Mick Jagger

Mick Jagger News: Rolling Stones Set to Launch Hackney Diamonds Tour

Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones are preparing to hit the road once again, this time in support of their 2023 studio album Hackney Diamonds. At 80 years old, Jagger, alongside Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood, will kick off their highly anticipated Stones Tour ‘24 on April 28 in Houston. The legendary rock band will perform 19 shows across North America, including stops in major cities such as Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Los Angeles, with the tour running through mid-July.

In March, Jagger shared a glimpse of his tour preparations on Instagram, posting a video of himself playing an electric guitar. “Looking forward to seeing you all when the tour starts next month!” he wrote, fueling excitement among fans. This marks the Rolling Stones’ first tour in two years, further solidifying their status as one of rock’s most enduring acts.

Who Is Mick Jagger?

Mick Jagger is the iconic frontman of the Rolling Stones, captivating audiences with his energetic stage presence for over six decades. Born in southeast England, Jagger initially pursued studies at the London School of Economics before teaming up with his childhood friend Keith Richards to form what would become one of the most influential rock bands in history. With chart-topping hits like “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” and “Honky Tonk Women,” the Rolling Stones have become synonymous with rock ‘n’ roll rebellion and style.

The band has released over 19 platinum or multi-platinum albums and earned three Grammy Awards, cementing their legacy. While Jagger ventured into a solo career, it didn’t match the monumental success he achieved with the Stones. Known for his sex appeal and charisma, Jagger has also had a personal life that garnered public attention. He has been married twice and is the father of eight children.

Early Life of Mick Jagger

Michael Phillip Jagger was born on July 26, 1943, in Dartford, England, the eldest son of a schoolteacher and a homemaker. A popular and academically gifted student, Jagger developed a deep passion for American blues and R&B music, collecting records by artists like Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf. At 14, he received his first guitar, sparking his lifelong love for music.

As a teenager, Jagger formed his first band, Little Boy Blue and the Blue Boys, alongside his friend Dick Taylor, with Jagger as the lead singer. In 1960, he enrolled at the London School of Economics but continued pursuing his musical ambitions. Jagger and Richards reconnected and soon began exploring London’s burgeoning blues scene, spending time at the Ealing Club and becoming inspired by influential musicians like guitarist Brian Jones.

The Formation of the Rolling Stones

Jagger, Richards, and Taylor soon teamed up with Brian Jones to form a new band, which would eventually become the Rolling Stones. With the addition of pianist Ian Stewart and drummer Charlie Watts, the group solidified its lineup in 1963, replacing Taylor with bassist Bill Wyman. Under the management of Andrew Loog Oldham, the Rolling Stones cultivated a rebellious image, distinguishing themselves from other bands of the time.

Initially, the Stones recorded covers of blues and rock songs, but soon, Jagger and Richards emerged as a formidable songwriting duo. Their early hits, including “It’s All Over Now” and “Little Red Rooster,” helped establish their place in the music industry, and the band’s signature blend of blues-infused rock has since made them one of the most influential bands of all time.

Now, decades later, Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones continue to captivate audiences worldwide with their timeless music and electrifying performances, proving that their legacy is as strong as ever.

Hit Songs and Albums

The Rolling Stones’ journey to global stardom began in 1964 with the release of their self-titled debut album, which topped the British charts. However, it was in 1965 that the band truly cemented their status as rock icons, with chart-topping hits on both sides of the Atlantic. Tracks like “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” and “Get Off Of My Cloud,” alongside their 1965 album Out of Our Heads, became instant classics in both the U.K. and the U.S. British fans, in particular, propelled songs like “The Last Time” and the album Rolling Stones No. 2 to the top of the charts.

