There will always be a conflict between the old and new schools of rock and roll. Even if artists have spent years honing their craft to become household names in music. But it’s only a matter of time before newcomers take over the genre you once pioneered. The Rolling Stones had moved on from their blues-infused roots by the early 1980s. But Mick Jagger had no time for the newcomers when he heard ‘Relax’ for the first time.
If it hadn’t been for Jagger’s foresight, The Stones would most likely have continued to play bluesy rock for the rest of their lives. Compared to their sound during the British invasion, Jagger was always willing to experiment with whatever kind of music was popular at the time. It was from psychedelic rock on Their Satanic Majesties Request to Baroque Pop on Between the Buttons.
While they may have gained a reputation for washing, rinsing, and doing the same things as the Beatles, Jagger had far more ambitious plans. By the time their Liverpool rivals had split up, Jagger had already begun to branch out. He paved the way for grunge rock on Exile on Main St. And he became more in tune with the blues he had grown up listening to.
Keith Richards would have happily played rock and roll for the rest of his life, so Mick Jagger was the one who incorporated modern elements into their sound. Years before, MTV had become a fixture on television around the world. Jagger brought the concept of rock and roll into the clubs. He turned the song ‘Miss You’ into one of the few disco-tinged classic rock songs that didn’t make fans want to cringe.
When MTV began to produce chart successes of its own, Frankie Goes to Hollywood was ideal fodder for the visual medium. ‘Relax‘, produced by Buggles frontman Trevor Horn, was the first song to get their foot in the door. It created an enormous wall of sound every time it aired on radio and television.
Bands are only as good as their live performances, and Jagger had some specific complaints about the band’s stage show. Whereas Jagger sauntered around the stage at every opportunity. He saw nothing but posturing when Holly Johnson began making his way into the world’s largest stadiums.
When asked about the band at the height of their popularity, Mick Jagger did not mince words, saying, “I think it’s garbage. Onstage, they are the worst act I’ve ever seen. I went to see them at the Ritz, and they were terrible, and they knew it. The guy on stage was just in tears. I don’t blame him—he sang so out of tune. And everything is pre-recorded; it is all a backing track. “I think it is a joke.”
Despite the tongue-lashing from one of rock’s finest, the pop idols gained even more momentum as the decade progressed. He achieved a few more hits before the band disbanded and Johnson went solo. The Stones may still be able to deliver to the best of their ability whenever they play live. But Frankie Goes to Hollywood wasn’t as concerned with musicianship onstage. It was about having a good time. And even if they didn’t play everything, you weren’t going to forget them once you saw them.
