Mick Jagger, as lead singer of the Rolling Stones, is one of the most prominent and visible rock stars in all of contemporary music, a position he has held for over 40 years.

Although not primarily known as a harmonica player, Jagger has been a major proponent of the instrument in many ways. He has played it on almost every Rolling Stones album and at every live concert (classic tracks with Jagger on harp include “Midnight Rambler,” “Can't You Hear Me Knocking,” and “The Spider and the Fly”).

But Jagger's larger contribution to making the harmonica a more popular instrument may be his relentless dedication to blues music, and to bringing some of the biggest stars of blues harmonica to play on stage with the Rolling Stones, exposing them to much larger audiences.

Among the harmonica greats to play with the Stones are Little Walter, Sugar Blue, and Junior Wells. Jagger also appeared as a guest artist on harmonica on the first Living Colour album. Junior Wells later paid tribute to Jagger by doing a cover of the Rolling Stones song “Satisfaction.”

Jagger was born in Dartford, England, in 1943. He is still active with the Rolling Stones.