Like what you see? Help keep it going! This site runs on the support of readers like you. Your donation helps cover costs and keeps fresh Rolling Stones content coming your way every day. Thank you!
Rolling Stones Quotes: Mick Jagger on the Stones’ reaction to his future first solo album (1984)
“As soon as I was planning on doing it , I told the band, and I said, ‘Well do you mind if I take this time out?’… I think that the Stones didn’t want it to be a shit record: Mick, don’t make a shit record, because that’s going to reflect on us. And I said, No, if it’s a shit record – if I think it’s shit, and CBS thinks it’s shit – it won’t go out! I don’t think they were furious about it, because we talked about it. I talked about it with Keith, and he said, Hey, if you want to do it, go ahead. Don’t forget you’re taking a chance. I said, Well, yeah. You know, you’ve got to take chances in life. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”
Mick Jagger’sShe’s the Boss (1985): A Solo Move That Rocked the Stones
In 1985, Mick Jagger stepped outside the Rolling Stones to release his first solo album, She’s the Boss. With its polished production, pop-friendly hooks, and ‘80s sheen, the album was a clear departure from the raw, blues-driven sound of the Stones. Tracks like Just Another Night and Lucky in Love showed Jagger embracing the slick, radio-ready style of the era, working with producers like Nile Rodgers and Bill Laswell.
While the album found commercial success, not everyone in the Stones camp was thrilled, which eventually led to a reaction. Keith Richards, in particular, wasn’t shy about his feelings. He saw Jagger’s solo ambitions as a betrayal of the band, famously calling it “She’s the Boss, and I guess he must be the employee.” Tension between Mick and Keith hit a boiling point, leading to a period where the Stones seemed on shaky ground.
Despite the drama, Jagger’s solo experiment ultimately didn’t derail the band. By the late ‘80s, he and Richards patched things up, leading to the Stones’ massive comeback with Steel Wheels in 1989. Looking back, She’s the Boss might not be a classic, but it certainly played a role in the wild, unpredictable saga of the Rolling Stones.
Like what you see? Help keep it going! This site runs on the support of readers like you. Your donation helps cover costs and keeps fresh Rolling Stones content coming your way every day. Thank you!
