The Rolling Stones' Keith Richards: A Master of Nuance and Collaboration
Keith Richards, the legendary guitarist of The Rolling Stones, is renowned for his masterful playing and his ability to create timeless masterpieces with just a few chords. In this article, we explore Richards' unique approach to music, his appreciation for his bandmates, and his thoughts on the importance of teamwork and collaboration.
Richards' appreciation for simplicity and nuance is evident in his playing. He believes that a masterpiece can be created with just a couple of chords, and it's all about how those chords are played. As he explains, 'If that one [the right hand], doesn’t connect with that one [the left hand], you’re getting what? One and a half stories?'
This appreciation for simplicity and collaboration is rooted in his blues background. Richards has always disavowed showing off as nothing but egoist drivel, preferring to focus on the energy of rock ‘n’ roll. This is why he revered his bandmates Charlie Watts and Bill Wyman so much. They may have been a simple rhythm section, but for Richards, the power was all in the 'mix'.
However, no bandmate ever stood out quite as proudly to Richards as Mick Taylor. Taylor joined the Stones in 1969 at the tender age of 20, and his supreme style quickly had Richards agog. Richards explains, 'I was in awe sometimes listening to Mick Taylor. Everything was there in his playing — the melodic touch, a beautiful sustain and a way of reading a song.'
Taylor's strength lay in his capacity on the acoustic guitar, which Richards considers essential for a guitarist to start with. Richards explains, 'I would say that the acoustic guitar is the most important thing for a guitar player to start with, learn the feel and the touch of that string and what it does against the fret; learn that and then you can add the effects later on.'
Taylor's intuitive learning style and his ability to pick out harmonies and learn by ear are also key to his success. As he explains, 'I suppose because I have a good ear, I could pick out harmonies and learn by ear. I still think that you have to have an ear for music to really be able to feel and understand what you’re playing. You can learn by watching and listening to other people.'
Taylor's teamwork and collaboration with Richards were vital after the departure of Brian Jones. Richards explains, 'Brian demanded, you have to understand, and in a band like this, you also have to be supportive and giving. Having to deal with his jealousy, with Mick and me writing the songs, when you’re working 300-odd days a year — it becomes intolerable, and you can get really nasty about it.'
Despite his exceptional skills, Richards never stood out as the band's lead guitarist. Instead, he focused on the band's overall output and his own ego. This is why he fought against Taylor, even if it meant Taylor's eventual departure from the band.
Richards' unique approach to music, his appreciation for simplicity and collaboration, and his ability to create timeless masterpieces with just a few chords make him one of the most considered guitarists in rock history.
