Mick Jagger has often claimed he will never write an autobiography, with many Stones fans begrudgingly accepting this fact by now. So imagine the shock when it was revealed that Jagger has actually penned a 75,000 word book about his life, but it was shelved in the ’80s.
Publisher John Blake claims he has the entire manuscript, one of only a few copies in existence, and despite repeated attempts, he has not been able to convince Jagger to publish it.
The book came about when, in the late-’70s, Jagger was paid an advance of £1 million to pen his memoirs. A 75,000 word manuscript was delivered in the early ’80s, and was rejected, as it was light on the sex, drugs, and hedonism any publisher paying £1 million was banking on. Jagger refused to pander, returned the advance, and the project stalled.
Blake writes that the book contains stories of Jagger buying a historic mansion while high on acid, and that he drinks eight pints of water before hitting the stage, as he often lost ten pints worth just in his performance. Blake says of the book: “It is a little masterpiece. A perfectly preserved time capsule written when the Stones had produced all their greatest music but still burned with the passion and fire of youth and idealism.
“One of my favourite anecdotes is of Mick returning unannounced to Dartford to see his parents after two years of chaotic world tours, debauchery, mayhem, riots and goodness only knows what else. ‘Oh Michael,’ says his horrified mother on opening the door. ‘Your hair….’”
Let’s hope the book one day sees the light of day. It would provide invaluable insight into one of the most popular bands in the history of rock ‘n’ roll.
