The Legendary Rock Band Mick Jagger Accused of Using Satanism for Success

In the ’60s and ’70s, many rocks bands were accused of satanism. Conservative parents shuddered at the idea of their little Tommy or Jill listening to the sexual, brazen, combative, and riotous rock n’ roll–However that didn’t do much to stop the genre’s spread. While many bands were accused of following satan, it was true for almost none of them.

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In fact, several bands tried to run away from that connection, including the Rolling Stones. Mick Jagger once explained how he and his bandmates had no interest in being tied to satan. In doing so, he also accused one of his contemporaries of “making a career” out of Satanism. Find out which band that was, below.

The Band Mick Jagger Accused of Using Satanism for Success

There’s a lady who’s sure all that glitters is gold
And she’s buying a stairway to Heaven

When she gets there she knows, if the stores are all closed
With a word she can get what she came for

The Stones were routinely accused of Satanism. It didn’t help that they had a song titled “Sympathy for the Devil”…While most Stones fans know the actual meaning behind that song (you learn more about that, HERE), casual listeners would be forgiven for thinking it is a declaration of servitude.

“What I’m saying is, it wasn’t what I meant by the song ‘Sympathy for the Devil,” Jagger once explained. “If you read it, it’s not about black magic, per se.”

While the Stones shied away from the Satanism accusation, he felt his peers didn’t do enough to put it to rest. Despite one of their most famous songs being titled “Stairway to Heaven,” Mick Jagger felt Led Zeppelin was one of the band’s leaning on satanism.

“The satanic-imagery stuff was very overplayed [by journalists],” Jagger added. We didn’t want to really go down that road. And I felt that song was enough. You didn’t want to make a career out of it. But bands did that – Jimmy Page, for instance.”

Though that was the extent of his comments, it is a damning accusation. If the Stones hated the Satanism rumor, accusing someone else of playing into it doesn’t exactly scream reverence. Revisit “Stairway to Heaven,” below.

Ooh, ooh, and she’s buying a stairway to Heaven

There’s a sign on the wall, but she wants to be sure
‘Cause you know sometimes words have two meanings

(Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)