How Could A Single Person Be The Heart of Rock and Roll?
Duh!!
There’s a saying that musicians are just fans who started playing.
This is completely true.
My friends know that when it comes to the music I like, it is true, die-hard fanaticism.
The artists, bands, writers, players, producers that I adore are many and varied.
But way, way up there on the list is The Rolling Stones, and very especially Keith Richards.
My twin brother, who was my first music-making partner, the drummer on my first two albums (and first couple decades making music), is every bit the music fanatic I am.
He was the one who early on got me into the Stones (at a time when I only really wanted to hear about Zeppelin, Floyd, and the Grateful Dead).
Some years later, he characterized it to me in a simple yet perfect way in which I still think about it today:
“Keith is the heart of the Stones.”
Now, if you love the Stones’ music, and you have any tendency whatsoever to listen to the individual instrumental tracks of songs, then you know what I’m talking about.
Many would also extend it to say that Keith is the heart of Rock and Roll, and I think it’s a pretty accurate statement.
Put it this way, if it’s anyone, it’s him.
Meanwhile, by all accounts, and if his on-camera demeanor is any indication,
he also might be the greatest guy in Rock and Roll.
Regardless, if you’re someone like me, you like seeing and reading stuff about Keith.
(And if you still haven’t checked out his book LIFE, do yourself a favor and GET IT AND READ IT NOW. It’s not only one of the great biographies of all time, it s simply a non-stop, fun-as-hell, and highly thoughtful, sharp, eloquent, and touching read.)
So, when I came across a page on his official site called “Ask Keith” where he answers questions that people send in, I was stuck for the next little bit.
Here’s a link to the page, and here are some of my favorites below.
Enjoy!
What do you think of Ron Wood & Mick Taylor working together?
If you could only have two guitars, one acoustic and one electric, what would you choose?
Is there any song you would like to record again or do over?
Are you still a music fan?
How was the experience of writing LIFE?
How did you respond to the success of LIFE?
What Music Always Moves You?
Fascinatin’ stuff, kids..
Who else is a Keith fan out there??
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AWESOME!! Bookmarking this page for rainy days. Billie Holiday & Ella Fitzgerald always do it for me too.
Well, I don’t even know why exactly, but my mind immediately jumped to Chuck Berry.
Touché, Johannes. So if we go with my assertion, we could say that CB is the heart of the heart of R&R.. OR we could say that I really put up the 2nd generation. I think it’s pretty clear that KR would side with you on this one.
Naturally, when I saw your email I ASSUMED you were talking about Huey Lewis (and maybe, you know, The News). But, as much as I love Huey (and I’m proud to say I do :), I can’t argue with your choice.
Keef, as he’s known by his good friends (which of course I am, in my mind), is a true legend and apparently a helluva guy, beyond being one of the obviously best rock musicians ever.
LIFE is an autobiography that should be on every list, up there with Ben Franklin and Malcolm X, if I may be so bold. Not as “serious” as those of course, but an honest and fun telling of a life worth hearing about. Read it.
And while you’re at it, listen to the Stones. There’s a reason their music lasts.
Nice Mutt. I’m gonna have you do the next one of these.