Introduction
Mick Jagger, the legendary frontman of The Rolling Stones, is not known for criticizing fellow artists—unless Keith Richards is nearby stirring the pot. But when it comes to his musical peers, especially icons like Bob Dylan, Jagger often expresses admiration.
In a candid interview conducted years ago in the Netherlands, Jagger shared his thoughts on what it means to age as a performing artist. Naturally, Bob Dylan’s name came up in the conversation.
Jagger praised Dylan for maintaining a strong stage presence despite his age, saying that his performances continued to be engaging and worthwhile.
“[Bob Dylan is] over 60, and I quite like watching his shows,” Jagger noted during the interview. “I think it’s quite fun. And I enjoy watching him performing.”
During the discussion, the interviewer admitted she appreciated Dylan’s artistry but wasn’t a fan of his singing voice. Jagger responded thoughtfully, coming to Dylan’s defense.
“It’s a funny voice, it’s like a voice that’s never been one of the great tenors of our time,” Jagger said. “But it’s got a timbre, a projection, and it’s got a feeling to it.”
He continued by acknowledging how age affects vocal performance: “You were talking earlier about as you get older, that your voice takes on a different resonance, different pitch, and so on. So, there’s something to be said for that.”
While Dylan’s unique voice has often divided listeners, his reputation as one of the most influential singer-songwriters in history remains untouchable. His lyrical genius and storytelling have long overshadowed any debates about vocal tone.
Mick Jagger’s Continued Praise for Dylan
Jagger’s appreciation for Dylan isn’t limited to that one interview. Over the years, he has continued to speak highly of the “Blowin’ in the Wind” artist. In a 2021 interview with The Guardian, Jagger reminisced about discovering Dylan in the early 1960s, when Dylan was primarily viewed as a folk and protest singer.
“I was playing Bob Dylan records at my parents’ house when he was still an acoustic folk singer,” Jagger recalled. “But he was already very important and his lyrics were on point. The delivery isn’t just the words, it’s the accentuation and the moods and twists he puts on them.”
Even as the decades pass, Mick Jagger’s respect for Bob Dylan highlights a rare kind of camaraderie—one built not just on fame, but on a shared reverence for the craft of songwriting and performance. It’s a reminder that artistry isn’t always about perfection, but about connection, feeling, and authenticity.