Meta Description: Discover how Mick Jagger, the ultimate frontman of The Rolling Stones, was influenced by Elvis Presley and Gene Vincent. Learn about his iconic stage presence and lasting legacy.
Mick Jagger: The Ultimate Frontman Inspired by Elvis Presley and Gene Vincent
Mick Jagger is perhaps the frontman to end all frontmen, embodying what it means to lead a band with charisma and energy. Even today, Jagger steps on stage, ready to give it his all as the all-singing, all-dancing face of The Rolling Stones. His style is often imitated but never beaten. According to Jagger himself, he stole his signature moves from two legends: Elvis Presley and Gene Vincent.
Jagger’s Iconic Stage Presence
It’s hard to think of a singer as iconic as Mick Jagger. While The Rolling Stones’ anthemic tracks made them a global success, it’s their frontman’s infamous on-stage swagger that has made them endure as a phenomenon. Despite their O.A.P. status, the band’s shows remain high-energy, with Jagger still racing across the stage with his signature hip wiggle, finger point, and clap combo.
Early Influences: Elvis Presley and Gene Vincent
Even as The Rolling Stones first broke out, Jagger’s on-stage presence captured attention. Fellow musicians often imitated him, sometimes ruffling the Stones’ feathers. Steven Tyler, for instance, drew Jagger’s ire for seemingly copying his style. However, Jagger acknowledges that his performance style is heavily influenced by two artists who came before him: Elvis Presley and Gene Vincent.
“I saw Elvis and Gene Vincent, and I thought, ‘Well, I can do this’,” Jagger told Rolling Stone. Both Elvis and Vincent were leaders of the original rock and roll wave. Jagger mirrors their blend of blues and pop to create his unique brand of rock and roll. Their captivating stage energy inspired Jagger to perform with charisma and groove from an early age.
The Legacy of Jagger’s Performance Style
Elvis had his scandalous hips, making him a sensation from the first second they shook. Similarly, Gene Vincent had an unabashed sex appeal, turning every performance into a seduction routine. If you merge the two, you essentially get a blueprint for Mick Jagger. “It’s a real buzz, even in front of 20 people, to make a complete fool of yourself,” Jagger said. “But people seemed to like it.”
Jagger’s ability to lose himself in the sheer fun of performing has defined his career. Now, over 60 years into The Rolling Stones’ career, people still love his energetic performances. Jagger’s performance style will go down in history as one of music’s greatest on-stage masters, right next to his idols, Elvis Presley and Gene Vincent.
