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Marianne Faithfull, who died today at 78, was crucial to the story of the Rolling Stones. Discovered by producer Andrew Loog Oldham at a party for the band, she later dated Mick Jagger from 1966 to 1970 and inspired him to write songs including “Wild Horses” and “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.” Jagger wrote on Instagram he was “saddened” by Faithfull’s death. “She was so much part of my life for so long,” he wrote. “She was a wonderful friend, a beautiful singer, and a great actress. She will always be remembered.” Faithfull’s first single, “As Tears Go By,” was one of the first songs written by Jagger and bandmate Keith Richards. She went on to sing backup for the Stones on “Sympathy for the Devil” and co-wrote the 1971 song “Sister Morphine.”
Richards also honored Faithfull on X, writing, “My heartfelt condolences to Marianne’s family! I’m so sad and will miss her!!” The Rolling Stones, meanwhile, posted a clip of Jagger and Richards performing “As Tears Go By,” simply writing, “For Marianne.”
