Mick Jagger rejects the “control freak” label, despite being described that way before.
The Rolling Stones frontman spoke about his role in the band during a recent appearance on the “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend” podcast. Jagger and O’Brien talked about different moments from Jagger’s career.
O’Brien recalled watching Jagger backstage at an event and noticing how involved he was with every detail. “I looked back at Keith [Richards], and I said, ‘Was this Mick in 1962?’” O’Brien said. “He said, ‘Yes.’”
O’Brien then asked Jagger about his reputation for organizing and managing the Rolling Stones. “Sometimes I was called a control freak,” Jagger said. “But I’m not a control freak at all. I like to delegate. The thing about this kind of work is you delegate these big jobs.”
Jagger said he still checks and approves many details for Rolling Stones events, including venue choices and special guests. Before every show, he looks out at the crowd to get a sense of the audience.
“You’ve got to see the room full,” Jagger said. “What kind of people are there? How many people are there? What does the room feel like? I think that’s important. You do want to fill the room because it affects how you act and how the audience reacts. I think all that is really important.”
The Rolling Stones released their 25th studio album, “Foreign Tongues,” earlier this year. The band does not have any live performances scheduled, but Jagger has suggested they may play some shows in 2027.