Mick Jagger Reveals The Rolling Stones’ Other “Rival” Besides The Beatles
via Hi Tones Record Store / YouTube
Friendly But Fierce Competition
Mick Jagger recently talked about a surprising rival from The Rolling Stones’ early years—one that wasn’t The Beatles. In an interview with Rolling Stone founder Jann Wenner, Jagger shared that while their competition with The Beatles was intense, it was also friendly. But there was another band that, at the time, felt like a bigger problem.
Jagger said the rivalry with The Beatles didn’t bother him as much. “Super, highly competitive – but friendly. Because when you’re very young, it’s very hard. Looking back, thinking of all that competition, I hate it. But I suppose it’s all right, because I won out,” he said. However, it wasn’t just the Fab Four the Stones had to worry about. According to Jagger, “it wasn’t only between us and the Beatles but us and all the other bands.”
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The Surprise Rival: Herman’s Hermits
The unexpected group that frustrated The Rolling Stones? Herman’s Hermits. While not as remembered today, they were one of the biggest acts of the time. Jagger recalled a show in Philadelphia where Herman’s Hermits were the headliners. “I remember one time playing in Philadelphia, and Herman’s Hermits were top of the bill, and we were second, and there was some argument about the dressing rooms,” Jagger said. “[Peter Noone] was complaining because he was top of the bill and his dressing room wasn’t good enough.”
Herman’s Hermits were so popular then that people confused the two bands. Jagger shared, “And one of the most impossible things was going out to have a hamburger, and some guy would go, ‘Are you Herman’s Hermits?’ It would kill you. So you go, ‘Fuck you. Herman’s Hermits is shit.’”
Herman’s Hermits and Their Rise
Herman’s Hermits, a Manchester group that had Jimmy Page as a session guitarist early on, became famous with their hit “I’m Into Something Good.” Even though they had early success, they didn’t reach the long-term popularity of The Beatles or The Rolling Stones. Their lead singer, Peter Noone, left the group in 1971 but returned briefly in 1973. Drummer Barry Whitman is the only original member still playing with the group today.
Despite the competition, the 1960s British rock scene was also full of support. Herman’s Hermits even received help from Paul McCartney and John Lennon, who gave them a song that became a major hit.
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Paul McCartney on Helping the Stones
Paul McCartney also recalled a helpful moment involving The Rolling Stones. He described a chance meeting in London during the early 1960s. “John and I were walking down Charing Cross Road in London… and two guys were going past in a taxi and shouted ‘Oi! Oi!’ and it was Mick and Keith of The Stones,” McCartney said.
He and Lennon hopped into the cab and started talking. “Mick was saying ‘oh we’ve got a recording contract… we’re with Decca now.’ We said ‘ah great, congratulations,’ because it was a very friendly scene.”
The Song That Helped Launch The Stones
McCartney said there wasn’t much rivalry between the two bands. “It now seems like there was this bitter feud… but it wasn’t like that at all.” He said the groups shared many of the same musical influences and fashion styles.
Then, during the cab ride, The Rolling Stones asked if Lennon and McCartney had a song they could use. “I said… there’s this Ringo song… it’s not going to be a single for us, but maybe you guys could take it.” That song was I Wanna Be Your Man, which became one of The Rolling Stones’ first singles and helped launch their career.
