[Albion Wilde]

I found this video while doing something else today, and thought of our discussion here. It is Keith Richards being interviewed twenty years after the beginning of the Stones, and the interviewer clearly thought that was an astoundingly long time for a rock band—yet it was 35 years ago in 1982, and they are still going!

Several things struck me in Keith's remarks that have been touched upon in this thread, such as that they never intended to be big stars, but instead wanted to bring Mississippi Delta rhythm and blues to the wider mainstream audience.

Also, many of us have taken note of their technical prowess in spite of their often disgusting front edge. Keith at that time, twenty years in, was admiring his band's brotherhood and their craftsmanship, always striving to make the next performance better than the one before, not just resting on past laurels.

Part of Keith's candor on this video is about his recovery from substance abuse and having come to understand the harm it was doing to others. From other sources I've heard that Keith is the organizational power behind the band, that Mick is astute with managing their money, that he still works out and minds his diet in order to be able to continue, and that Keith's autobiography was more than a cheap money-maker; it was insightful and in its way historic.

Here's the video:

The Rolling Stones' Keith Richards on drugs & rock 'n' roll (1982)

And here's my favorite rock'n'roll photograph, of all the glittering performers out there. This one looks like it was painted by an Italian renaissance master:

[M Kehoe]

Thanks for the ping.

Is Keith clean? Miracles do happened.

5.56mm

[Gay State Conservative]

Ten bucks says the Kinks' "Dedicated Follower of Fashion" was about Brian Jones and/or Keith Moon.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

One facet of their success is their “professionalism” on the concert circuit. That is, they lead an organization that leaves nothing to chance, with their advance team setting up semi-trucks full of equipment, performing repair or replacement for any damages enroute, the actual concert management itself, and the tear down and repackaging for the next venue.

After the Altamont disaster in 1969, they became businessmen and have only gotten better since.

[SamAdams76]

I was born the same year the Rolling Stones was formed so by 1981, they were already a "dinosaur band" when I was just 19. I was in the Marine Corps during the fall of 1981 when they played a couple of shows at the LA Coliseum. The concerts were on Friday and Sunday night with a USC vs Arizona game in between on Saturday.

Well my claim to fame is that I went to the football game the day between those two concerts. The atmosphere around the Coliseum was electric and I so wish I could have had tickets to one of the Stones shows. They were playing with George Thorogood (who rocked) and Prince (who sucked). There was another band playing too but I forget who they were. But I did get to see the backdrop of the Rolling Stones set at the football game. I don't remember much of that game except for the running back Marcus Allen, who ran for something like 200 yards that particular game. But USC still lost!

[Clearly Right]

Thanks for the ping and the link. (That certainly is a "very well-paying hobby", like it's called in the video!)

It is always good to see someone get off that junk habit. Let's hope it is permanent for Keith.

Do you like this early blues by the Stones? (I like the guitar "duet" intro with the slide guitar and the other guitar. I also like the blues harmonica in this one.)

   "What A Shame"

[Yardstick]

Keith is always a great interview in the guitar player magazines. He is ultra pithy and witty and also very humble.