Counting Crows
The Mr. Jones in this song is real. Marty Jones was a bassist in Duritz's previous band The Himalayans. His father, David Serva, recorded flamenco guitar out of Madrid for decades — one of the only Americans to sustain a real career in that world. "Mr. Jones" was recorded in two takes. The Counting Crows' own drummer refused to play it. Session drummer Denny Fongheiser came in cold and laid it down. The video was shot by director Charles Wittenmeier in New York City — the band in a stripped-down studio space, no narrative, no concept. Just Duritz in his dreadlocks and thrift store sweater singing the song directly at the camera. One VMA nomination. One win: Best New Artist in a Video. Duritz later said the central line — "when everybody loves me, I will never be lonely" — was always meant to be seen through: "Nobody knows you in that case. But you still want it." He then dated Courteney Cox and Jennifer Aniston. The wish was over-fulfilled. The stripped-down performance video with zero concept got Counting Crows their VMA. "Mr. Jones" was recorded in two takes by session drummer Denny Fongheiser after the Counting Crows' own drummer refused to play it Adam Duritz has publicly discussed his dissociative disorder diagnosis — the fame surge that followed the song reportedly worsened symptoms before he was correctly diagnosed David Serva, Marty Jones' father, recorded flamenco guitar out of Madrid for decades — one of the only Americans to sustain a career in that tradition Director Charles Wittenmeier also directed videos for Live, Hootie & the Blowfish, and Spin Doctors in the same era