Mick Jagger Reveals His Relationship with His 'Rival', David Bowie

Mick Jagger - David Bowie (Ist)

JAKARTA - Mick Jagger revealed a secret about himself who was a "secret" rival for David Bowie and John Lennon. In a recent interview with Conan O'Brien on the Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend podcast, the lead singer of The Rolling Stones opened up about his relationship with both music legends.

The two legends, Jagger and Bowie, began to get close while living in New York in the 80s, which eventually gave birth to their classic collaborative single, "Dancing In The Street" (1985). In addition, their careers also developed in their respective paths, with an increasing number of listeners.

Conan O'Brien then recalled Jagger's past statement that he and Bowie were "competitive but remained good friends".

"Yes, we are competitive. David is much more competitive than me. It was David who made me competitive. He is so competitive that I have to be competitive too," Mick Jagger said, quoting NME, July 14.

Jagger also revealed an interesting opinion about his 'rival'. He said Bowie was not a static figure, he often changed over time.

"There is no one David Bowie. What exists is David Bowie who continues to evolve slowly, then suddenly jumps into another style," he said. For example, when working on "The Jean Genie" (1972), Bowie's style is said to be very thick with the Rolling Stones feel.

"Oh my God, you stole all my gayness." Bowie didn't deny it. "Yes, I know, but just think of it as a tribute to you," Bowie replied at the time.

On John Lennon, Jagger admitted he was "very competitive", though in a different way than his relationship with Bowie.

"But we are more competitive in terms of sarcasm, a kind of verbal competition," he explained.

He then alluded to the famous video of Lennon and Bob Dylan sitting together in a taxi in a daze in 1966. According to Jagger, that moment showed Lennon's most sarcastic side towards Dylan. However, said Jagger, Lennon was actually a figure who "could be very fun", only that he quickly caught that his interlocutor was saying something ridiculous. Jagger called this attitude a "typical Liverpool habit".

In another part of the conversation, Jagger expressed his regret for never meeting Elvis Presley, all because of Lennon's advice. "I remember John saying, 'Never meet your idols. I myself would never meet Elvis if I were you, Mick.' And I followed John's advice," Mick Jagger concluded.