Music

Jagger Wraps Up Solo LP

While still writing new stuff for the Stones.

January 17, 1985

Mick Jagger Rolling Stones — Mick Jagger backstage in dressing room on February 2nd, 1984. Ebet Roberts/Redferns

Mick Jagger has completed his first solo album, which is set for release in mid-February. “It wasn’t from any great frustration; I was just feeling in the mood for it,” said Jagger. Looking healthy and in good humor, Jagger said he decided to proceed with the project after hearing some demos he’d done in the Bahamas. “When I heard them, I thought, ‘Why don’t I just go ahead and do this? If it doesn’t work, I’ve lost some money, and that’s all.’ So I went and did it.”

The still-untitled LP, coproduced by Nile Rodgers and Bill Laswell, is a no-holds-barred rock & roll record that features Jeff Beck, Herbie Hancock and Pete Townshend. Standout songs include “She’s the Boss,” “Lucky in Love,” “Lonely at the Top” and a ballad, complete with a string section, titled “Hard Woman.”

After finishing a forty-minute video for the LP, Jagger was to begin writing material with Keith Richards for the next Stones LP. The band should start recording next month, and a summer tour of the U.S. is also being planned.

This story is from the January 17th, 1985 issue of Rolling Stone.