Further hits followed, including the 1966 No. 1 single “Paint It, Black” and the album Aftermath. The 1968 single “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” further solidified the band’s place in rock history, reaching No. 1 in the U.K. and breaking into the top five in the U.S. As the 1960s drew to a close, the Stones scored more successes with hits like “Honky Tonk Women” and the album Let It Bleed (1969). Throughout their career, the Stones achieved 10 No. 1 hits in the U.K. and U.S., with all of their chart-topping songs penned by the iconic duo of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. These include:

• “The Last Time” (U.K. only)
• “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”
• “Get Off Of My Cloud”
• “Paint It, Black”
• “Ruby Tuesday” (U.S. only)
• “Jumpin’ Jack Flash”
• “Honky Tonk Women”
• “Brown Sugar” (U.S. only)
• “Angie” (U.S. only)
• “Miss You” (U.S. only)

The 1970s and early 1980s brought more platinum-selling albums, including Black & Blue (1976), Some Girls (1978), Emotional Rescue (1980), Tattoo You (1981), and Undercover (1983). In total, the Stones have produced 19 platinum or multi-platinum albums.

Rolling Stones Through the Years

Throughout the band’s rise, Jagger’s personal life often made headlines. In 1967, both he and his girlfriend Marianne Faithfull were arrested during a drug raid at Keith Richards’ country home, resulting in convictions that were later overturned on appeal. Two years later, Jagger and Faithfull faced similar charges after a raid at his London residence.

Band Tragedies

1969 was a particularly challenging year for the Rolling Stones. Founding member Brian Jones, beset by legal troubles and drug use, left the band in June. Less than a month later, he was found dead in his swimming pool, with his death ruled as “death by misadventure.” In tribute, the Stones performed a free concert in Hyde Park just days later, dedicating the performance to their late bandmate. Jagger read from Percy Shelley’s “Adonais” and the group released butterflies in Jones’ honor.

That same year, tragedy struck again during a concert at Altamont Speedway in California. While the Stones performed “Under My Thumb,” a young man in the audience was fatally stabbed by a member of the Hells Angels, who had been hired as security. The event was captured in the 1970 documentary Gimme Shelter.

Stones’ Breakup and Reunion

Despite personal and professional tensions, the Stones enjoyed major success in the early 1970s with albums like Sticky Fingers (1971) and Exile on Main St. (1972). However, Mick Taylor’s departure in 1975 and rising tensions between Jagger and Richards nearly derailed the band. After a highly publicized feud in the mid-1980s, the Stones briefly disbanded but reunited in 1988.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction and Grammy Awards

The Rolling Stones were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1989, a year that also saw the release of their highly successful album Steel Wheels. In the following years, the band garnered multiple Grammy Awards, including Best Rock Album for Voodoo Lounge (1994) and Best Music Video, Short Form for “Love Is Strong.”

Recent Years: Super Bowl, Historic Havana Concert, and Another Grammy

In 2006, the Stones headlined the Super Bowl XL halftime show, further cementing their legendary status. In 2016, the band made history with a free concert in Havana, Cuba, where their music had previously been banned. That same year, they released Blue & Lonesome, an album of blues covers, which won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album in 2018.

Hackney Diamonds and U.S. Tour

In 2023, the Stones released Hackney Diamonds, their first album of original material in 18 years and the first following the death of drummer Charlie Watts. Featuring contributions from artists like Elton John, Paul McCartney, and Stevie Wonder, the album debuted at No. 1 in the U.K. and No. 3 in the U.S. In 2024, the band is set to embark on a 19-date U.S. tour.

Solo Career and Personal Life

In addition to his work with the Stones, Jagger pursued a solo career with varying degrees of success. His 1985 duet with David Bowie, “Dancing In The Street,” became a major hit. Outside of music, Jagger has acted in films and produced several notable projects, including Get On Up (2014), a biopic of James Brown.

Throughout his life, Jagger has been romantically linked to numerous women, including his two ex-wives Bianca Jagger and Jerry Hall. He is currently in a relationship with former ballerina Melanie Hamrick, with whom he shares a son. Jagger has a total of eight children, five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.