Mick Jagger

Going strong after 50 pulsating years, the Rolling Stones have left a huge indelible mark on rock and roll. One of the reasons for the band's success is the charismatic lead singer, Mick Jagger, who has carved out a niche as one of the greatest front men in rock and roll history. Jagger's imitable vocal style combined with his patented on-stage gyrations have placed the Rolling Stones founder into the apex of the rock and roll pantheon. His live performances have broadened the definitions of masculinity and formed the foundation for immense self-absorption. Jagger garnered press exposure for his rampant drug use and fleeting romances that led the media to portray the singer as the ultimate counter-culture hero. The Rolling Stones embraced the band's bad boy image by changing musical and lyrical styles in response to the growing disillusionment with the Vietnam War. With Jagger at the front of the bad boy image, the Rolling Stones sold out large outdoor venues that they often headlined solo. Jagger once described himself as an anarchist who believed in the leftist mantras promulgated during the counter-culture revolution. His provocative lyrics drew the scorn of religious leaders and politicians who viewed Jagger as a threat to the establishment status quo. The song "Sympathy for the Devil" sparked both outrage and admiration for Jagger's lyrical talents. Jagger had more power over his audiences than even the great Elvis Presley. His on-stage movements and wailing vocals enthralled women and made many men feel uncomfortable. Jagger's impact has been so immense that scholars have studied his performance style in terms of gender identity, image, and sexuality.