# Mick Jagger almost played harmonica on Joe Satriani's album

> The Rolling Stones frontman casually offered to contribute to Satriani's 1995 record, but the guitarist ended up playing the part himself instead.
- Title: Mick Jagger almost played harmonica on Joe Satriani's album
- Summary: The Rolling Stones frontman casually offered to contribute to Satriani's 1995 record, but the guitarist ended up playing the part himself instead. Sometimes…
- Keywords: joe satriani, mick jagger, rolling stones, 1995, harmonica, collaboration, s.m.f., glyn johns, recording, guitar, Mick, Jagger
- Source: Guitar World — https://guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/joe-satriani-on-the-time-mick-jagger-very-nearly-ended-up-on-his-record
- Published: 2026-09-25T18:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: joe satriani, mick jagger, rolling stones, 1995, harmonica, collaboration, s.m.f., glyn johns, recording, guitar
## Backstage offer from a legend
While the Rolling Stones played Oakland Stadium in the mid-1990s, Mick Jagger casually offered to play harmonica on Joe Satriani's upcoming album during a backstage conversation.

> Oh, Joe, if you want some harp playing on your record, just give me a call.
## Finding the right song
Satriani initially considered having Jagger play on Cool #9 and Luminous Flesh Giants, but realized those tracks weren't suited for harmonica.
## Writing a custom track
Satriani wrote a new song called S.M.F. specifically for Jagger and sent him an ADAT demo while the Stones were touring in South America and Australia.
## Producer suggests a change
When recording engineer Glyn Johns heard about the plan, he suggested Satriani play the harmonica part himself instead, which he had done live before.

> Well, why don't you just play it?
## The new version wins out
Satriani's own harmonica performance on S.M.F. sounded better than Jagger's demo, so he kept his version instead of using the Stones frontman's contribution.

> We tried it, and it worked out fine.
## An awkward phone call
Satriani had to call Jagger and politely decline his harmonica contribution, describing the situation as very embarrassing.

> Thanks, but no thanks.
## Key takeaway

Sometimes the best creative decision is trusting your own instincts over a famous collaboration opportunity.