June 9, 2002

10:09 AM

Sir Mick - "Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger is to be knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to music, newspapers reported on Sunday." What's the point in knighting old rock stars? What's the point in being a knighted rock star? It probably wasn't even on Her Britannic Majesty's request, but just the result of some silly committee deal.
posted by pracowity (18 comments total)

maybe he'll finally die
posted by Satapher at 10:33 AM on June 9, 2002

I would have preferred if the queen selected Keith Richards. Jagger's only remaining talent is self-parody
posted by BentPenguin at 11:10 AM on June 9, 2002

Damn this place is getting cynical in it's old age ... I'm not a massive fan of The Stones, but I respect that they're still making some music after all these years. And besides his turn in the film 'FreeJack' had to be honoured eventually ...
posted by feelinglistless at 12:16 PM on June 9, 2002

The Royals are trying to ride the good vibe innit. I say, arise, Sir Richard D James!
posted by boneybaloney at 12:51 PM on June 9, 2002

Well, really, this was just so Mick wouldn't feel all out of sorts and crochety when hanging with his peers like Sir Elton and Sir Paul, who were mainly knighted so that they could stop pulling sour faces around Sir Bob Geldof, KBE. Next up, Sir David and since they missed out on Sir George, they'll have to go with Sir Ringo.
posted by Dreama at 1:16 PM on June 9, 2002

What about Sir Elvis? Oh right, he's already the king.
posted by srboisvert at 1:48 PM on June 9, 2002

The passing out of by the crown of this sort of thing has a long history dating at least back to Shakepeare's time, and it is only the celebrity types that put a new wrinkle upon an old piece of nonsense. They (Brits) can knight actorsw (Sir Larry O) but we don't knight Sir Johhny Wayne (or even Wayne Newton)...perhaps that is what brought about the parting of the ways in '76.
posted by Postroad at 2:08 PM on June 9, 2002

Jagger's only remaining talent is self-parody

If the Queen's going to knight such individuals, I believe the same might be said of her.

I like Jagger's music... but a knighthood? Get real!
posted by dissent at 2:30 PM on June 9, 2002

If I was the boss royal, with a Tory government, I would make the suggestion that they establish a precedent that knighthoods be reserved for extraordinarily brave military men, ala the American Medal of Honor.
Imagine the change in England if there was restored an hereditary (and landed) knightly class of warrior!

Well, Meg might have gone for it.
posted by kablam at 5:14 PM on June 9, 2002

"the aim of pop culture is to cheapen everything else to the level of pop culture." - quonsar the nefarious
posted by quonsar at 6:07 PM on June 9, 2002

I hate to break it to some of you but knighthood has been a PR gimmick for as long as I can remember. The question isn't 'why Mick' but 'why not Mick?'
posted by skallas at 8:17 PM on June 9, 2002

The "Honors List", i.e. the annual list of peerages, knighthoods, etc. was taken away from the Crown and given to the PM sometime in the 19th century, and was taken away from the PM and given to committees after Lloyd George went crazy giving them away like candy to all his cronies in exchange for votes or worse. For the majority of the 20th century, the Honors List has been composed by having quasi-stakeholder committees in each of dozens of fields of interest, e.g. popular music, architecture, cinema, business, submit nominations to the PM's office which actually has very little leeway in the final selection. Pretty much, that's why every year there's some actor nominated -- because the actors' committee gets to make a nomination every year.

One may value the honor accordingly, and many do.
posted by dhartung at 10:00 PM on June 9, 2002

But you can't pretend to be a rocker, a role that necessarily has a bit of anarchism at its core, and proudly (or even sheepishly) accept a knighthood. McCartney was always one for the mums as much as the kids, so a Sir Paul is not a contradiction, but there can be no Sir Mick unless Jagger is officially agreeing with the critics that he's finished, retired as a rocker, and ready for Vegas.
posted by pracowity at 10:05 PM on June 9, 2002

Mick Jagger has always had his tongue up the arse of the aristocracy so this is more than fitting.
posted by Summer at 3:05 AM on June 10, 2002

Here is an idea: knighthood is a prize for extraordinary accomplishments. Now I'd like to see who of the present people here can refute Jagger's right to it ...
posted by magullo at 4:22 AM on June 10, 2002

A bit late to the thread, but anyway..

"a list that consisted entirely of those who had lived "hidden lives" would not only be desperately dull: it would also quickly mean that the award of honours would pass each year unnoticed. It is the addition of the Jaggers of this world - assuming he is indeed to be added, and the whole thing isn't some vast practical joke of Alastair Campbell's - which gives the list its sparkle, and, in a funny way, its point. It signals that, in the eyes of the state at least, the unheralded Mr or Ms X stands on a par with a man who has sold countless million records. Remove the likes of Mick Jagger from the system and you destroy the meaning of the honour." (Robert Harris, Telegraph 11-6-02)
posted by wassock at 1:40 PM on June 12, 2002

All the gory details on Sir Mick are here
posted by scotty at 4:18 PM on June 15, 2002

Oh, sure! Knight them all. Judging by the path of pop music, I would have to suppose the New Kids on the Block are next in line for royal real estate considering their contributions to music! Humbug!
posted by Quixoticlife at 7:13 PM on June 15, 2002