EXCLUSIVE
A GLOBAL music superstar ‘performed’ a Whit Friday solo spot in Greenfield to the most select of audiences.
And the Independent can now confirm rumours of a visit to Saddleworth by Rolling Stones frontman, Sir Mick Jagger, are true.
Together with partner Melanie Hamrick and five-year-old son Deveraux, Mick visited St Mary’s Church where his grandfather, David Jagger, was organist for more than 20 years.
Asked by Reverend Barbara Christopher whether the skill ran in the family, Mick, 78, sat down with Deveraux in front of the restored instrument.
“It was lovely to see,” said Reverend Christopher. “He has obviously played on a keyboard before and certainly got some tunes out of it. It was a lovely experience.
“I have never really been a Stones fan but even now I am still a little starstruck. Mick was quite quiet but very charming.
“They must have been with us for 30-40 minutes before they asked where they could go on the moors for a walk.”
Before concluding their whistlestop tour, Mick and his family were also shown the brass plaque in church to commemorate his grandfather’s Greenfield association.
It is also understood they went down to Chew Valley Road to see the house where David, also headmaster of St Mary’s C of E Primary School, lived during his stay in the village.
David’s second son, Basil – Mick’s father – was enrolled at St Mary’s School and is said to have excelled at all sports, including gymnastics.
As a headmaster, David was described as “patient and progressive”. Basil, who went on to be known as Joe, attended Oldham Hulme Grammar and also became a teacher.
Mick happily posed for photographs and signed an autograph for church warden Brian Greenwood’s daughter.
The visit, as might be expected of someone of Jagger’s fame, was hush-hush and last minute.
The previous night the Stones had played a concert at Anfield-the band’s first Liverpool show in a half century.
Reverend Christopher was processing in the village Whit Walks when initially approached on Chew Vale and canvassed about the idea.
“A young man said he worked at a hotel in Manchester and that Mick Jagger was interested in coming to look at the church and would it be possible,” she explained.
“I obviously thought it was a wind-up at first but then I spoke to someone else from the hotel and realised it was genuine. We had to keep it secret.
“They arrived about 4pm in a chauffeur driven Mercedes limo accompanied by at least one minder. Myself and Brian were there to welcome them all.
“Whit Friday was so special this year after missing the previous two years due to Covid. But this made it extra special.”
His grandad was helping his friend out at the shop my father bought now St Mary’s charity shop
Mick I have been a lifelong fan since I was 16 am now 76 and recently saw you at Anfield and you were amazing. Would it be possible for you to send me an certified autograph of you all please? I loved the video of your son. I have never seen a child look so like his father, at such a young age, and the moves also wow……..
I hope you do manage to your again and I am still on this earth to come and watch. Hope you look favourably on my request.
My name is gill osgood (nee Barrett) address is 39 Tudor Walk Leatherhead surrey KT22 7HX email ronaldosgood24@gmail.com
Thankyou
I think it was great of him to get to visit the church of his grandfather with his son
Great of Mick to pay a visit to his granddad’s old stomping ground, I just hope he didn’t bash out Sympathy for the Devil on the organ!!!
Mick is so much more than the showman everyone loves, adores, and always respected bij his pears. He is a great dad and a sensible rocker
Great memories of seeing you at Old Trafford in 2017 with my sister ,who has now passed away .
Life long fans.
Kath Cox xx
I live in Huddersfield, just over the border in Gods county. I have been a Stones fan for 59 years, after hearing their first album. I’m sure everyone in the Greenfield area, to be made aware about the Jagger family connections are over the moon. But I don’t want to take anything away from the excitement of having Mick and his family in your midst, but it made me think that if Basil hadn’t moved away……no meeting of Mick and Keith at Dartford station!!!!!!. Its unthinkable……IORR….
We’ve seen the Stones three times: Paris, Manchester and now Liverpool. Each time they got better. The World’s greatest rock and roll band..
My Dad and his 2 sisters were at St. Mary’s school when David Jagger was headmaster. I have a couple photographs,with them on, including Mr Jagger.
Apparently one of my aunties dated Basil, presumably in their teens. It just occurred to me if the relationship had lasted would have been cousins (though obviously not the same person)