The lead singer of the Rolling Stones band, Mick Jagger, is one of the best connoisseurs of the blues. From his teenage years, Jagger incorporated the blues into many of his compositions.

Mick Jagger and Melanie Hamrick are very reserved about their personal livesPhoto: GAC / The Mega Agency / Profimedia Images

If not for his love of the blues, Jagger would not have rekindled his relationship with Keith Richards, and The Rolling Stones may never have formed. Although there was a period when they did not speak to each other after childhood friends, they both independently became interested in the blues, and one day Richards noticed Jagger listening to a Muddy Waters record, writes The Guardian. British edition of Far Out Magazine

This vinyl sparked a discussion and the pair began making music together, leading to the formation of The Rolling Stones. With the group, Jagger paid homage to his musical ancestors. A prime example is the name of their group, taken from Muddy Waters’ song “Rollin’ Stone”.

In 2020, Jagger hosted the Planet Rock Blues Power radio show and compiled a playlist of ten of his favorite blues songs.

Here are Mick Jagger’s 10 favorite blues songs:

  • “King’s Palace” – Freddie King
  • Dropping Mom – Mississippi Fred McDowell
  • “Chicago” – Luther Ellison
  • “Strange things happen every day” – Sister Rosetta Tharp
  • “Too drunk to drive drunk” – Joe Louis Walker
  • “Someone’s Seen My Man” – Memphis Minnie
  • “Baby Please Don’t Leave Me” – Buddy Guy
  • “I’m So Happy I Cry” – Fantastic Negrito Feat. Tang & The Bangas
  • “Okay, Okay” – Alabama Shakes
  • “Boogie” – Little Walter