Posted on 05/14/2022 9:59:59 AM PDT by nickcarraway
Keith Richards has made a career from speaking out of line in what is an unfiltered approach to saying what is on his mind. Even those who have been kind to him over the years, like Bruce Springsteen, are not immune to criticism.
Springsteen is incredibly thankful for the powerful impact The Rolling Stones had on his life, and he holds the group in demigod status. ‘The Boss’ has even openly spoken about his recurring childhood dream about being plucked from the crowd and joining them on stage.
Years later, Springsteen successfully made that unthinkable childhood ambition become a reality. However, despite performing with Bruce on multiple occasions, Richards believes the only reason his peer is famous is because of a devastating lack of talent in competition.
Writing as part of his 2010 autobiography, Life, Richards savagely critiqued a plethora of his peers, such as Elton John and Prince. Of course, those were unsurprising attacks considering his history with the pair. However, he has a cordial relationship with Bruce but still wrote: “If there was anything better around, he’d still be working the bars of New Jersey.”
Richards’ problem with Springsteen isn’t anything personal, and in a 1988 interview with Rolling Stone, the guitarist explained why he finds the New Jersey singer-songwriter “indulgent”.
He remarked: “I’ve met Bruce two or three times. We’ve had several good chats, usually at some release party or premiere, and we just end up in the corner talking. He’s a sweet guy, a nice guy. Mind you, I think four-hour shows really are way over the top. To me, a great rock & roll act does twenty minutes [laughs]”.
Richards added: “I remember the Paramount, where you got the Impressions, Jackie Wilson, Joe Tex, and everybody does just their absolute supreme best shot! A lot of the shows you get these days are very self-indulgent. I don’t think anybody can be enthralling for four hours on stage playing rock & roll.”
Later in the interview, Richards was asked for his thoughts on Springsteen’s music. Although he did caveat his comments by stating that he likes Bruce as a person, his music is a different subject. The Stones guitarist remarked: “Bruce? That’s a tough one, because I like the guy. But the music…I don’t know. I’m the toughest taskmaster of all time. I’m going to annoy a lot of people. Bruce? To me, it’s pretentious.”
As much as Richards finds Springsteen’s concerts intolerable, the singer-songwriter’s affability compensates for his perceived shortcomings on the musical front.
Either Richards’ scathing comments didn’t get back to Springsteen, or the New Jersey native was simply unfazed by the remarks because below is footage of them performing a thrilling rendition of ‘Tumbling Dice’ in 2012.
If I had the genes of Keith Richards and Willie Nelson, I might just live forever.
I think these two have some kind of very rare, recessive gene mutation where the body actually needs weed and alcohol for longevity.
Because Keith can see?
Sure, but that's more or less true of all performers.
“Indulgent” and “pretentious”? That’s Bruce S. exactly.
full clip from the Godard film while they were recording /developing Sympathy for the Devil. Richards face sure has changed...lol
Wonder where and when that concert was with the Stones and Springsteen.
He is right, Springsteen is 100% pretentious. This is a guy who openly admits he never held a job yet he goes around pushing the blue collar working class image when in fact he’s a rich elitist liberal.
If he cared one scintilla for the middle class he sure as hell wouldn’t be fanatically supporting the Rat party. When Trump was POTUS he relentlessly bashed Trump even though Trump set records in the economy and employment. Where is Springsteen now that his boy Biden is in power putting the middle class through absolute hell?
Anyone hear Springsteen protest the price of gas? Protest inflation? I drive a truck for a living, diesel is now almost $7 a gallon on the east coast. I don’t see Bruce sending me a check to cover for it.
That’s because they have already embalmed themselves.
Actually Bruce briefly worked selling surfboards in Belmar.
Downbound Train is something I listen to a couple times a week, and Max Weinberg is one of my favorite drummers. As overplayed as the song Born in the USA is, it doesn’t get old for me, especially with Weinberg’s drums, and the fact that it’s actually a working class protest song about a disillusioned Vietnam vet who can’t find work after the War. The whole phrase Born in the USA within the context of the song is meant as a sarcastic joke. I’m “Born in the USA”, but after my country sent me to war I was abandoned and can’t find work. It’s actually a pretty salient Trump-like message.
The rest of his stuff, I agree with Keith. Although I like some songs from The River.
Bruce sings like he’s trying to pass a bowling ball.
The only thing more annoying is when he tries to sing with a phoney Southern drawl.
If you are a guitar player you can figure which one is Keith Richards and which one is Mick Taylor. Taylor blew it up.
If you aren’t a guitar player...you can cheat by looking at the comments
What could have been if Taylor had stuck around...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVGZ2ZEWNrM
I also like "Downbound Train" (best track on "Born In The USA") as well as pretty much his entire "Tunnel Of Love" album, which I think is his best. Probably because I had just gotten married when that album came out and so those songs all remind me of my new wife and I driving down the road together with that cassette in the tape player.
"Trapped" from the 1985 "We Are The World" album is also a hidden gem.
I just wish Bruce wasn't such an unctuous, insufferable a*hole, or I would appreciate his music all the better.
Bruce sings about America then goes off about how he hates it so much.
Mike row is the real deal. While he doesn’t have to work manual,labor so much a ymkre, he is I volved in helping people become successful. Springsteen is a poser. Never .iked his music at all.
Not to mention boring, depressed, and monotonous.
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