In a rare and moving gesture of admiration, Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger has written a powerful open letter to Angus Young and the entire AC/DC band-Giving strong…
The letter, published on his official website and shared across social media, offers an intimate, impassioned tribute to the Australian hard rock legends, reflecting on their musical legacy, unwavering energy, and shared brotherhood in rock and roll.
Titled “To Angus, and the Thunder That Still Rolls,” Jagger’s letter arrives as AC/DC storms across the globe with their “Power Up: Live” world tour—a triumphant return that has reignited fan devotion and reminded the world why AC/DC remains one of the most electrifying live acts in music history.
Jagger’s Words: A Rare Rock Salute
“Dear Angus, and to all the mighty men of AC/DC,” the letter begins. “There are few things more enduring in this wild business than the thundering chord that signals your arrival on stage. Every time I hear it, I feel the same jolt I did decades ago—pure, unfiltered adrenaline. That’s not nostalgia. That’s power.”
Jagger goes on to reflect on the first time he saw AC/DC live in the late ’70s, recalling how their high-voltage sound “split the night wide open” and “lit up the crowd like a fuse.” He praised the band’s refusal to compromise or chase trends, instead carving a path through the rock landscape with “guts, grit, and guitars.”
From One Icon to Another
The open letter reads not only as a tribute, but also as a rare look into the kinship between two of the most iconic bands in history—the Rolling Stones and AC/DC. Both have survived decades in the ever-changing music industry, weathering loss, scandal, and reinvention without losing their core identity.
Jagger praises Angus Young specifically, calling him “a whirlwind of blues, fire, and fury” and “one of the most unforgettable performers to ever wield a six-string.” He jokes, “I’ve strutted a few stages in my time, but even I can’t compete with you duck-walking in a schoolboy outfit under a rain of sparks.”
Remembering the Fallen
In a particularly touching section, Jagger honors late AC/DC co-founder Malcolm Young and former lead singer Bon Scott. “You didn’t just lose bandmates—you lost brothers. And yet, you kept the train rolling, louder than ever. You honored them by playing on, by staying true.”
He continues: “That’s something only those of us who’ve lost people on the road truly understand. It’s not just the music. It’s the memories, the scars, and the silence between the chords.”
A Personal Challenge—and a Proposal
One of the most exciting parts of the letter comes when Jagger floats a wild idea: “If there’s ever a stage big enough, loud enough, and wild enough—I say we do it. One night. One song. Stones and AC/DC. Let’s blow the roof off.”
While neither camp has confirmed plans for such a collaboration, fans immediately erupted online, fantasizing about a once-in-a-lifetime performance featuring two of rock’s most enduring forces.
Rock and Roll’s Enduring Flame
Jagger closes the letter with a nod to the genre that both bands have fought to preserve: “You’ve never chased the pop wave. You are the wave. And in a world that sometimes forgets the thrill of real rock and roll, you remind us all of what it means to plug in, turn up, and let go.”
He signs off:
“With loud respect, eternal applause, and a whole lot of love—
Mick.”
Global Reaction: “This Is What Legends Do”
The open letter has gone viral, with fans and fellow musicians alike praising the heartfelt tone and mutual respect between the two bands. AC/DC has not yet issued a public response, but Angus Young was reportedly grinning backstage when asked about the letter at their most recent tour stop in Munich.
“You never know with Mick,” a close source said. “He’s still full of surprises.”
For fans, the exchange is a rare treat—a glimpse into the genuine camaraderie that exists behind the curtain of rock stardom. In an industry often driven by rivalry, Mick Jagger’s open letter reminds the world that the greatest icons are often each other’s biggest fans.
And if fate delivers on Jagger’s bold proposal, the world might yet witness a night when the Stones and AC/DC share a stage—turning admiration into amplification, and history into thunder.