Mick Jagger is one of the most recognisable and influential British musicians of the modern era. As lead singer and songwriter for The Rolling Stones, a prolific and much sought-after collaborator, a successful producer and a lauded solo artist in his own right, Mick has set and maintained the gold standard for popular performance and creativity for nearly five decades.
Born Michael Philip Jagger on 26 July 1943 in Dartford, Kent, his father was a teacher while his mother was a hairdresser. Jagger started singing at an early age and attended Wentworth Primary School, where he met his class fellow and future bandmate – Keith Richards.
Mick Jagger dropped out of school in 1961 and, after performing with Keith Richards and Dick Taylor for a short while as The Blue Boys, joined Brian Jones and Ian Stewart’s rhythm and blues band – the Rolling Stones – in 1962. Their name was chosen from a line in a Muddy Waters’ 1950 classic. The group quickly developed an underground fan following by playing in London nightclubs and venues.
The Rolling Stones singed a recording contract with Decca Records and released their eponymous debut album in 1964. The band’s major breakthrough came in 1965 with their first British number one single, “The Last Time”. One of their best-known songs, “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”, was released a few months later and established the Stones as one of the most important acts of the British Invasion.
Over the next few years, they toured worldwide and sold millions of tickets. The Stones released their most critically acclaimed album,
Sticky Fingers, in 1971, which spawned hit singles such as “Wild Horses” and “Brown Sugar”.
Jagger released his debut solo album,
She’s the Boss, in 1985. He went on to collaborate with a number notable artists such as the Jacksons, David Bowie, Jeff Beck, Pete Townshend and Nile Rodgers. His solo efforts unfortunately didn’t find the same success and Jagger continued to record and perform with the Stones. In 2009, he joined the electric supergroup SuperHeavy.
Jagger has also had a colorful acting career. Some his most popular film appearances include
Performance (1968) and
Ned Kelly (1970).
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A three-year-old Mick Jagger at his childhood home in Lent Lane, 1946. |
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A school photo of a 9-year-old Mick Jagger (1951) at Wentworth Junior County Primary School in his home town Dartford. |
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Mick Jagger (left) aged 8, on a family holiday with his younger brother Chris (right) in 1951. |
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Mick Jagger (left) aged 8, on a family holiday with his younger brother, 1951. |
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School photo showing Mick Jagger (3rd from left) and Keith Richards (6th from left back row) when they attended Wentworth Primary School, Dartford, Kent, 1951. |
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Mick Jagger with his friends, 1951. |
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Mick Jagger and friend. |
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Mick Jagger with his brother Chris Jagger, 1953. |
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Mick Jagger with dad Joe and brother Chris, 1956. |
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Mick Jagger in his teens. |