Mick Jagger: The Legendary Rock Star’s Path to Fame

Mick Jagger was born on July 26, 1943, in Dartford, Kent, England. He is a British musician best known as the flamboyant lead singer of the Rolling Stones, an iconic English rock band, for which he co-wrote the majority of songs. He has also released several solo albums.

Jagger is the eldest child of Basil (“Joe”) Jagger, a physical education teacher, and Eva Ensley Mary, a homemaker. He attended Wentworth Primary School in Dartford, Kent, England. In 1951, he met his longtime songwriting collaborator, British musician Keith Richards, at the school. Jagger later transferred to Dartford Grammar School when his parents moved the family to Wilmington, also in Kent, causing him and Richards to lose touch.

From an early age, Jagger's spirit and ambition were evident. His mother, Eva Jagger, recalls how he was an adventurous boy who later developed a keen interest in money, setting him apart from his peers. Little did she know that this drive and determination would propel Jagger to become one of the greatest rock stars the world has ever seen.

During his adolescence, Jagger sang in the church choir and developed a fondness for American blues music, particularly the works of Howlin’ Wolf, Little Richard, and Muddy Waters. By age 14, he had started to play the guitar and, in 1960, became the lead singer of Little Boy Blue and the Blues Boys.

Jagger reunited with Richards in 1961 after they met accidentally at a train station in Kent. At the time, Jagger was attending the London School of Economics, while Richards was attending Sidcup Art College. They bonded over their shared interest in American rock and rhythm and blues (R&B) music. In 1962, Jagger formed the 'Rolling Stones' with Richards (guitar and vocals) and fellow British musicians Brian Jones (multiple instruments), Charlie Watts (drums), and Bill Wyman (bass).

Jagger and Richards collaborated on numerous songs during their long career with the 'Rolling Stones'. Music historians often highlight their albums from 1968 to 1972—Beggars Banquet (1968), 'Let It Bleed' (1969), 'Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out'! (1970), 'Sticky Fingers' (1971), and the double album 'Exile on Main Street' (1972)—as some of the band’s most creative and enduring works.

During this time, the band recorded some of rock’s biggest hits like “Brown Sugar,” “Honky Tonk Women,” “Street Fighting Man,” “Sister Morphine,” and “Gimme Shelter.” They also faced legal issues, including several drug arrests, the death of band member Brian Jones, and moving to France to avoid Britain’s high tax rates in the 1970s

While the band continued to make music in the 1970s and ’80s, Jagger also worked on several notable collaborations with other artists.

Amid simmering tensions with the Rolling Stones, Jagger released his first solo record, 'She’s the Boss', in 1985. The album reached number 6 on the U.K. album chart and number 13 in the United States. The album’s lead single, “Just Another Night,” reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 on the U.S. Mainstream Rock chart. Jagger rejoined the Rolling Stones after his subsequent solo record, 'Primitive Cool' (1987), which despite receiving high marks from critics, failed to sell as well as his debut.

In addition to his music career, Jagger has acted in several films. He starred as the infamous Australian outlaw in 'Ned Kelly' (1970) and as "Turner", a retired rock star, in 'Performance' (1970). Jagger was originally cast in Werner Herzog’s 'Fitzcarraldo' (1982) and filmed a scene, but scheduling conflicts forced him to leave the project.