KFRC 610 Radio reporters Mike Sugerman (L) and Vicki Liviakis in 1981; Mick Jagger in 1981. (Mike Sugerman/AFP/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – The Rolling Stones are in town this week, maybe for the last time. For fans, it’s a chance to revel in the band’s legendary music. For me, it’s a chance to bury the hatchet with Mick Jagger.
32 years ago as a cub reporter, I spotted the Rolling Stones front man eating lunch at a restaurant in San Francisco, not far from the radio station where I worked at the time. Jagger was in town for the Stones’ 1981 tour and was eating lunch with a woman who was not his wife.
So, as the young, obnoxious reporter I was, I grabbed a microphone, pressed record on the tape deck, and approached.
“Go away,” Jagger told me. But I didn’t.
So, he grabbed my glasses. On the tape, you can hear the exchange we had.
“Can I have my glasses?” I said.
“If you go you can,” Jagger responded.
“Okay,” I said. “I promise.”
“Or I’ll break them,” said Jagger.
“Don’t break them,” I said. “I’m doing my job, you know what I mean?”
“Go do your job somewhere else,” Jagger responded.
“Okay, okay,” I said. “You’re a hell of a guy, eating your salmon.”
“Do you want me to throw you out of this restaurant?” threatened Jagger.
“I’m leaving,” I said.
Jagger threatened me again with expulsion from the restaurant and the tape recording stopped.
My glasses didn’t survive the encounter, while my reputation suffered, too. The story made the local television stations and even a national tabloid.
With the Stones back in town, I’m hoping I can shake hands with Jagger and make nice. But his people tell me it’s not likely.
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