The Unseen History: 7 Shocking Secrets About Mick Jagger And David Bowie's Relationship
The enduring mythos of rock and roll’s golden age is perpetually revisited, and as of today, December 19, 2025, the most persistent—and scandalous—story involving two of its biggest titans continues to generate fresh discussion: the complex, competitive, and allegedly intimate relationship between Mick Jagger and David Bowie. Their connection was a perfect storm of talent, ambition, and unrestricted sexuality that defined the 1970s and 1980s music scene.
Far beyond their famous 1985 duet, "Dancing in the Street," the dynamic between The Rolling Stones frontman and the legendary Starman was marked by an intense friendship, professional rivalry, and decades of swirling rumors about a secret affair. New biographies and retrospective accounts continue to shed light on a bond that was, by all measures, one of the most intriguing—and explosive—in music history.
Mick Jagger and David Bowie: A Dual Profile and Timeline
To fully grasp the magnitude of their shared history, one must first appreciate the individual stature of these two icons. They were contemporaries who often moved in the same elite, hedonistic circles of the London and New York rock scenes.
- Mick Jagger (Sir Michael Philip Jagger): Born July 26, 1943, in Dartford, England. Known as the charismatic, pioneering frontman of The Rolling Stones. An alumnus of the London School of Economics, his stage persona was defined by raw, spontaneous energy and a highly sexualized swagger. He collaborated with Bowie on "Dancing in the Street" in 1985.
- David Bowie (David Robert Jones): Born January 8, 1947, in Brixton, London. Known as the "Starman," a master of reinvention whose career spanned glam rock, soul, electronic, and pop. His artistic output was characterized by an unrestricted approach to gender and sexuality, often publicly identifying as bisexual in the 1970s. He passed away on January 10, 2016.
Their paths first intertwined in the early 1970s, a period of massive creative and personal experimentation for both artists. The decade saw Bowie rise to international fame with his Ziggy Stardust persona, while Jagger solidified The Rolling Stones' status as "The World's Greatest Rock and Roll Band."
The Central Rumor: Claims of a Secret Affair
The most sensational and enduring aspect of the Jagger-Bowie dynamic is the persistent claim that their friendship blossomed into a secret love affair. This rumor gained massive traction and continues to be the focus of "new" information derived from controversial biographies and insider accounts.
The Explosive Claims of Angie Bowie
The primary source for the affair rumor is David Bowie’s first wife, Angie Bowie. She has repeatedly claimed to have found the two rock stars naked in bed together at her and David’s London home in the 1970s.
According to Angie's account, she walked into a bedroom one morning and discovered the two men in a compromising position. While the exact details and truth of this specific event remain heavily debated and unverified by Jagger or Bowie publicly, the claim cemented the story in rock and roll folklore. This alleged incident perfectly captured the era's boundary-pushing, sexually fluid atmosphere.
The Controversial Biography’s Revelation
In recent years, the rumor was reignited by the publication of a controversial biography focusing on Mick Jagger. This book explicitly claimed that David Bowie and Mick Jagger were, in fact, lovers. The biography suggested that their relationship was an on-again, off-again fling that spanned the 1970s and 1980s.
The book’s claims further detail that Jagger and Bowie shared a mutual admiration that went beyond professional respect. Jagger, who had studied at the London School of Economics, reportedly admired Bowie's unrestricted sexuality, while Bowie was said to marvel at Jagger's dynamic spontaneity on stage. This intellectual and sexual curiosity reportedly fueled their personal entanglement.
Even after Bowie's passing, Jagger has reflected wistfully on his relationship with Bowie, indicating a deep, complex bond that transcended a simple friendship.
The Professional Collaboration: "Dancing in the Street" (1985)
While the alleged affair dominates the gossip, the most concrete evidence of their partnership is their 1985 musical collaboration: a cover of Martha and the Vandellas' Motown classic, "Dancing in the Street."
This duet was a massive commercial success, becoming a UK No. 1 single. It remains the last UK No. 1 single for David Bowie and the only No. 1 single for Mick Jagger as a solo artist.
The Genesis of the Duet
The song was originally recorded for the Live Aid charity event, though the logistical challenges of having the two superstars perform together across continents (Jagger in Philadelphia, Bowie in London) ultimately led to them recording the studio version and producing a now-iconic music video. The high-energy, somewhat chaotic video—featuring the two stars dancing and mugging for the camera—is a time capsule of 1980s pop culture and a testament to their undeniable, electric chemistry.
The success of "Dancing in the Street" highlighted their ability to merge their distinct styles into a commercially viable product. The track showcased Jagger's raw rock energy alongside Bowie's polished pop sensibility, proving that their competitive friendship could yield tremendous results.
Beyond the Music: Competition, Admiration, and Legacy
The relationship between Jagger and Bowie was a fascinating blend of professional rivalry and mutual admiration. They were two of the most influential figures in rock, constantly pushing boundaries in music, fashion, and performance.
Their competitive spirit often manifested in subtle ways, from fashion choices to musical direction, yet their bond remained strong. They were fellow rock gods who moved in the same social circles, sharing experiences that few others could understand.
The legacy of Mick Jagger and David Bowie’s relationship is a powerful reminder of the fluid and transgressive nature of rock and roll’s golden era. Whether their connection was purely a bromance, an intense creative partnership, or a secret affair, their entanglement ignited a media frenzy that continues to fascinate fans and historians decades later.
Entities and Topical Authority Keywords: The Rolling Stones, Glam Rock, Ziggy Stardust, Martha and the Vandellas, Motown, Live Aid, Philadelphia, London, Princes' Trust Concert, 1970s, 1980s, Unrestricted Sexuality, Keith Haring, London School of Economics, Starman, David Robert Jones, Sir Michael Philip Jagger, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Solo Career, Pop Sensibility.
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