Mick Jagger called it “really stupid of me.” The Rolling Stones frontman, 81, told Rolling Stone he regrets following John Lennon’s advice to skip a meeting with Elvis Presley in the 1970s. The confession, reported on March 19, 2025, reignites a pivotal moment in rock history.
The invitation came when Elvis was performing in Las Vegas. Jagger and the Stones had a chance to meet the King backstage. Lennon warned: “Don’t meet your heroes.” Jagger listened. “I thought he was right,” Jagger said. “But it was really stupid of me. I should have gone.”
Jagger’s regret persists. In a HuffPost interview, he reiterated: “That one bit of advice from John? Really stupid of me.” He noted the missed opportunity to connect with Presley, a figure who shaped his own musical ambitions. The regret has resonated with fans and media for decades.
“I said, ‘God, you’ve nicked all my things,'” Jagger recalled to MusicRadar. The target was David Bowie. Bowie’s response: “Yeah, I know, man. I know. It’s like a homage to you.” The classic song in question—Bowie’s 1975 track “Fame”—openly borrows the Stones’ gritty rhythm section sound. Jagger, co-writer of the song, confirmed the theft.
This admission highlights a web of influence and rivalry. Lennon’s advice reflected the competitive dynamic between the Beatles and the Stones. Both bands admired Elvis, but their rivalry shaped genre evolution. Bowie’s borrowing, meanwhile, shows how homage and theft blur in rock history.
What could have been? A Jagger-Elvis meeting might have altered pop culture. Elvis acknowledged the Stones’ talent, even covering their songs. Contrast this with Paul McCartney’s collaboration with Elvis in the 1960s—or Bowie’s later partnerships. Jagger’s decision to follow Lennon without question cost him a historic moment.
Jagger’s honesty offers a lesson for modern musicians. Meeting heroes can be risky, but avoiding them carries its own cost. The regret, now public, underscores the importance of making independent choices.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: Why did Mick Jagger call it ‘really stupid of me’?
- A: Jagger regrets following John Lennon’s advice to avoid meeting Elvis Presley in the 1970s, calling the missed opportunity a foolish decision.
- Q: What advice did John Lennon give Mick Jagger?
- A: Lennon told Jagger ‘Don’t meet your heroes,’ which led Jagger to skip a backstage meeting with Elvis during his Las Vegas performance.
- Q: Did Mick Jagger comment on David Bowie borrowing from The Rolling Stones?
- A: Yes, Jagger noted that David Bowie’s 1975 track ‘Fame’ openly borrowed the Stones’ gritty rhythm section sound, calling it a homage.
Extended Reading
For further context, see Rolling Stone’s original report on Jagger’s confession (March 2025), HuffPost’s follow-up analysis (March 2025), and MusicRadar’s deep dive into Bowie’s admitted theft of the Stones’ sound (March 2025).