Bio: Mick Jagger

Love Me Do provides a brief profile of Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones from his early life through his rise to fame and to his musical legacy and honours.

Mick Jagger’s Early Life and Education

Michael Philip Jagger, born on July 26, 1943, in Dartford, Kent, England, is best known as the charismatic frontman of the legendary rock band, The Rolling Stones. Growing up in a middle-class family, Mick’s father, Basil Fanshawe Jagger, was a physical education teacher, and his mother, Eva Ensley Mary, was a homemaker. Mick attended Wentworth Primary School and later Dartford Grammar School, where he met his lifelong friend and songwriting partner, Keith Richards.

Birth of The Rolling Stones

In 1961, Mick and Keith reconnected at Dartford train station, bonding over their shared love for American blues music and discussed the LPs each one had. This friendship led to the formation of The Rolling Stones in 1962, with Brian Jones, Charlie Watts, and Bill Wyman joining the band. The Rolling Stones quickly gained a reputation for their energetic performances and rebellious attitude, drawing audiences with their raw and original British blues sound.

Mick Jagger’s Rise to Fame

The Rolling Stones’ first single, a cover of Chuck Berry’s Come On, was released in 1963, marking the beginning of their successful career. Their debut album, The Rolling Stones, released in 1964, reached number one on the UK charts.

The band’s breakthrough came in 1965 with the release of (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction, which became their first number-one hit in the United States. Mick’s edgy vocals and Keith’s iconic guitar riff captured the spirit of rock and roll, solidifying their place in music history.

Musical Career and Achievements

Throughout his career, Mick Jagger has co-written most of The Rolling Stones’ songs with Keith Richards, creating one of the most successful songwriting partnerships in rock music history outside of Lennon and McCartney. The band’s hits include classics like Paint It Black, Sympathy for the Devil, and Brown Sugar. Mick’s distinctive voice and energetic stage presence have made him one of the most original frontmen in rock music.

In addition to his work with The Rolling Stones, Mick has released several solo albums and collaborated with other artists, including a successful duet with David Bowie on Dancing in the Street in 1985 for Live Aid.

Mick Jagger’s Personal Life

Mick Jagger has had a colorful personal life, marked by high-profile relationships and marriages. He was married to Bianca Pérez-Mora Macias from 1971 to 1978 and has had relationships with Jerry Hall, L’Wren Scott, and Melanie Hamrick. Mick has eight children with five different women, including Jade, Elizabeth, and Georgia May.

Legacy and Honors

Mick Jagger’s contributions to music have been widely recognized. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 and the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2004. In 2003, he was knighted for his services to popular music, becoming Sir Mick Jagger.