When David Bowie pulled off a hilarious Mick Jagger impression during classic Parkinson interview

21 August 2023, 16:38

Mick Jagger has to be one of the most impersonated singers in rock history.

The Rolling Stones singer's natural flair and flamboyance on stage have seen his many dance moves replicated over the years by fans, friends, and future artists.

He was the consummate showman, and has remained so throughout his entire career fronting the legendary band, even after sixty years into their tenure.

Mick Jagger's distinctly British, nasal, and laidback manner of both talking and singing made him an immediate music icon, but also an easy target for parody.

Likewise, David Bowie was also an artist with a distinct visual aesthetic and imitable voice, who was no doubt inspired by Mick having seen him early in his career.

• Mick Jagger and David Bowie dancing to the end theme of Bottom is as amazing as it sounds
• Remembering Marc Bolan's duet with David Bowie in final performance before his tragic death only days later
• Statues of Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger and Keith Richard unveiled in their hometown of Dartford
• David Bowie's lightning bolt logo: Who designed the pop legend's iconic symbol?

The pair eventually worked together on a duet in 1985, covering Martha and the Vandellas' original 1964 hit 'Dancing In The Street', and remained great friends from then onwards.

So when Bowie recalled the first time he ever saw The Rolling Stones, way back when in 1963, he delivered his anecdote with a hefty dose of humour that we've come to know from the late rock legend.

On a now-classic Michael Parkinson interview with Bowie from 2002, he offered up an uncanny impression of his rock 'n' roll pal which had the audience in stitches.

Michael 'Parky' Parkinson sadly passed away aged 88 on 16th August 2023, and since the legendary interviewer has passed, numerous classic interviews of his are coming out of the woodwork.

One of the most fondly remembered was his 2002 interview with David Bowie, mainly because it offered him a more human side to the chameleonic musician.

But it would also turn out to be one of the star's final high-profile appearances on UK television before he died in 2016.

Appearing on the show alongside Hollywood superstar Tom Hanks, Bowie didn't take long before he was cracking jokes during his interview.

He detailed the first time he ever encountered Mick Jagger performing with The Rolling Stones, which was in 1963 supporting rock 'n' roll pioneer Little Richard at Brixton Odeon.

Recalling the show to the eagerly awaiting Parkinson audience, Bowie remembered: "The Rolling Stones were opening up for him [Little Richard], it was the first time I ever saw them. They weren't really very well known."

"There were about six kids who rushed to the front. That was their fan base at the time. Everybody was there for Little Richard. I think Bo Diddley was on the show, and all that," he continued.

"It was priceless… I had never seen anything so rebellious in my life. A guy yelled out, ‘Get your haircut!'".

Bowie then brings out his best Jagger impersonation and quips: "And Mick says - and I'll never forget these words - 'And what? And look like you?!'"

• Michael Parkinson's greatest music interviews: Paul McCartney, David Bowie and more
• TV chat show icon Michael Parkinson dies, aged 88
• Why David Bowie turned down A View To A Kill villain role opposite Roger Moore's James Bond
• "Why did you kill Ziggy?!" The story of David Bowie’s final show as Ziggy Stardust

Now fans of both Bowie and Parkinson are sharing the hilarious clip, alongside their tributes to both stars who are no longer with us.

Despite their long-term friendship, Mick Jagger had regrets over how his relationship with Bowie petered out towards the end of his life.

Though they never fell out, after David's well-documented health issues, he retired from the public spotlight which also meant the opportunities to get together were few and far between.

After Bowie's death in 2016, Mick said: "I know David stopped touring around 2004 after having some health problems.

"After that, he kind of vanished, both from my life and the stage, so to speak, until he came back with an album that was a very interesting piece," either referring to his surprise 2013 album The Next Day, or his lauded final work Blackstar which was released only two days before his death.

The Rolling Stones legend added: "It’s really sad when somebody leaves and you haven’t spoken to them for a long while."

"You wish you’d done this; you wish you’d done that. But that’s what happens. Strange things happen in life."