Michael Philip Jagger, born in 1943 in Dartford, United Kingdom, built a musical career spanning over six decades as the lead singer and co-founder of The Rolling Stones. His transition from an undergraduate student at the London School of Economics to a global rock performer fundamentally shaped the trajectory of modern popular music and performance styles.
Early Education and Musical Roots
Jagger attended Wentworth Primary School and Dartford Grammar School, where he first encountered future collaborator Keith Richards. Following his family's relocation to Wilmington, he pursued studies at the London School of Economics and Political Science. His formal education ended when he chose to prioritize his commitment to the band he helped form, moving into a shared flat in Chelsea to focus on the group's development.
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The band took its name from a Muddy Waters track, emerging from an ensemble that included early members such as Brian Jones and Ian Stewart. After playing unpaid gigs at venues near Ealing Broadway, the group performed at the Marquee Club in July 1962. Jagger transitioned from a member of Little Boy Blue & The Blue Boys to the primary vocalist of the Rolling Stones, eventually pivoting from blues covers to original songwriting alongside Richards.
Solo Work and Film Production
Beyond his tenure with the Rolling Stones and the group SuperHeavy, Jagger expanded his professional repertoire into acting and film production. He appeared in the 1970 films Performance and Ned Kelly. Later, he established the production company Jagged Films, which oversaw the 2001 drama Enigma. Throughout the 1980s, he pursued solo musical projects, most notably the 1985 single Dancing in the Street, a collaboration with David Bowie.
Recognition and Awards
Jagger’s contributions to the arts have been formally acknowledged through several accolades. He was knighted as a Knight Bachelor in 2002. His work in film earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song in 2004, the same year he received the Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Song and the Las Vegas Film Critics Society Award for Best Song. In 2005, he received a World Soundtrack Award.
Fast facts
- Born: 1943, Dartford
- Citizenship: United Kingdom
- Education: London School of Economics and Political Science
- Primary Band: The Rolling Stones
- Knighted: 2002
- Occupations: Singer, songwriter, actor, record producer
- Supergroup membership: SuperHeavy
Questions readers ask
What subjects did Mick Jagger study at university?
He studied finance and accounting at the London School of Economics before leaving to focus on his music career.
Did Mick Jagger record as a solo artist?
Yes, he released four solo albums and collaborated on projects like the 1985 single Dancing in the Street.
Achievements
- Knight Bachelor — 2002
- Instruments: guitar, harmonica and piano
- Genres: rock music, blues and rock and roll
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