Mick Jagger rubbishes rumour of Hells Angels kill contract following Gimme Shelter documentary controversy

An alleged contract issued by the Hells Angels biker gang for the death of Mick Jagger never happened, The Rolling Stones frontman says.

Jagger would suggest any contractual attempt on his life by the group, who shot to prominence in the 1960s, was bogus. Though the relationship between The Rolling Stones’ songwriter and the biker gang was fractured following the Gimme Shelter film release, there was never any attempt to kill Jagger. A former FBI agent once claimed the Hells Angels members had conspired to murder Jagger as retribution for their portrayal in the documentary film, but Jagger himself says this didn’t happen. Hells Angels members had reportedly commandeered a boat to a residence where Jagger was staying on Long Island, New York, but the plan to confront or even kill the musician was called off due to bad weather.

While Jagger and his publicist did not comment on the matter, the Wild Horses songwriter did note he had encountered members of the Hells Angels group years on from the release of Gimme Shelter. The fractured relationship between The Stones and biker gang stems from the Altamont concert the band put on. Some suggested the Hells Angels were hired as security by The Rolling Stones’ management, on the recommendation of both Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane.

But these claims are mere rumours according to those who were directly involved with setting up the concert, suggesting that there was no firm agreement in place. All the Hells Angels were asked to do, according to The Rolling Stones’ tour manager at the time, Sam Cutler, was to make sure the generators were not touched.

He said: “The only agreement there ever was … the Angels would make sure nobody tampered with the generators, but that was the extent of it. But there was no way ‘They’re going to be the police force’ or anything like that. That’s all bollocks.”

But Hells Angels member Bill Fritsch would suggest Cutler had at a meeting prior to the concert offered the group beer to work as a security detail for the festival. This was turned down by Fritsch, who claimed: “We don’t police things. We’re not a security force. We go to concerts to enjoy ourselves and have fun.

“Well, what about helping people out—you know, giving directions and things? Sure, we can do that.” Though both The Rolling Stones’ management and Hells Angels deny the need for a security detail at the Altamont Speedway Free Festival, the counterculture rock show has gone down in history for significant violence.

Meredith Hunter was killed at the show, while three further accidental deaths were noted. Injuries, car theft, and extensive property damage was also found across the Tracy, California venue. Around 300,000 people attended the concert, and the documentary film Gimme Shelter provided an account of the show.

But it’s this account which led to an alleged hit on Jagger, with Hells Angels members, according to an unnamed FBI agent, had wanted to kill the frontman. Jagger himself would dismiss this, saying he had been drinking with members of the Hells Angels, who said there were no hard feelings for the group’s portrayal in the 1970 documentary.

Speaking to The Face in 1983, Jagger said: “No, some Hell’s Angels came to a bar in New York about three months ago to see me. They bought me a drink and said there never was a contract on me, and they apologised.”