Devo first began getting wide attention around 1978 thanks in large part to the band’s quirky, kinetic cover of the classic Rolling Stones song “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.” The tune appeared on the New Wave group’s 1978 debut album, Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!
Devo recently launched a video series called Devolutionary Times featuring the group’s core members Mark Mothersbaugh, Gerald Casale, and Bob Mothersbaugh answering fans’ questions while reflecting on highlights of their long history. In the second episode, which premiered recently, the Devo bandmates were asked if they ever got any feedback from Mick Jagger or Keith Richards about their “amazing cover of ‘Satisfaction,’” and they had quite a story to tell.
All three Devo members confirmed that they had indeed gotten some Rolling Stones feedback about the cover. Casale then explained that after the band recorded “Satisfaction,” the group’s respective U.S. and U.K. record labels, Warner Bros. and Virgin, “weren’t going to let us put that song on the record ’cause intellectual property was taken very seriously then, and they considered what we did, quote, a parody.”
Casale noted that in order to release a song that’s considered a parody, an artist must get permission from the composer. Gerald recalled that he and Mark had to fly to New York City to meet with Jagger and secure his permission.
How the Meeting with Jagger Went
Casale shared that he and Mothersbaugh met with Jagger at then-Rolling Stones manager Peter Rudge’s office.
“[It was] a cold winter day in March, a rainy cold winter day,” Casale recalled. “And [we] had to play off of a cassette on a boom box our mix of ‘Satisfaction’ for Mick. And of course … we were very, very nervous. And, you know, the circumstances were funny.”
Mark Mothersbaugh then piped in.
“Yeah … we met him,” he said. “I mean … we were just a bunch of … spud boys from Ohio, … so the idea of, like, Mick Jagger walking into the same room we were in, just that alone was, like, overwhelming. And yeah, we put the song on, and it … didn’t even feel like it was real. It didn’t feel like it was real at all. And then, he jumped up and started dancing around the room, doing his dance. He liked the song.”
Casale also remembered how Jagger reacted.
“He goes, ‘I like it! I like it!’” Gerald said. And … we had big smiles on our face, like, ‘Oh, we’re not worthy.’ But, you know, all the tension in the room went away, and it was a success, and we were gonna be able to put it on the record. And we were elated, and we flew back to Los Angeles.”
Devo’s Manager Told Them Some Deflating Information After the Meeting
Casale then explained that after he and Mothersbaugh returned to L.A., they excitedly told their own new manager, the famed Elliot Roberts, about the successful meeting with Jagger. According to Gerald, Roberts, who was the longtime manager of Neil Young and Joni Mitchell, quickly put a bit of a damper on the Devo members’ euphoric mood.
“[Elliot] goes, ‘Yeah, yeah. I know all about it. Peter Rudge called me,’” Casale remembered. “He goes, ‘Listen, before you guys ever got there, I told Peter to tell Mick to say he liked it, ’cause you guys are gonna make him a s— ton of money, ’cause they retain all the publishing on the song.’ So, he kind of like, you know, schooled us.”
Mothersbaugh then commented, “He definitely took the air out of the tires for us. So, we don’t know if he was telling the truth or not, but …”
Casale then jumped in and said, “The more I look back on it, the more I think it was true. It was our introduction to how things really worked in Hollywood.”
More About Devo’s Cover of “Satisfaction”
Devo’s rendition of “Satisfaction” wasn’t a huge hit, although it did reach No. 41 on the U.K. singles chart. It also certainly got tongues wagging about the eccentric rockers when they performed the classic tune on Saturday Night Live in October 1978.
Devo’s 2025 Tour Plans
Devo recently announced plans for an 11-date fall North American co-headlining trek with The B-52s dubbed the Cosmic De-Evolution Tour. The outing kicks off September 24 in Toronto and is plotted out through a November 2 concert The Woodlands, Texas. New Wave singer Lene Lovich will serve as the opening act at all shows. The joint concerts are part of and Devo’s and The B-52s’ respective ongoing farewell tours.
Devo’s next performance will be as an opening act for My Chemical Romance on August 29 at Chicago’s Soldier Field.
Devo also has some festivals and headlining shows on its 2025 itinerary. The band will play the Shaky Knees festival in Atlanta on September 21, and the Ocean Calling festival on September 28 in Ocean City, Maryland.
The group also have headlining dates lined up on November 13 in Denver and November 15 in St. Paul, Minnesota.
(Photo by Paul Natkin/WireImage; Photo by Larry Hulst/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)