Brian Jones, the saxophonist known for his role in the influential Liverpool band the Undertakers, has died at the age of 85. Jones remained active in music until shortly before his passing, performing with the band that helped shape the early Merseybeat scene centered around the Cavern Club.
Formed in the early 1960s, the Undertakers gained a reputation for their energetic live shows and distinctive sound, heavily driven by Jones’s saxophone playing. The band initially called themselves the Rebels before adopting the name Undertakers, which originated from a typographical error in a newspaper advertisement. Embracing the morbid moniker, they incorporated dark stage attire and opened their sets with Chopin’s Funeral March, a gimmick that resonated with audiences.
Jones, born November 27, 1940, in Wallasey, was self-taught on the saxophone and had previously played with local groups including the Rebels and the Vegas Five. He replaced Les Maguire in the Vegas Five, who left to join Gerry and the Pacemakers. The Undertakers’ lineup eventually included singer Jackie Lomax, later known for his association with the Beatles’ Apple Records.
The band’s connection to the Beatles was notable. During a lunchtime session at the Cavern, they were approached by Brian Epstein, the Beatles’ manager, who expressed interest in managing them. Though Epstein invited some members to his office, the Undertakers declined, choosing to remain with their existing manager, Ralph Webster. This decision is often viewed as a missed opportunity, as Epstein soon secured a landmark deal for the Beatles with Parlophone, propelling them to international fame.
On Lennon’s recommendation, the Undertakers traveled to Hamburg, Germany, for a residency at the Star-Club. Like other Liverpool bands before them, they endured demanding performance schedules and endured colorful experiences, including being handed “wake-up pills” by a local caretaker to sustain their energy during marathon sets.
Back in the UK, the Undertakers signed with Pye Records under producer Tony Hatch. Despite several single releases, only “Just a Little Bit” reached the UK Top 50 in 1964. Pye requested a name change due to concerns over the word “Undertakers,” leading the group to briefly adopt the name “The Takers.” A notable publicity stunt involved Jones and guitarist Chris Huston being arrested at the Berlin Wall’s Checkpoint Charlie after flashing East German currency—a move orchestrated by their manager to generate media attention.
The band toured North America in 1965, but the tour was largely unsuccessful, and the Undertakers disbanded soon after. Jones continued his musical career as a session musician and later reformed the band. Between 1981 and 1985, he played with the Glitter Band, joining a lineup that featured Trevor Horn on bass.
A lifelong Liverpool FC supporter, Jones published his autobiography, *Sax, Drugs, and Rock and Roll*, in 2018, reflecting on his decades-long career in the music industry. He is survived by his son, Brian; his wife, Rosie, predeceased him.