This is a great read. Whether Mick Jagger wrote it, or the story about him sending it is true – who knows? Whoever wrote it it’s compelling and believable.
I see it’s dated 2010 – has anyone seen it before? Maybe we have discussed this before? I think I’d remember though.
Absolutely fascinating read, thanks for posting. I hope it is real. Whether true or not, it certainly seems to contain a lot of truths.
It was the biggest load of bollocks that I will read today, this week, this month, this year, ever?
Sorry @Mousey, I don’t want to appear negative but I don’t think Jagger wrote that.
Fair enough, I have my doubts too. But why is it such a load of bollocks? So much of it reads true (to me, anyway, and I’m a huge Keef fan)
That was just my opinion about the piece Mousey. As others here have pointed out the authenticity was given away early on, after that it was just a rehash of stories often told.
I think it’s fake.
For me there are two massive clues very early on, at which point I stopped reading.
Mick allegedly wrote: We had known each other in grade school, if you can believe it, in the same undistinguished eastern suburb.
Two things there: 1) Mick would have written primary not grade school and 2) he wouldn’t have referred to Dartford as an eastern suburb as Dartford is a town in its own right, not a suburb of London, which I think the writer is erroneously assuming.
I think you’re right. But isn’t it bizarre that someone (and clearly an intelligent someone at that) took the time to write all that? Talk about too much free time!
Yes I raised an eyebrow at “grade school” – totally an American phrase.
He does have children who attended American schools.
Also the use of the phrase “ducats”.
Defined as:
(a) a gold coin formerly used in European countries
or
(b) North American a ticket
Still a good read though (in a “What If” perspective) even if the authorship, and receipt of manuscript, is patently questionable and/or laughable
Am I being dense or is there any doubt that this an ‘imagine what would happen if …’ piece, and as good as tells you so in the opening words?
Well, the idea that a manuscript intended for Bill Wyman the Stones bassist, somehow ended up with Bill Wyman the rock journalist by mistake is clearly absurd! Even so, as a spoof, it’s quite brilliant and skewers Keith mercilessly, and savagely. No way Mick would write that well either or with such insight. I do think he knows and understands what they became and what they once were but not that he accepts the critical verdict on the back catalogue so completely, among other things.
Sending something by UPS requires the package to be addressed, not just bear the name of the recipient. How can something sent to Rolling Stone Bill Wyman at such-and-such an address get delivered to journo Bill Wyman at another address? It can’t. So unless the two Bills were sharing the exact same address, the one couldn’t open the mail of the other. And as Gatz says, the piece tells you what it is in the first paragraph. And Carl is on the money about grade school and Dartford. I don’t think we can ignore the fact that Bizarro Bill is a professional writer, either. The piece is well-written, perceptive, and very likely true in everything but authorship. Great stuff.
“Very likely true in everything in everything but authorship”.
Well said Mr S. You should write yourself you know…
he knows too much
This was discussed a lot when it appeared at about the same time Life came out. It was debunked at the time.
We’re having fun redebunking it.
So @Podicle where was it discussed? Not here as I recall.
In de bunker?
I’m struggling to understand the motive for writing this (whoever it was, and it seems it wasn’t Jagger). It is a good read though, and is pretty spot on!
I was talking recently with a musician who (briefly) worked with them on the Steel Wheels album and he told me that Mick was the first in and last out of every session, totally managing the whole enterprise. The rest just came in, did their bit, and went home.
That’s be the fiddle player, Nigel, am i right?
Indeedydoody…!
I have a recollection of a discussion many moons ago and a prevailing view that Mick didn’t write it.
…and further Americanisation in the piece by removing the “u” in many of the words that should have one.
He didn’t write it.
Yes, I think we’ve established that, but it’s still a good read and what’s funny is it makes me want read Keef’s book even less than I did before
I thought Keith’s book was pretty funny myself.
I love Keith but gave up on the book after about 100 pages, still better than Townshend’s terrible effort. Not sure rock stars should write books