Mick Jagger’s 5 Longtime Musical Grudges

For decades, Mick Jagger led The Rolling Stones through major changes in rock. He spoke openly about bands he respected, but he also criticized artists he felt copied the Stones or challenged their place in music. His comments were sharp, and interviews often turned into honest reviews of other people’s work. While he praised artists like Prince and David Bowie, he didn’t hold back when talking about bands he disliked. These public remarks helped shape long-running feuds and gave fans a look at how competitive rock really was.

1. Aerosmith

Jagger never liked being compared to Aerosmith, especially their singer, Steven Tyler. He thought Tyler was copying his style rather than building his own. In a 1977 interview, he said, “The singer is quite a nice guy, mind you. He’s almost too bloody sweet.” Jagger joked that Tyler acted like a fan rather than a rival. He made fun of the similarities, asking, “What are you playing at, fuckin’ impersonating me?”

The comments became harsher when he talked about the band’s music. He dismissed their work completely, saying, “Oh God, Aerosmith! They’re just rubbish – absolute bullshit.” For Jagger, it wasn’t influence—it was imitation. He viewed the band as a weaker reflection of the Stones, and he refused to treat them as equals.

2. New York Dolls

Jagger had a strange relationship with the early punk scene, and the New York Dolls landed on the wrong side of it. He didn’t believe they were true punk, even though they were important to the movement. Instead, he felt their act was built on image more than sound. When asked about them, Jagger simply said, “Ugh, the New York Dolls! What a load of rubbish!” which showed how little he respected their music.

He didn’t reject punk completely. He often went to CBGB while in New York to watch new bands. He said the Dolls looked more glam than punk, adding, “They didn’t really play that kind of music … it was more of a glam look.” His view came from expectation—he wanted energy and raw tone, not style alone.

3. Sex Pistols

Jagger’s feud with the Sex Pistols came from their open attacks on older rock. As their fame grew, Johnny Rotten claimed bands like the Stones should move aside, saying the old era was finished. Rotten even suggested the Stones should retire. Jagger laughed at the idea instead of arguing. When asked about Rotten, he replied, “Well, then he should definitely retire next year.” He treated the insult like a joke, not a threat.

Jagger added that Rotten’s criticism was really admiration, saying, “Everything Johnny Rotten says about me is only ’cause he loves me ’cause I’m so good.” The Stones went on to play decades longer, while the Sex Pistols lasted only a few years. To Jagger, the Pistols were loud, but not built to last.

4. The Clash

Unlike other punk acts, Jagger once admired The Clash. He said they stood out, calling them his favorite band from the early scene. He praised their mix of sounds, saying, “They definitely had a dance sensibility, as well as a rock sensibility.” That respect wasn’t common for him during a time when punk bands often criticized older acts. He viewed The Clash as more creative than groups repeating the same formula.

But his opinion changed as years passed. Jagger later said the band no longer felt new, explaining, “I can only see them as repeats of everything that happened before.” He added that he didn’t feel connected to bands still touring, suggesting their work became predictable. It wasn’t hate—it was disappointment from someone who expected more.

5. Herman’s Hermits

Before the Stones became global icons, Herman’s Hermits were actually bigger in the U.S., and the comparison bothered Jagger. The Stones even opened for them, which led to problems backstage. He remembered one show in Philadelphia where the lineup caused arguments, saying that the lead singer complained because “his dressing room wasn’t good enough.” Jagger grew tired of hearing fans connect the two bands.

He said people would walk up while he was eating and ask, “Are you Herman’s Hermits?” It annoyed him deeply because it made the Stones seem like another Beatles-style pop act. In frustration, he recalled telling people, “Fuck you. Herman’s Hermits is shit.” For Jagger, being seen as a copy was worse than being ignored.