Rolling Stone Mick Jagger's two big demons

by Angela Johnson. Published Tue 01 Sep 2009 08:48, Last updated: 2009-09-01

Mick Jagger's cousin has revealed the two biggest fears in Mick's life - his mother and performing in Rio de Janeiro.

Cousin and childhood friend Rodney Wilmot spoke of his family connection with Mick Jagger and his experience growing up alongside the Rolling Stones legend.

Inteviewed by Sean Styles on BBC Radio Merseyside, Rodney Wilmot, 65, described the domineering nature of Mick's mother Eva, who was the matriarch of the family.

He said: "Aunt Eva was a formidible lady let's put it that way.

"She had a look. If you displeased her you knew full well, she didn't have to say anything.

"It was always clear Aunt Eva was the matriarch.

"I'm convinced Mick was afraid of her.

"The only other time he has revealed his fear to me was at his Rio de Janeiro concert.

"They played to 1.3 million on the beach. Absolutely staggering.

"Mick said to me it was one of the only times he was slightly nervous before they went on stage.

"They had built a bridge across the road from the Coca Cabana beach hotel to get them to the stage.

"They realised the magnitude of it when Rio de Janero closed that night, there were massive screens erected across various intersections as they played to a mile long audience."