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Rolling Stones quotes: Mick Jagger on the Stones’ longevity and accomplishments (1984)

FRIENDSHIPS THAT ROCK
Mick Jagger spills on what’s kept The Rolling Stones ticking for decades. He and Keith have been pals since age six, and Charlie’s been in the mix over 20 years. Those bonds outlasted marriages, relationships, and all the craziness of rock ‘n’ roll life. Fame, tours, and chaos? No problem—the friendships held strong, letting the Stones keep rocking hard while most bands would have folded ages ago.

“Keith and I have been friends for a long time. Yes we were friends since we were 6 years old which, I’m not going to tell you, is a long time ago, more than 20 years… I’ve been friends with Charlie for over 20 years. It’s difficult to analyze why, you know, why us? You don’t know. And, as someone said to me, those friendships lasted over the other ones, you know, with women and all that. So the band’s been going on longer than any marriage or involvement I’ve been in… I’m not proud of achievements…

…Pride can come just before a fall, you know, and all that. I’m not particularly proud of – some of the things the Stones have done have been great, some have been rubbish. That’s the way life goes. That’s the lot – I chose it and I could have sort of got out of it at any time. But I’m still in there. And I wouldn’t be there if I didn’t… enjoy it.”

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Friendship, Music, and Staying Power

Mick Jagger reflects on the friendships that have fueled The Rolling Stones for decades. “Keith and I have been friends since we were six,” he recalls,“and I’ve known Charlie for over 20 years.” Those early bonds became the backbone of a band that has outlasted almost every other commitment in his life, including marriages and relationships. Jagger admits it’s hard to analyze why these connections endured, but their longevity allowed the Stones to thrive where other groups might have faltered. Despite the global fame, endless touring, and the chaos that surrounds a rock ‘n’ roll life, the friendships remained.

They’ve been there through highs and lows, and while the path hasn’t always been smooth, it’s these bonds that kept the music alive, the energy raw, and the creativity flowing. Jagger’s honesty about the ups and downs of life and music shows that The Stones’ longevity isn’t just about talent—it’s about loyalty, persistence, and sheer enjoyment of what they do.

Pride, Reflection, and Choice

Jagger is refreshingly candid about accomplishments and missteps. “I’m not particularly proud—some things have been great, some rubbish. That’s life,” he says. Success hasn’t made him complacent; pride, he notes, can precede a fall. But despite challenges, he chose to stay in the band because he genuinely enjoys it. The honesty, humor, and resilience in his reflection capture why The Rolling Stones remain one of the world’s most enduring rock bands: they embrace the highs and lows, stick together, and keep the music rolling.

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