Mick Jagger’s cheeky and scandalous reputation made him a rock legend and icon of alternative popular culture in the later half of last century. As well as being a chart success with a solo career and the group that took him to fame, The Rolling Stones, Jagger became a symbol of rebellion against the establishment and a style icon for a generation.
In the early 1960’s The Rolling Stones became an international sensation and with Mick as the front man and vocalist they proved unstoppable. As well as instantly recognisable hits like (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction, which was immortalised by the infamous Patsy Stone in Absolutely Fabulous (the BBC TV show with cult following about two washed up rock and roll hippie’s who now, bitter and alone work in fashion) they coined the antiestablishment bad boy image.
Everything from alleged drug abuse, tax evasion and two very tempestuous marriages to Bianca Jagger and Jerry Hall (the later breaking Bryan Ferry’s heart – maybe giving him the just cause for his own soulful and successful career) gave an already sultry and devastatingly attractive Mick an added sex appeal and sense of danger the British music scene so desperately needed.
Heavy set bone structure, a seductive gaze and a bad boy image plus his personal style which oozed care free arrogance gave Mick a fresh edge.
Far from being a masculine heartthrob, Jagger possessed an androgynous, bordering on camp trademark style. Even in his 60’s his slender frame proves captivating and alien and gave birth to the gaunt rock and roll silhouette which is so distinctive today.
His cultivated bad boy image was up against stiff competition from the 1960’s Beatle-mania which had defined the decade. With their pop music, clean-cut attitude, polished suits and bob hair The Beatles were a far cry from what The Rolling Stones were all about – Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll.
But by the late 1960’s the rock legend was born and his shaggy care free hair style was the tamest thing about his look. Make up, pierced ears, leather, skin tight t-shirts and jeans so shinny that nothing was left to the imagination became his signature style. Encompassing everything from 70’s glam rock, disco and punk, Mick Jagger became a new kind of celebrity who relished in scandal and pushed again the chains of conformity.
Mick Jagger proved you didn’t need to be butch or overtly masculine to be named a style icon and that sex appeal and charisma goes a long way. He opened up the definition of masculinity and gave birth to modern youth cultures idea of expression and self identity.
By Sam Outing
