From David Bowie to Metallica and Justin Bieber: Discover Keith Richards’ musical dislikes

One of the most important names in the history of music, the guitarist Keith Richards His birthday is this December 18th.

At 81 years old, the rock legend has collected important achievements in a diverse career. Richards is one of the major partners of Mick Jagger and founding member of Rolling Stones. He also ventured into the world of acting, appearing in films such as Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007).

The list of experiences and achievements of Keith Richards It’s long. Almost as long as his list of musical dislikes.

The musician makes no bones about hiding his criticisms of other artists. Sometimes, the comments targeted names as notable as his. In others, the targets were entire musical genres (via Igor Miranda).

Keith Richards’ musical heartbreaks

The guide of the Stones has already questioned the work of several hip-hop artists. But his criticism seems to target the genre as a whole.

In an interview with Daily News, Richards questioned the musical knowledge of hip-hop musicians and fans:

What rap did was impressive to show that there are so many tone deaf people out there. All they need is a drum beat and someone shouting over the top. And they are happy about it. There’s a huge market for people who can’t tell one note from another. Rap: so many words, so little to be said.”

Another target of Keith Richards he was Princewho got to work with him. The singer and songwriter opened shows for Rolling Stones in the 1980s.

While on stage Prince prepared the party for the Stonesoutside of it the artist had his talent questioned, as found by the NME.

An overrated dwarf… Prince You need to discover what it means to be a prince. That’s the problem with giving yourself a title before proving yourself. His stance when he opened for us… was offensive to our audience. You don’t try to take down the headliner like that when you play to a crowd like that. Stones. He is a prince who thinks he is already a king. Good luck to him.”

Keith Richards He also doesn’t like very extravagant artists, who rely on the appearance of their shows as part of their success. For this reason, he criticized names like David Bowie and Guns N’ Roses.

It’s all pose. It’s all about the pose. It has nothing to do with music. He knows this too. I can’t think of anything he did that made my hair stand on end.” Bowie.

About the group led by Axl Rosewhich had the Rolling Stones as a reference, Richards stated:

“I admire their courage, but it’s too much of a pose. Their look is like there’s one of each in the band, one that looks Jimmy (Page), another that seems Ronnie (Wood). Too much copying, too much posing for me.”

The group of Jimmy Page was another whose success was questioned. In 1969, still at the beginning of the Led ZeppelinRichards complained about the lead singer Robert Plant.

The guy’s voice started to irritate me. I don’t know why. Maybe he’s a little too acrobatic.”

Years later, in 2015, the star of Rolling Stones changed his opinion — in part, as he maintained some negative comments about the Zeppelin:

“I love Jimmy Pagebut as a band… with John Bonham thundering like an out-of-control truck, no. Jimmy He’s a brilliant musician, but I always felt like there was something empty there.”

Another target was Bob Dylanwith slightly more intimate comments, as the artists would have discussed their skills.

Bob He’s an annoying bastard. I remember him telling me, ‘I could have composed ‘Satisfaction’but you couldn’t have composed ‘Desolation Row’.”

In the case of the band Grateful Dead, Richards was a little more sensitive, apologizing for the negative comments:

THE Grateful Dead This is where everyone got it wrong. Showing off for hours and hours. Jerry Garciawhat a boring s**t, man. Sorry, Jerry.”

Keith Richards he was bothered by music and appearance in some cases, and by lifestyle in others. That’s what happened with the Bee Geeswho lived in a “fantasy world” in the guitarist’s opinion.

You just need to read what they say in interviews… how many suits they have and that kind of crap. It’s all about kids, isn’t it?”

The criticisms of Richards are not limited to groups that achieved fame in the last century. The guitarist has already complained about the pop icon Justin Biebercalling him an aspirant and saying that his songs Bieber they are “a bunch of sh*t”.

The same goes for the Oasiswho announced a reunion tour for 2025.

These guys are detestable. Grow up and see if you can handle it.”

Going back to talking about musical styles, Keith Richards has already made clear his distaste for heavy metal. At once, he criticized two of the main names in the genre: Black Sabbath and Metallica:

Millions of people love them. When I heard them, I just thought they were a big joke. I don’t know where the inspiration comes from Metallicabut if it’s from me, then I was all.”

Richards he complained that heavy metal mixes notes in sequence and even gave his opinion on what constitutes really heavy music.

Sounds like something opaque to me. For most (metal) bands, sounding syncopated is something that is beyond them. It’s an infinite thud, without sustain, without syncope. If you want to listen to heavy metal, listen John Lee Hooker. Listen to that motherfucker play. This is heavy metal. This is heavy stuff.”

Counterblow

Elton John and the Sex Pistols could be just two more examples of targets for comments from Keith Richards. But their case is different as they fought back.

Richards defined the Rocket Man as “an old bitch who only writes about dead blondes”. The answer from Elton John came at the same level:

It would be bad to be like Keith Richards. He’s pathetic. It’s like a monkey with arthritis, trying to get on stage looking young. I have great respect for Stonesbut they would have been much better off if they had kicked Keith 15 years ago.”

About Sex Pistols, Richards criticized the punk rock band’s behavior.

There’s more to it than saying ‘s**t’ on TV or learning to spit by practicing in the mirror.”

The then bassist Sid Viciousanother with a sharp tongue, replied:

I wouldn’t piss on Keith Richards if it were on fire.”