An examination of Mick Jagger’s spectacular life and the cultural revolution he led as the legendary front man of the Rolling Stones.

As the Rolling Stones celebrate their fiftieth anniversary, their legendary front man remains an enigma; he hasn’t given an in-depth interview in a decade and a half. Drawing on firsthand recollections from rockers, filmmakers, writers, and other artists who have been transformed by Mick Jagger’s work, acclaimed music journalist Marc Spitz has created a unique examination of the Jagger legacy. Combining biography with cultural history, Jagger unfolds like a captivating documentary, a series of episodes tracing the icon’s rise from his childhood in middle-class postwar London to his status as a jet-setting knight.

Culturally astute, often funny, and painstakingly researched, Jagger offers a far richer potrait than biographies published previously. The book reveals much about his relationships (with Marianne Faithfull and ex-wives Bianca Jagger and Jerry Hall); his complex, creative partership with Keith Richards; his friends, including John Lennon and David Bowie; and his enemies, such as Hells Angels leader Sonny Barger. Spitz goes even deeper, exploring Jagger’s many roles: authentic soul man; powerful social commentator; sexual liberator; would-be movie star; and a shrewd businessman with an enthusiasm for much younger women. The myth of Mick is examined and rebooted for the twenty-first century.

A biography and cultural examination of the Rolling Stones’ frontman Mick Jagger’s spectacular life and the cultural revolution he led.

As the Rolling Stones’ legendary front man Mick Jagger remains an enigma. He hasn’t given an in-depth interview for a decade and a half and never commented on his friend and partner, Keith Richard’s often critical biography. Drawing on firsthand recollections from rockers, filmmakers, writers, radicals, and other artists who have been transformed by Mick Jagger’s work, acclaimed music journalist Marc Spitz has created a unique examination of the Jagger legacy, debunking long held myths and restoring his status as a complicated artist. Combining biography with cultural history, Jagger unfolds like a captivating documentary, a series of episodes tracing the icon’s rise from his childhood in middle-class postwar London to his status as a jet-setting knight.

A culturally astute, often funny, and painstakingly researched read, Jagger offers a far richer portrait than biographies published previously. The book reveals much about his relationships (with Marianne Faithfull and ex-wives Bianca Jagger and Jerry Hall); his complex, creative partnership with Keith Richards; his friends like John Lennon and David Bowie; and enemies like Hells Angels leader Sonny Barger. Spitz goes even deeper, exploring Jagger’s many roles: an authentic soul man; powerful social commentator; sexual liberator; would-be movie star; and yes, sometimes, a shrewd businessman with an enthusiasm for much younger women. The myth of Mick is examined and rebooted for the twenty-first century.

"Talk about sympathy for the devil: Marc Spitz turns Mick Jagger’s life into a savagely funny, monstrously hypnotic narrative. It’s a brilliant tale of sex, music, decadence, and celebrity, one that seems to suck in most of the past century, from Route 66 to Studio 54. Nobody’s ever told the story better—Jagger might be rock & roll’s most unknowable soul, but Spitz gives him back every bit of his Satanic majesty." — Rob Sheffield

"Mick Jagger is our age’s Byronic exemplar of action and experience. Mick and the Rolling Stones opened new worlds for us, and worlds beyond. Marc Spitz, Jagger’s latest biographer, has done him justice and more, with new info, trenchant insights, and best of all- a sense of humor." — Stephen Davis

"The first sentence of the 5th paragraph of this book is ‘Here we go’, and Spitz means it. This is a sustained, headlong, late-night crystalline rant/sermon/declaration that never lets up, never plays safe, and, when you’re finished, finally lets you breathe. Goddamit. Now I have to go buy this dude’s Bowie book." — Patton Oswalt

"If Chuck Berry invented ‘rock and roll’ Mick Jagger invented ‘rock star.’ With the swagger and the soul, the brains and the balls, Spitz proves that Jagger is truly the man. An insightful and inspiring page burner, Jagger is a pleasure for even the most jaded jukebox junkie." — Jesse Malin

"With a reporter’s doggedness, a fan’s zeal, and a stand-up’s eye for absurd detail, Marc Spitz makes the awfully compelling case that Mick Jagger’s true talents have long gone underappreciated. Jagger provides ample proof of why Spitz is one of rock lit’s funniest, funkiest, and finest voices." — Doug Brod, Editor in Chief, SPIN

“[A] picaresque biography.” — Vogue

“An eager hagiography that takes aim at Mr. Richards while trumpeting Mr. Jagger’s overlooked fine qualities. Spitz knows enough about the Stones’ history to pick good shots and leave out the dull stuff.” — New York Times

“His history is every bit as compelling as the one portrayed by Richards in his recent autobiography” — The Boston Globe

“Stones fans and popular music readers can rest comfortably knowing that Jagger is not only an engaging biography, but also a compelling work of cultural criticism.” — Popmatters.com

“Competently enough written, this is a pleasant read that nicely puts all the old stories in some order, referencing discarded lovers, dalliances, and other time-honored themes.” — Booklist

Jagger

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By Marc Spitz