JAGGER: Rebel, Rock Star, Rambler, Rogue

by Marc Spitz

Published by Gotham, 2011

An unprecedented, evenhanded examination of one of the most celebrated and misunderstood figures in the history of rock and roll.

Taking on a cultural icon whose contributions, image, influence and effect on our culture have been immeasurable, acclaimed music journalist Marc Spitz has created a unique, in-depth exploration of Mick Jagger’s legacy. Combining biography with cultural history, Jagger unfolds like a captivating documentary, a series of episodes tracing the stars rise from his childhood in middle-class postwar London to his status as “Sir Mick, a jet-setting elder statesman of rock.

Fifty years since Mick stood on a stage a from man for the Rolling Stones, the Jagger myth is re-examined and rebooted for the twenty-first century, and the result includes the real story behind everything from how he became a symbol for the new freedom of the 60’s, weathered the fallout from the disastrous Altamont concert, created the rock and roll celebrity, staked a place outside the band by appearing in feature films, and along the way he clashes with James Brown, the punks and Pistols of the 70’s, Truman Capote, Bryan Ferry, Guns N’ Roses, and of course his mate Keith Richards, his soul brother and sometime bête noire.

Underrated and unpredictable, from his early teens through the hazy 60’s , the sexy 70’s, the go-go 80”s, the oil can 90’s and right into the 21st century, Mick Jagger is as soulful, provocative and exciting as ever.