The reason Lennon didn't like Rolling Stone's Mick Jagger

John Lennon - legend of the music scene 60s - 70s years, a cult musician, a member of the no less iconic Liverpool Four The Beatles. Mick Jagger - another significant hero of the rock scene of those years, who, together with his team Rolling Stones conquered the world music scene, becoming the authority for most of the followers... And few things have been documented in more detail in the history of rock and roll than the original rivalry between The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. A lot of it had to do with their battles for fame and popularity, but one interview suggests it was a lot worse than most people think... In conversation with Rolling Stone John Lennon was cruel in his assessment Mick Jagger, but were these just hyperbolic comments or was the "poisonous vitriol" genuine...?

The Beatles and The Rolling Stones - friend or foe

These two groups have never been real enemies, but Lennon never felt comfortable on the same stage with Jagger.

It is known that thanks to George Harrison The Rolling Stones signed their first record deal, and Lennon, along with Keith Richards even formed a short-lived supergroup called Dirty Mac for the famous TV show Rock and Roll Circus TV!

Richards still speaks fondly of Lennon, and a strong friendship has developed between them ... The guitarist even agreed with Lennon's criticism that The Stones copied the album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band for your "Their Satanic Majesties Request", although he has confirmed that he is not a fan of either record.

But… Jagger and Lennon never shared such a friendly bond.

Scandalous interview with Lennon

The most obvious reason for hostility between two musicians is when Lennon unleashed an unfounded personal tirade against the Stones' lead singer. He named Jagger "joke" and used disgusting insults while talking to Rolling Stones in 1971 year ... Actually, this is how it was:

“I think there is too much hype around all this. I like “Honky Tonk Woman”, but I think Mick is a joke, with all these pediculous dancing… No, I repeat, I like it, and I’ll even probably go to see his video and everything, like everyone else. But in fact, I will think that everything he does is a joke ... "

"We saw each other a little when Allen first came - I think Mick was jealous," Lennon continued. "I've always been very respectful of Mick and the Stones in general, but he said a lot of harsh things about the Beatles, which offends me because, you know, I can knock the Beatles down, but I can't let Mick Jagger knock them down!"

Lennon did not end there, and his rant was far from over... He added contemptuously:

“I'd like to just list what we did and what the Stones did two months later on every fucking album! Everything we fucking did... Mick does the same thing - he imitates us! And I'd like one of you to point it out already! You already know perfectly well that Satanic Majesties is Pepper, "We Love You" is the most fucking bullshit, it's "All You Need Is Love" ... I resent the fact that the Stones look like revolutionaries, but the Beatles do not! »

Lennon is free to talk about music The Rolling Stones whatever he wants, but a personal attack on Jagger suggests there was more to his comments than meets the eye… The Beatle concluded by saying:

“He is clearly upset by how big the Beatles are compared to him: he could not come to terms with it. I resent it because we even wrote his second fucking record for him! Mick said, "The world brings money." We didn't get any money from it. Basically, you know…”

Conclusion…

In the early days of both bands, there was some friendship between them. The Beatles even gave The Stones one of their songs, which they wouldn't do if they didn't love them as people. However ... somewhere in the future, Lennon's position has changed, and it seems that The Rolling Stones and The Beatles there was no way to correct this situation ...

They were different people, and although the hatred may have been too strong on the part Lennon, Jagger really gave his consent when he was honored to contribute The Beatles in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 year ... During his speech, the leader of The Stones touchingly remarked:

“In those early years, we had a lot of rivalry and a bit of disagreement, but in the end we always remained friends. I like to think we're still alive because those were some of the greatest times of our lives and I'm really proud to have them inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!"

Respect and admiration Jagger Lennon as an artist, this is something that no one can doubt. Another question is whether Lennon fully reproduced this love? Although they hung out in the same places and with the same people in the early days, the two musicians' friendship didn't seem to be strong enough to recover from the verbal beatings...