Stephen Woolley, renowned as the producer of Neil Jordan's films, makes his directorial debut with Stoned, about the life and mysterious death of Rolling Stones founding member Brian Jones who'd been exiled by the band before he was found drowned in the swimming pool of his suburban estate.

Woolley says he directed the feature because he'd researched for 10 years and knew more than anyone else about the subject.

“Frank Thorogood, who was reconstructing Brian's house, gave a deathbed confession in 1993 that he'd murdered Brian. The books on the subject left a lot of questions unanswered—the writers hadn't interviewed people who'd been there that night. I found them, got their stories; some contradicted the books, others gave details never told to the police. As I found witnesses, our script changed,” says Woolley. “I drove the writers (and co-producers, Robert Wade and Neal Purvis,) crazy—until they said I'd better direct the film or it wouldn't be made.”

MERIN: What intrigued you about Brian's story?

WOOLLEY: Brian represented the Rolling Stones' edge and rebelliousness. He was charismatic, but unlike Janice Joplin and Jimi Hendrix—who were Brian's friends and died around the same time—Brian isn't legend. I wanted to know what happened and why.

Were you a Stones fan; Brian's fan?

I was a poor kid living in Islington. We had a small kitchen, no fridge; no car, no phone. London was still recovering from the blitz. My father had fought in World War II. People say the '60s were swinging—but just for .0001 percent of the people. The rest were looking into this bubble and watching Brian's extravagance. Some wanted to be in the bubble, but most wanted to destroy it. Most people in authority didn't like what Brian stood for—didn't like guys with long hair prancing on stage, making more money than they'd earn in a lifetime, having all the girls.

They'd fought a war and life was about reestablishing order. Brian's death probably wasn't thoroughly investigated because the establishment didn't want to show Frank, the construction worker, as a murderer because that would give too much sympathy to Brian, whom they wanted to tear down.

Have the Stones seen Stoned?

I think Mick may have seen it. They're aware of the film—they're often asked about it at press conferences.They basically pretend it doesn't exist.

Why didn't you use Stones music?

I didn't want to be disingenuous. I wasn't making a film about Mick and Keith—my film was about Brian. I used Robert Johnson and other music that influenced Brian. But, the soundtrack certainly has echoes of the Rolling Stones—although Brian wasn't credited with writing their songs. Not officially, anyway.