In celebration of Keith Richards’ birthday, Uncut magazine honored the guitarist with a special January 2024 edition. Jimmy Page spoke with the publication in December about his recollections and views about the musician.
Richards was a founding group member and performed on every album released by The Rolling Stones during their six-decade tenure. Thus, Page revealed the following during a discussion of a 1970s jam session he had with the band:
“The thing I remember the most is that Keith was solid and driving, and he didn’t make mistakes. He kept going all the way through. And I realized just what a powerful force he is behind those Rolling Stones records. There was no doubt about it. Of course, I could take it all apart and highlight everybody’s vital contribution, but Keith was really driving it.”
The Led Zeppelin Guitarist Thinks Richards Deserves Respect
“Scarlet,” an unpublished song that was eventually included on the 2020 deluxe version of “Goats Head Soup,” was created during this London session. Page recalled some elements, such as Richards’ performance, even though the other members of The Rolling Stones had little recollection of the song’s production.
Regarding the guitarist’s talents and musical abilities, the former member of Led Zeppelin stated:
“The thing about Keith is his timing is really good and he has the imagination to be able to construct these wonderful riffs, which are the driving force behind the Stones’ records, pretty much. Not only that, but he could then turn his attention towards the acoustic playing on the 12-string, where he does ‘Angie’ and things like that. So, he’s extremely versatile. And super creative. If you’ve got somebody who can keep coming up with really good riffs decade after decade, that’s pretty serious. And to be respected.”
The Rolling Stones Founder’s Contributions To The Band Will Continue In The Near Future
On December 18, just after The Rolling Stones’ most recent album, “Hackney Diamonds,” was released, Richards celebrated his 80th birthday. In an interview with Guitar Player, the guitarist dispelled rumors that this may be the final album he and his bandmates would release together.
Speaking on their debut record following Charlie Watts’ passing in 2021, he clarified:
“I’ve never even come close to thinking of wrapping up the Rolling Stones’ story, so my answer to that is ‘Absolutely not.’ It was just a cool way of wrapping up the album and the story so far. We plan to keep on working. I know we’re going to work next year.”
To accompany “Hackney Diamonds,” The Rolling Stones are scheduled to go on a tour in the spring and summer of 2024. On April 24, a concert in Texas will kick off the tour.