Last updated on: October 20, 2024

Basil Fanshawe Jagger was nicknamed by his friends as “Joe” Jagger. He is the father of rock star Mick Jagger. As Mick grew up to become one of the most in-demand musicians around the world, his father lived a rather quiet life. Basil was a teacher and taught Mick by example to be stern and disciplined; this forms an important part of the early life of Mick Jagger. Here’s a closer look at who Basil was, how he presented himself in Mick’s life, and how his influence was felt on the family.

Early Life and Career

Basil Jagger was born on July 24, 1913, at Dartford, Kent in England. Coming from a working-class family, he later became a distinguished physical education teacher. His contribution to teaching reflected the values that he assumed were part of discipline and hard work. He had been attached to the British Army during World War II and probably built up such values through an experience like this.

After the war, he got back into teaching and remained keen on health and fitness, teaching his children these values. He was especially keen on instilling this in his son Mick, who inherited not only an aptitude for fitness but also a robust work ethic.

Marriage and Family Life

Basil married Eva Ensley Mary in 1940. Eva was a hairdresser, and she also served as a member of the Conservative Party in Dartford, Kent. Both of them established a quite stable family life, in which two sons were born—Mick Jagger, in 1943, and Chris Jagger, in 1947.

Even though Mick was destined to have a life full of glory and excitement, Basil and Eva were more traditional. They believed in education, responsibility, and hard work. It was through these values that they lived and interacted with their child.

Life with Mick Jagger

Basil had a big influence on Mick Jagger’s early years. As a teacher, Basil believed in the edification and disciplining of a child. He urged Mick to become a good student, expecting him to be a more traditional-college-bound student. So he even enrolled in the excellent London School of Economics for a brief time before deciding to study music seriously and jettison the idea of college. Though Basil may have worried about it at first, he came to understand Mick’s decision once he became successful.

This consciousness will explain the disciplined approach Mick took to the performance itself, even his workouts. Even though he became a famous frontman with the Rolling Stones, he never lost the fitness regime imposed by his father upon him as a child.

Eva Ensley Mary Jagger – Mick’s Mother

While Basil was the tough disciplinarian, a contrasting figure in Mick’s life was his mother, Eva. She was affectionate and warm and tended more to influence in a softer tone as opposed to Basil’s hard approach. She was indeed proud of her son’s achievements, but his lifestyle as a rock star was far away from what she had ever expected of him being.

The political activity of Eva during the period she was a member of the Conservative Party of Dartford also bore some influence over the Jagger family. Although Mick’s vocation was far removed from that, the work ethic and commitment remained intact.

READ ALSO: Mick Jagger Net worth, Age, Girlfriend, Family, Facts & More

Late years of Basil Jagger

As Mick’s celebrity status mushroomed, Basil’s ways of maintaining a good relationship while living far away only grew. He pursued his teaching profession as well as ongoing commitment to life in his hometown; he did not live to see the bright lights of Hollywood surround his son, but his bond remained strong with Mick. Basil would be proud of everything that was happening to his child.

Basil lived over 93 years long and peacefully passed away in 2006. Though his life was amazingly different from that of Mick, love and respect reflected the nuances of father and son relationship. Out of Basil, a heritage of a disciple and dedication, and care for family, echoes since then in Jagger family.

Basil’s Legacy in Jagger Family

It didn’t stop there. His third and youngest son, Chris Jagger, also became a musician, emulating his elder brother. Although he never achieved the success accrued by his brother, he persisted in composing music. Such a family would indeed support him with a balance between discipline and creativity.

Some of Basil’s legacy shines through in children Mick Jagger had for himself. Of course, some kind of lesson that has been hammered into Mick about his trade and disciplined lifestyle have passed down to their offspring. Maybe it’s no coincidence that Mick’s children Georgia May Jagger, Jade Jagger, and James Jagger have followed in meaningful careers with fashion, design, and acting. Grandfather Basil would’ve appreciated such purpose and drive.

Source: celebs.infoseemedia.com