Mick Jagger

Mick Jagger

Early Life and Formation of the Rolling Stones

Sir Michael Philip Jagger was born on 26 July 1943 in Dartford, Kent, into a middle-class family. His father, Basil Fanshawe "Joe" Jagger, was a gymnast and physical education teacher who helped popularize basketball in Britain, while his mother, Eva Ensley Mary, was a hairdresser and Conservative Party activist. Despite encouragement to follow his father's career path, Jagger was drawn to music from childhood, singing in church choirs and listening to radio performances. He first met Keith Richards in 1950 at Wentworth Primary School, and they reconnected on 17 October 1961 at Dartford railway station, discovering their shared passion for rhythm and blues through Chuck Berry and Muddy Waters records. After leaving school in 1961, Jagger attended the London School of Economics on a government grant while pursuing music with Richards and guitarist Brian Jones, eventually leading to the formation of the Rolling Stones in 1962.

Rise to International Stardom

The Rolling Stones achieved rapid success with their first UK number one hit "It's All Over Now" in 1963, followed by "Little Red Rooster." Jagger and Richards's songwriting partnership produced the band's third number one single, "The Last Time," and their breakthrough international hit "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" in 1965, which established the Stones' image as defiant troublemakers in contrast to the Beatles. Throughout the 1960s, the band released commercially successful albums including Out of Our Heads, Aftermath, and Between the Buttons. Jagger's distinctive voice, combined with his energetic live performances and Richards's innovative guitar work, became the band's trademark. The late 1960s also saw Jagger face legal troubles related to drug charges, though sentences were later overturned or amended. The band's 1969 Hyde Park concert, dedicated to deceased guitarist Brian Jones, marked the debut of Mick Taylor as his replacement and attracted 250,000 attendees.

Artistic Evolution and Solo Ventures

During the 1970s, Jagger and the Rolling Stones moved to Southern France as tax exiles and continued evolving their musical style through albums like Sticky Fingers (1971), Exile on Main St. (1972), and Goats Head Soup (1973). The band ventured into disco and punk with Some Girls (1978) and maintained commercial success with It's Only Rock 'n Roll (1974) and Black and Blue (1976). Beginning in the 1980s, Jagger launched a solo career while continuing with the Stones, releasing She's the Boss (1985), which featured the hit "Just Another Night," and Primitive Cool (1987). His 1985 duet with David Bowie, "Dancing in the Street," reached number one in the UK and Australia. However, tensions with Keith Richards during the 1980s, referred to as "World War III," nearly ended the band. Following their reconciliation in 1988 and the release of Steel Wheels (1989), the band reunited for the successful Steel Wheels/Urban Jungle Tour (1989-1990).

Later Career and Film Production

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Jagger balanced Rolling Stones tours and albums with solo releases including Wandering Spirit (1993) and Goddess in the Doorway (2001). The Voodoo Lounge Tour (1994-1996) became the world's highest-grossing tour at that time, grossing $320 million. From 1989 to 2001, the Stones generated more than $1.5 billion in total revenue. In 2001, Jagger co-founded Jagged Films and produced feature films including the World War II drama Enigma. He was a member of the supergroup SuperHeavy from 2009 to 2011 and performed at various benefit concerts and award shows. The band's A Bigger Bang Tour (2005-2007) grossed $437 million, earning a Guinness World Record for the most lucrative music tour ever.

Legacy and Recent Years

Jagger was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 and knighted in 2003 for his services to popular music. As a member of the Rolling Stones and solo artist, he achieved 13 number one singles on UK and US charts, 32 top-ten hits, and 70 top-40 singles. In 2019, Jagger underwent heart valve replacement surgery but recovered to continue touring. The Rolling Stones became the first band to top the UK Albums Chart across six different decades with the 2020 reissue of Goats Head Soup. Following Charlie Watts's death in August 2021, the band continued with session drummer Steve Jordan. Jagger remains active, having released the single "Strange Game" for the television series Slow Horses in 2022 and launched his own line of harmonicas. His influence on rock music, pop culture, and successive generations of musicians remains unparalleled, establishing him as one of the most significant and iconic figures in music history.