Mick Jagger Takes On Louisiana Governor at JazzFest and Sparks a Fiery Age Debate!
Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger made headlines during the band’s headlining set at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival when he took a moment to voice his opinion on Louisiana’s newly elected Republican Governor Jeff Landry. Known for his iconic stage presence and timeless music, Jagger didn’t hold back in criticizing Landry for what he considered regressive policies.
During a performance of their classic hit “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” Jagger emphasized the band’s inclusive nature by stating, “We’re an inclusive group. We like to include everyone,” before mentioning Governor Landry’s presence in the audience. With a pointed message, Jagger expressed his disapproval of the governor’s policies, likening them to taking society back to the Stone Age.
While Jagger, at 80 years old, didn’t elaborate further on his comment, Governor Landry, 53, responded humorously by tweeting, “You can’t always get what you want. The only person who might remember the Stone Age is @MickJagger. Love you buddy, you’re always welcome in Louisiana! #LoveMyCountryMusic.”
Following the exchange, Jagger didn’t directly respond to Landry’s tweet but instead shared a photo of the band’s performance at the festival. He also took a moment to thank the festival and special guest Irma Thomas for joining them on stage to perform the 1964 hit “Time Is on My Side,” a song that held a special place in the band’s history.
Reflecting on the collaboration with the New Orleans native, Jagger praised Thomas as the “Soul Queen of New Orleans” and recounted the band’s initial experience with the song that became one of their first hits in America.
The altercation between Jagger and Landry occurred just days after the governor, along with the state’s attorney general, filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration regarding new federal rules aimed at preventing discrimination against students based on their sexual and gender identity. Landry, AG Liz Murrill, and state education secretary Cade Brumley criticized the policy, claiming it violated Title IX, a federal civil rights law that prohibits sex-based discrimination at federally funded schools and programs.
According to reports, Landry and his Republican colleagues argued that Title IX was intended to protect “biological women” from discrimination, rejecting the Biden administration’s directive allowing students to use their preferred pronouns and facilities that correspond with their gender identity.
Despite the political disagreement, both Jagger and Landry maintained a lighthearted tone in their public responses, showcasing respect for each other’s perspectives. Jagger’s outspokenness and commitment to inclusivity, coupled with Landry’s humor and openness, underscore the importance of dialogue and mutual understanding, even across ideological divides.
