The one quality fans crave most from their favorite artists is authenticity. While raw musicianship can fill seats with pop fans, connecting with listeners on a deeper level requires vulnerability—artists must open themselves up and dare to be loved in return.
It took Pink Floyd years to master this balance, but according to David Gilmour, Mick Jagger faced a much tougher battle being genuine these days.
Maintaining credibility after hitting it big is no easy feat. The connection between an artist and their audience often comes from shared experiences. When you’re living in a mansion, counting your millions, and being waited on, it’s much harder to relate to the blue-collar worker punching in for a nine-to-five grind.
However, Pink Floyd’s appeal has never been tied to everyday life. Their music speaks to universal truths. Even if someone doesn’t enjoy the sound, the themes of tracks like “Time” resonate with listeners across generations.
For Mick Jagger, it’s been a different story. Over the years, he has often led The Rolling Stones to embrace whatever trend was in vogue. Whether dabbling in disco on “Miss You” or trying out dance music with David Bowie on their cover of “Dancing in the Street,” Jagger has masterfully played the pop star, much to the frustration of Keith Richards, who has always been more interested in playing gritty rock and roll.
While some of the results have been fantastic, it’s easy to see why Richards might have taken issue. Even when Jagger sings country-tinged tracks like “Dead Flowers,” it’s hard to take him seriously when it feels like he’s doing a tongue-in-cheek impersonation of a Southerner.
Gilmour, whose band Pink Floyd reached similar heights as The Stones, observed that Jagger’s artistic choices have left him in a world of his own.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Gilmour remarked, “Mick doesn’t know how to open up and be honest anymore. He’s been a Rolling Stone for so long. He’s been Mick Jagger for so long. Pink Floyd aren’t quite the same.”
One of the reasons Gilmour believes Pink Floyd has avoided the pitfalls of stardom is their faceless approach. Even with numerous iconic hits, the band members have remained comfortable in the background, letting the music speak for itself.
In the end, comparing The Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd comes down to understanding two vastly different artistic mindsets. The Stones remain a quintessential blues rock band, still active today, while Pink Floyd has always aimed to expand minds and push boundaries with their music.
