Sir Mick Jagger, 80, gushes over his ‘supportive’ family and discusses going public with his romance with girlfriend Melanie Hamrick, 36

Sir Mick Jagger has raved about his ‘supportive’ family as the Rolling Stones prepare to release their first all-original album in 18 years.

The 80-year-old musician is the father of eight children, ranging from six to 52 years old, and he claims it makes him feel ‘relevant’.

During an interview with WSJ. Magazine he said: ‘I have a really wonderful family who support me. And I have young children, that gives you the feeling that you are relevant.’

Jagger then discussed going public with his romance with current girlfriend Melanie Hamrick, 36, who he has been dating since 2014 and shares son Deveraux, six.

As someone whose life has been public for 60 years, Jagger admitted that he still wants to keep some things private.

Family: The musician, 80, is the father of eight children ranging from six to 52 years old, and he claims it makes him feel ‘relevant’

He explained: ‘It’s just a fact of life. But there are boundaries I like to have.

‘People were posting things and everyone was like, whatever girl you’re next to… ‘Is that your new girlfriend?’ You know. But everyone knows now.’

In the new photoshoot, Jagger looked dapper in a silver patterned satin shirt paired with light blue trousers.

The Rockstar further discussed what The Rolling Stone was have in common with Taylor Swift, who previously performed on stage together in 2013.

He opened up the fight for financial control over the band’s music, which they took on in the early 1970s.

Jagger added: “The industry was so emerging that it didn’t have the support and the number of people available to be able to advise you like they do now,” Jagger said. “But you know what, it still happens. I mean, look what happened to Taylor Swift! I don’t know much about it, but she clearly wasn’t happy about it.’

It comes after the band sent fans wild when they confirmed they will return to the music scene with their first album of new material in 18 years.

Sir Mick, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood reunited at a special live event for their new album Hackney Diamonds, their first since the death of drummer Charlie.

The rock band confirmed that a series of big stars have collaborated on their album, including Lady Gaga and Stevie Wonder.

Couple: Jagger then discussed making his romance public with current girlfriend Melanie Hamrick, 36, who he has been dating since 2014 and shares son Deveraux, six, with

He said: ‘People were posting things and everyone was like, whatever girl you’re next to… ‘Is that your new girlfriend?’ You know. But everyone knows now.’

Dashing: In the new photoshoot, Jagger looked dapper in a silver satin patterned shirt paired with light blue trousers

And Sir Mick also revealed exactly how their decision to work with Lady Gaga, 37, came about, saying it was a fairly spontaneous collaboration.

He talked about how Lady Gaga was recording her own music in a studio next door while they were in Los Angeles and just stopped by to say hello.

But the singer then ended up on their new song Sweet Sound of Heaven when she spontaneously started singing with Sir Mick.

“She walked in next to me and we started singing together,” Jagger told AP backstage. “She sang it live and then we went in to clean it up a bit.”

The new album, recorded in December and January in studios around the world, sees the Stones team up with Grammy-winning producer Andrew Watt, who helped curate the star-studded roster, which also includes former Stone Bill Wyman.

Bill was part of the band’s first stable line-up, performing on their first 19 albums, and now returns for Hackney Diamonds.

Sir Mick said of Bill’s involvement: ‘We asked Bill to come in and play one song so we have the original line-up on one song.’

Pals: The Rockstar further discussed what The Rolling Stone have in common with Taylor Swift, who previously shared the stage together in 2013

On the star-studded guest list, The Rolling Stones also enlisted actress Sydney Sweeney to star in the music video for the album’s lead single Angry.

In the video, the Euphoria star, 25, gave a sizzling performance as she donned a leather crop top and matching skimpy shorts.

In the video, directed by Francois Rousselet, Sydney reenacts the lyrics of the single as she performs a series of dance moves in the back of a car driving through Los Angeles.

This article appears in the October 2023 issue of WSJ Magazine, available Saturday, October 7