Mick Jagger Claims The Beatles Were “Just a Blues Cover Band When They Started Out”
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In rock and roll, few names stand as tall as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. While The Beatles were at the forefront of the ‘British Invasion’ in the 1960s, The Rolling Stones carved their own path to rock stardom. Both bands have enjoyed immense success and changed the music industry. However, Mick Jagger, the charismatic frontman of The Rolling Stones, made a statement that raised some eyebrows.
Mick Jagger has yet again responded to Paul McCartney’s assertion that The Beatles were superior to The Rolling Stones. McCartney’s comments, made during an interview with Howard Stern in 2020, stirred up a long-standing debate between fans of the two legendary bands. Jagger, never one to back down from a musical skirmish, has now offered his latest thoughts on the matter in a new interview.
Image Courtesy: The Mirror
McCartney’s claim, expressed on Stern’s show, was straightforward: “The Beatles were better.” He elaborated, “There’s a lot of differences, and I love the Stones, but I’m with you.” McCartney pointed to The Rolling Stones’ blues roots, suggesting that The Beatles had a broader range of influences.
Jagger’s initial response to McCartney’s comment was somewhat dismissive yet lighthearted. He stated, “That’s so funny. He’s a sweetheart. There’s obviously no competition.” He then went into the differences between the two bands, emphasizing that The Rolling Stones had an extensive history of stadium and arena concerts, whereas The Beatles disbanded before entering that era of live performances.
Image Courtesy: Rolling Stone
In his latest interview, Jagger responded to McCartney’s words by pointing out an interesting historical fact that both bands started as blues cover bands. Jagger noted, “Well, the Beatles were also really just a blues cover band when they started out. Every band is a cover band at the beginning, because that’s how it goes.” This observation highlights the commonality in the early musical journeys of both bands.
However, Jagger didn’t miss the opportunity to add a touch of humour to the conversation. He revealed that following McCartney’s comments, he would jokingly tell his bandmates that McCartney was in the audience and might join them on stage. Jagger said, “I said one time, ‘Paul McCartney is here tonight. He’s going to come up on stage and play some of our blues cover tunes.'” The playful banter between these two rock legends continues to entertain fans.
Image Courtesy: Billboard
Moreover, the rivalry between The Beatles and The Rolling Stones seems to have taken a more harmonious turn in recent times. McCartney contributed his bass skills to The Rolling Stones’ track ‘Bite My Head Off,’ part of their upcoming album ‘Hackney Diamonds,’ set to release on 20th October. Keith Richards, The Rolling Stones’ guitarist, expressed his gratitude for McCartney’s collaboration, stating, “And hey, if you can get one of the Beatles on your track, you know, you do it.”
Richards also ventured to imagine how other Beatles members would have fit into The Rolling Stones. He mused that both John Lennon and George Harrison could have seamlessly become part of the Stones’ musical world, underscoring the mutual respect and admiration that exists between the members of these two legendary British bands.
-Britney Jones