Mick Jagger: Rebel Knight

by Christopher Sandford

In celebration of Mick Jagger's 80th birthday, this revised edition features a new introduction from the author.‘The classic biography.’ The Times‘Sandford has done a meticulous job and writes in a gently authoritative, cohesive style.’ Q Magazine‘Shows a light and often comic touch.’ The Spectator____________________‘Please allow me to introduce myself / I'm a man of wealth and taste / I've been around for a long long year / Stole many a man's soul to waste’When he wrote the lyrics to Sympathy for the Devil in 1968, Mick Jagger could hardly have predicted how true the lyric ‘I’ve been around for a long long year’ would become.The Rolling Stones are, without a doubt, the most successful rock act ever. But the pace was hard, and most group members fell by the wayside or succumbed to addictions. Lead singer Mick Jagger, however, kept the band together with a remarkable combination of talent and business acumen.One of the greatest live entertainers of all time, Mick Jagger remains the benchmark by which other performers are judged. From the moment he first appeared on Ready Steady Go in 1961, exuding sexuality and poise, before breaking out into the strutting prance that would become his trademark, he became the absolute epitome of the rock star.It was also Mick who pioneered the androgyne trend in rock, appearing on stage at Hyde Park in a white frilly dress years before Bowie appeared on the scene.This wry and informative account takes us through the first 50 years of Jagger’s life, from working class Dartford lad to rock superstar, and finally into something like an English gentleman. The author draws on conversations with Jagger’s family, school friends, three members of his original group, and his former chauffeur Tom Keylock. There are intriguing insights into Jagger's turbulent relationships with band members (in particular with guitarist Keith Richards), his celebrity affairs, and his long relationships with Marianne Faithfull, his first wife Bianca, Marsha Hunt, and Jerry Hall.The story of Mick Jagger and The Stones is a fascinating one, full of the death of founder member Brian Jones, the tragedy at Altamont, the chaotic tours. Christopher Sandford tells the tale with skill and perception.

Genres: Music, Biography

451 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 9, 2016

About the author

Christopher Sandford has published acclaimed biographies of Kurt Cobain, Steve McQueen, Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Keith Richards, Paul McCartney, and Roman Polanski. He has worked as a film and music writer and reviewer for over 20 years and frequently contributes to newspapers and magazines on both sides of the Atlantic. Rolling Stone has called him "the preeminent author in his field today."

His latest project, MASTERS OF MYSTERY (forthcoming November 2011, Palgrave Macmillan) explores Arthur Conan Doyle's and Harry Houdini's incredible friendship and fascination with Spiritualism.

Reviews

[Andrew Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I suppose he’s always been there, Mick Jagger. In fact, he was there before I was there. Born in 1943 and having formed the Rolling Stones with old school chum Keith Richards in 1962, the band had already passed their peak years (arguably 1965-67) before I realised music was a ‘thing’. I bought my first single (Without You by Harry Nilsson) in 1971 by which time McCartney had filed suit for dissolution of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones had already released the majority of their best stuff. But I was certainly aware of both bands by this time and in that school playground debate that was frequently repeated I was definitely a Lennon and McCartney man. But as my interest in listening to music and actually buying records gained more prominance in my life I started to acquire a sneaky liking for the snake-hipped one. He was different from other singers, more edgy. He was interesting.

This book was first published some years back, comprising a well researched and pretty comprehensive account of the first 50 years of Mick’s life. For this version a short epilogue has been added, effectively bringing the book up to date. There was no cooperation from Jagger himself in the construction of the book, rather the facts were gathered together from research and from conversations with numerous people close to him. Significant input was provided by chauffeur/fixer Tom Keylock and band ‘minder’ Frank Thorogood but interviews were also conducted with Jagger’s parents and some other members of his family.

Mick’s life is tracked through from his early life in Dartford, Kent to his education at Wentworth Primary School (where he first met Keith Richards), the local grammar school and the London School of Economics. It’s clear that he was bright and diligent student – most of the time. He was a gifted mimic and in many ways ‘performed’ from an early age. Most of the book, though, focuses on his love for black American music, particularly blues, and his journey from fledgling singer to the influential rock star he eventually became. There are loads of facts and interesting anecdotes here and I thought the text did paint a decent picture of how events unfolded (be they fully accurate or not). Some of the most interesting segments dealt with the up and down relationship between Mick and Keith Richards and also Jagger’s history with a whole series of women. The events leading up to the death of fellow band member Brian Jones are also walked through in some detail, though additional information provided in the epilogue does throw some doubt on this account.

It’s all very well put together and if the book flags a little towards the end it’s really no more than confirmation that most of the interesting (to me) moments in the performer’s life happened early on. Anyway, if nothing else it gave me the prompt to call up loads of old videos of the group churning out classic songs. Yes, I may have once favoured the Fab Four’s output but I think I’m now very much a Stoner.

My thanks to Endeavour Press and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[patrick Lorelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has no help from Mick Jagger, but goes by interviews from people around him and from the records of his childhood and forward. I really was hoping for something more but for the most part the book was good. Most of the stuff in it I had heard about except for some of his earlier days before the band got together. Being a Stones fan from the first time I had heard them I cannot be disappointed to much in this book. Overall not bad. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 4 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com

[Ed Feola · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative but a little long winded in parts.

I learned a great deal about the Stones that I was unfamiliar with, but it got a little too detailed in spors.

[Christophe · Rating 3 out of 5]

The definitive biography of Mick Shagger.