc.
Whereas Roy was a big and bearded guy who looked a bit like a lumberjack to me. (No offense meant!)

I also heard the story before, I was now just googling a little but it's quite
strange: most of the articles I found are talking about 1970 (when in fact
they must have asked him in 1968 or 1969).

One article said: "Roy, averse to touring anyhow, suggested that his image
would 'conflict' with The Stones and turned the offer down. (Later on, Roy
would tell the rock press that learning the Stones' repertoire would have
been too hard for him...)" It's also said he never regretted his decision.

One article even suggested he was asked to replace Mick Taylor (after 1974).

I wonder where this story started, who published it first. I guess there
should be some interview with Roy talking about the incident or something. In
fact I always believed he was actually asked to play with them on tour -
yes - but just as a supporting act, and he turned that down. I don't actually
believe they would have invited an unknown American into their all-British
band. Who asked him anyway, etc etc. Or is he another victim of Mick Jagger's
evil ways? I heard he hanged himself in his cell after having an argument
with his wife in 1988...

The circumstances of Roy's death are not clear cut.

Roy was put in the watch house for being drunk & disorderly. I think his death in custody is suspicious.

I was living in DC full time at the time of Roy's death.

The newspaper's if I recall correctly described what happened as that Roy had been arrested and was placed in the drunk tank where I guess they found him hanged.

I think Roy, as a great guitarist, could have played the Stones material had he chosen to do so. Somehow though I don't think he could have fit in.

I too have heard the stories that the Stones did ask him to join.

There have been also rumours about George Thorogood replacing Ron Wood during 1981/82 tour when Ronnie was quite 'out of it' (anything about that in a new book?). I think it would have been really difficult for George 'one way: my way" Thorogood to learn the Stones repertuare. Someway I can not imagine that possible. Perhaps The Stones should have reduced their material into three-chord-blues standards to find a place for George and his 'hammer' slide...

- Doxa

Phil Good wrote:
>Whereas Roy was a big and bearded guy
>who looked a bit like a lumberjack to me.


and he plays on stage with slippers on...!!!(true)

great guitare player

You got it all wrong. Princess Margaret was asked to replace Mick, but she said she could better coke than him.

Doxa Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> There have been also rumours about George
> Thorogood replacing Ron Wood during 1981/82 tour
> when Ronnie was quite 'out of it' (anything about
> that in a new book?).

George would definteily make a great special guest for the Stones...
On the B-stage for a few tunes, that would be cool or Midnight Rambler.