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.
lolol
“After getting high one time, he was exposed to strychnine which is used as a bait for rodents, and was poisoned when some strychnine got mixed with his drugs. Nonetheless, he escaped that situation with little or no harm.”
I think his earlier albums were his best, and they went downhill after The River.
Best Springsteen song, in my humble opinion ...
New York City Serenade -- from The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle.
Never got much airplay on the radio because it's so long, but I think every drum beat and every note on the guitar, the piano and the saxophone (starts around the 4:30 mark) is memorable. It helps that there's a background orchestra in it, too. LOL.
Maybe it's time for a new tagline, too ...
I don’t like Bruce’s music, but it’s good that he does long shows.
Keith Richards should know since he was around when Mozart started out. BS songs sounds like something a 15 year old boy writes after a class in poetry.
I’ve despised Springsteen since the first time I heard him.
L
Today, that photo would get him canceled; not for pissing on the flag, but for the red cap, that snowflake fascists would claim is a MAGA hat.
“...Biden is in power putting the middle class through absolute hell...”
So true. Brandon:Our POTUS and Masochist-In-Chief.
With Springsteen, I think he was very good at telling stories that had personal meaning, and his band was very talented. After Born to Run came out, I believe Bruce thought his opinions on everything were important to the world. Of course, you can only write so many songs about Jersey girls and motorcycles, so his peak creativity was destined to be short-lived.
I can see recording some "working class hero" material if it's something you've observed and can bring attention to in song - Billy Joel's "Allentown" and "Downeaster Alexa" are examples. When a performer tries to force that into their identity and it doesn't fit, people notice.
The audience can also sense when the working-class stuff is genuine, too... performers like Jim Croce didn't have to do the hard sell. Even Tom Petty had a more authentic working-class vibe than Bruce.
And Elviv Costello leaning by his elbow on the keyboard pretend falling asleep waiting for bruce to finish his horseshit solo
I am going to get in trouble again and agree with you - most overrated musician. However, will give him credit for his his work ethic.
There's millions of players with more talent than that jackass. He writes stupid, simple songs and over-sings (screams) everything. He sucks. I've really never understood why anyone likes him.
“Bruce sings like he’s trying to pass a bowling ball.”
I like some of his music. Born to Run comes to mind.
But your comment is spot on.
let’s call it very low-volume ping list...but whenever I run across a The Bwuce article, I try to throw it up there... Great fun to make fun of him!
I used an old list and forgot to ping you
And tks for reminding me that it’s “The Springsteen still sucks and is still a douche” ping list, lol!
Reason to Believe (Nebraska) youtube
"Take a baby to the river
"Kyle William," they called him
Wash the baby in the water
Take away little Kyle's sin
In a whitewashed shotgun shack
An old man passes away
Take the body to the graveyard
And over him, they pray
Lord, won't you tell us
Tell us—what does it mean?
At the end of every hard-earned day
People find some reason to believe"
HAHA!
I was flipping through the channels and came across ladies and gentlemen the Rolling, and with Mick Taylor they were GREAT with him.
“Born To Be Wild” by Steppenwolf came out in ‘68. Springsteen tried to copy that tune’s musicality and blue collar/biker ethic his entire career and failed miserably.
Springsteen sucks.
Live Gimme Shelter..and for those that have never heard of the OTHER Mick...he is showcased and its like Keef doesnt exist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7vLY-kZsAI
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.