Mick Jagger is really "very different from what people think and what, different from what you might expect." So says author Philip Norman in his newly published biography of The Rolling Stones front-man. His most interesting discoveries involve the young Jagger, who was "not sure he could go into the spotlight as the iconic feature we now know." Having written an earlier book on the Stones, Norman admits the additional research he continued led to him changing his opinion of Mick -- Norman finds a lot "that's rather endearing" and "a much more interesting psychological study." He also shows how Jagger overcame the press's initial criticism of the band's scruffy image -- how they overcame their image of being the anti-Christ.

Phillip Norman on why you should buy his book on Mick Jagger: "Almost everyone seems to be fascinated by Mick Jagger. But all they know really is the public Mick Jagger -- the image of the front-man of The Rolling Stones for all these years. The real Mick Jagger is something very different -- very different from what people think and what, different from what you might expect."

The book clears up misconceptions concerning the tragedy-scarred Altamont festival -- even disproving the allegation they played "Sympathy for the Devil" as a concertgoer was being stabbed to death by a Hell's Angels member. Norman also reviews the songwriting partnership of Mick and Keith Richards, and the various marriages and relationships over the course of Jagger's nearly 50 years in the public eye, his stormy relations with manager Andrew Loog Oldham and even finds generosity in a musician many people considered money-crazed.

Phillip Norman on Mick Jagger's distinctive singing voice: "It's a kind of fakeness that becomes its own uniqueness. You know, he's been singing in this ridiculous, sort of, parody of a Southern American accent for all these years. And now, it's kind of, it's a natural treasure this ridiculous voice. But it's like a cross between Blance Dubois from Streetcar Named Desire, and the maid that used to chase Tom and Jerry with the mop.

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