You Can't Always Get What You Want

According to a BBC documentary, Mick Jagger was the target of a bungled assasination attempt by the Hells Angels in 1970. Apparently the Angels, who were hired to handle security for the Stones's free 1969 concert at Altamont speedway (good idea), were miffed that Jagger had sworn never to use their services again after an Angel stabbed and killed a concertgoer named James Meredith only feet from the stage as the Stones performed "Under My Thumb." The incident was famously captured in the greatest rock film of all time, Gimme Shelter.

YouTube: The Rolling Stones, "Under My Thumb," Gimme Shelter

The Angels' hare-brained attempt at revenge is almost too bizarre to be believed. Knowing that Jagger was staying at his home in the Hamptons, the bitter bikers plotted to "off" the large-lipped lothario by entering his beachfront compound by boat, Normandy-style, so as to avoid security.

But while the Angels were cowboys on the steel horses they ride, on water they were Nancy boys. A storm brewed while they were at sea; the Angels were thrown overboard. Unfortunately, they all survived.

The foiled caper brings to mind the recent short-lived ABC sitcom The Knights of Prosperity, wherein a bunch of losers launch an equally ridiculous plan to extort Jagger - except those goons actually made it into Jagger's place of residence.

All of us at Rock Turtleneck are thankful that Sir Michael was spared the wrath of the Hells Angels, for he stuck around to make Sticky Fingers, Exile on Main St., Some Girls and a host of other classics. In celebration of the Angels incompetence, some classic post-Angels-Assassination-Attempt Jagger. Cheers, Sir Michael.

YouTube: The Rolling Stones, "Loving Cup" 1972 Exile on Main St. Tour Rehearsal, Montreaux


YouTube: The Rolling Stones, "Hot Stuff," Black & Blue


YouTube: The Rolling Stones, "Far Away Eyes," Some Girls


YouTube: The Rolling Stones, "Dead Flowers," Sticky Fingers, 1971


YouTube: Peter Tosh & Mick Jagger, "Walk & Don't Look Back," 1978