What’s Going On With Paul McCartney and The Rolling Stones?

I’m still a little confused and heartbroken.

In a recent interview for The New Yorker, former Beatle and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Paul McCartney called out fellow Hall members and legends The Rolling Stones.

He said:

“I’m not sure I should say it, but they’re a blues cover band, that’s sort of what the Stones are. I think our net was cast a bit wider than theirs.”

How does one respond to this?

Stones frontman Mick Jagger argued that The Stones are more of a stadium band and the Beatles really didn’t play stadiums. They did, however, at locations such as Shea Stadium in New York, old Comiskey Park in Chicago, and the Hollywood Bowl in L.A.

Furthermore, Jagger said:

“That’s the real big difference between these two bands. One band is unbelievably luckily, still playing in stadiums, and then the other band doesn’t exist.”

I Really Don’t Know How I Feel About This

Both the Beatles and The Stones are undisputedly some of the greatest bands to have ever walked the planet. They were the British Invasion.

They are still major influences even today.

Sure, the Beatles broke up over 50 years ago and The Stones are still selling out major stadiums all over the world, but McCartney and Jagger shouldn’t be arguing with one another.

They have both had their great successes. They’ve also had their darkest moments, including the loss of John Lennon and George Harrison for the Fab Four and most recently, Stones drummer Charlie Watts.

Why are McCartney and Jagger throwing shots?

They should be lifting each other up, not putting each other down. Jagger has claimed there’s no competition between the bands. But after this recent feud, I’m not so sure.

I Stand With Both Bands

Countless music fans have called either band better than the other.

I don’t like competition, nor conflict. Besides, I love both bands equally. They each have inspired me in my own music. Plus, their music is timeless.

Music shouldn’t be about conflict. It should be about the music.

That’s why I love music because no matter who we are or what we listen to, it’s the universal language of the world.

Leaders in the industry like McCartney and Jagger should set a better example for us the fans. Instead of arguing with one another like politicians in a congressional race, they should just be playing the music.

At the end of the day, the music is everything.

Closing Thoughts

Who knows if this argument will continue in the future. I hope not.

I would, however, love to hear what you have to say about this.

Do you think the Beatles or the Stones are better? Which front man do you think is right or wrong? Your insights on this would be awesome.

Until then, long live music.

Without it, it would be difficult to live a great life.

Rock on!

Noah Nelson is a senior at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign majoring in journalism with minors in political science and history. He serves as a senior columnist for The Daily Illini, a writer on Medium and the host of his blog called Nothing But Noah. “Life: A Collection of Short Stories” is his first book available now on Amazon.