Following a recent album launch event hosted by Conan O’Brien, the Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger has opened up about his long-standing musical history and the advice he received from peers throughout his career. In a candid conversation on the podcast Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend, Jagger reflected on a pivotal moment involving the late John Lennon and the legendary Elvis Presley.
Jagger recalled a specific instance where Lennon, who had met the King of Rock and Roll in 1965, shared a cautionary sentiment. “I remember John telling me, ‘You should never meet your heroes. I would never meet Elvis, Mick, if I were you,’” Jagger explained. Trusting the Beatle’s perspective, Jagger chose to avoid a potential encounter with Presley, a decision he now views with a sense of regret. “And so I didn’t. I took John’s advice. It was really stupid of me, really. I’d love to have met Elvis,” he admitted, musing that his own experience with the icon might have been entirely different.
Beyond his reflection on Presley, Jagger discussed the complex dynamics of his relationships with other music legends. He described his connection with David Bowie as one rooted in artistic competition, noting that Bowie’s immense ambition pushed him to refine his own performances. Jagger also touched upon his rapport with Lennon, characterizing their relationship as being “competitive in being sarcastic.” These insights offer a rare glimpse into the professional pressures and personal influences that shaped the trajectory of one of rock’s most enduring figures.
