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    Mick Jagger Distances Himself From Davos, But Not Capitalism

    By John Hudson | The Atlantic Wire – Wed, Jan 25, 2012
    Mick Jagger Distances Himself From Davos, But Not Capitalism

    Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger ditched the World Economic Forum in Davos Tuesday, fearing his attendance at an event hosted by Britain's Conservative Prime Minister would identify him as a right-winger. Is Mick hiding something?

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    The idea that a once-drug-addled, orgie-friendly '70s libertine is a closet conservative has captured the media's imagination for years. For just about as long, Jagger has tried to tamp down speculation about his politics as he did yesterday. “During my career I have always eschewed party politics and I came to Davos as a guest because I thought it would be stimulating and I have always been interested in economics and world events,” he said in a statement announcing his plans to leave the conference. “I now find myself being used as a political football and there has been a lot of comment about my political allegiances which are inaccurate. I think it is best I decline."

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    At the risk of adding ammo to a political witch hunt, we've collected the biographical tidbits from Jagger's storied life that point to a right-ward bent. While aging rock stars are free to pursue any idealogical persuasion they choose, here's some evidence:

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    Family: Jagger's mother Eve Ensley Mary was a proud member of Britain's Conservative Party, according to his All Music biography. 

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    Education: As liberal professors sometimes warn students, a degree in economics can be a gateway to conservatism. Jagger studied the subject at the London School of Economics after gaining a scholarship following gramar school, according to the BBC. At the time, he said the subject bored him. More recently, however, he has expressed a strong interest in economics as he did in his statement yesterday.

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    Pro-Business, fiscal conservatism: As Forbes writer Andy Serwer wrote in 2002, Jagger's leadership of the Stones is characterized by rampant growth, selling off song rights, aggressively pursuing sponsorships, and hawking merchandise along the way. "The Stones carry no Woodstockesque, antibusiness baggage,’ he wrote. Additionally Zoë Heller in T, The New York Times Style Magazine made a similar case that Jagger was profits-obsessed in 2010. “[Jagger's] beady oversight of the Rolling Stones’ financial affairs has, famously, helped make the band one of the richest in rock ’n’ roll history,” she wrote. “When he is on the road, he has been known to keep a map in his dressing room, indicating the city at which the tour will go into profit.” This was also a subject author Debra Sharon Davis touched on in her book, BackStage Pass VIP: "Jagger was like the young private equity moguls of this era, the money guys," she wrote. "He supervised the Rolling Stones organization -- the toughest CEO, except he trusted no one and was not a delegator. He questioned every purchase. He even concerned himself with the price of pencil sharpeners in the Stones' office. Whatever the price, he thought it was too high. He was obsessed with profits."

     

    2 comments

    • droog
      droog  •  4 mths ago
      1. This is news? Anyone with half a brain who has followed the Stones for any length of time realizes Mick Jagger is VERY into money and VERY into success. This isn't news to anyone. I'd guess that politically Mick is pretty conservative also. I don't think he's conservative socially as far as abortion and Aids and same sex marriage and that type of thing {although who knows? he may be} but I'm pretty sure he's fiscally conservative and would not support anything which would endanger the "status quo" i.e.-him making and keeping bushels of money.1 a. One thing people need to remember though is that the early bands including the Beatles and the Stones {along with alot of the single artists too} were ripped off big time. In about 1969 the Stones were the 2nd biggest Rock'n'Roll band in the world {after the Beatles} and they were virtually broke. They were paying incredibly high taxes in England and they were also being ripped off along with getting lousy contracts. You can imagine how that felt? Here you are the 2nd biggest rock act in the world and in realiy you are NOT rich.............that's when Jagger "took over" and became very serious about the finances and said, "hey, we're going to make as much money as we possibly can. This is #$%$"............The thing is that I think Mick would have done that anyway.2. I loved the Stones especially the Mick Taylor era from about 1969 until 1973. I haven't been that "into" them since then because to tell you the truth I think every band has a certain "shelf life' and I don't think rock'n'rollers are that good after about the age of 31-32. It is a young mans game in my opinion...........as far as relevance. But from about 1965-1973 there was no more avid follower of the Stones than myself. 3. The Stones have never been a particularly charitable band. They aren't a band that goes around giving alot of free concerts and that type of thing. I think Jagger is greedy and Keith is greedy and have thought this for years.............What else is new? Mick is about 68 now. I wonder what he's gonna do with his money? Can he be buried with it? I'm sure he's looked into it. {Just kidding.} I still have a fondness for Jagger though. He lived his life. Can't fault him for that.
    • Jocko
      Jocko  •  4 mths ago
      Mick's filthy rich.. of course he's a conservative... he's gotta be close to being in the 1% of the 1 percenters. I'm sure he'd like to keep it.
     Post a comment
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