In the music world, it’s crucial for an artist to develop their own unique sound rather than attempt to mimic someone else. While it’s natural to be influenced by others, the real goal is to find your own voice and continuously evolve until you can’t help but sound like you—not anyone else on the charts. For Keith Richards, guitarist of The Rolling Stones, this sense of individuality was vital from the start.
Richards, along with Mick Jagger, may have drawn inspiration from a wide range of musical genres early on, but Richards always had a strong sense of what he didn’t want to sound like. While The Rolling Stones’ career did intersect with The Beatles at times, there were moments where their music echoed the sound of The Fab Four, especially during the mid-60s. Albums like Between the Buttons and Their Satanic Majesties Request have clear parallels with what The Beatles were experimenting with, but Richards wasn’t merely chasing trends.
For him, the heart of music lay in the blues. From the first moment he heard Chuck Berry, his musical fate was sealed. But it wasn’t until he discovered artists like Muddy Waters and Robert Johnson that he truly realized how deep he wanted to go into the emotional world of music. He wanted to express himself the way these blues legends did—raw, honest, and unfiltered.
However, Richards’ affinity for the blues didn’t always align with the evolving sound of The Rolling Stones. Though they could occasionally veer off into wild, experimental territory, some of the world’s most influential musicians before them, particularly from the jazz world, were still making waves, and this didn’t change as rock music ascended into the mainstream.
When The Stones released iconic albums like Exile on Main St., jazz fusion was becoming a force in its own right. Artists like Jaco Pastorius and bands like Mahavishnu Orchestra were challenging musical conventions, pushing boundaries, and educating audiences with every performance. While Richards could appreciate what jazz musicians were doing, he was the first to admit that their approach wasn’t his.
“It’s never been the technique thing with me,” he said, acknowledging the differences between himself and players like George Benson or John McLaughlin. “I’ll never be a George Benson or a John McLaughlin, and I’ve never tried to be. I’ve never been into just playing, as such. I’ve been more interested in creating sounds and something that has a real atmosphere and feel to it.”
Some may see this as a refusal to push his technical abilities further, but Richards’ emphasis on atmosphere and feel is what made his playing so distinctive. As a rhythm guitarist, his role was often to fill the spaces between the lead, setting the foundation for the sound without overshadowing the melody. While many have tried to match the technical prowess of their idols, Richards stood apart, proving that creating a unique vibe can be just as impactful as technical skill.
In a world where musicians often obsess over refining their techniques, Richards’ approach was different. He didn’t feel the need to endlessly study or try to emulate the greats. Instead, his identity was unmistakable the moment the first chilling notes of Gimme Shelter cut through the air. Richards may not have sought to be the best technically, but when he played, everyone knew exactly who he was. His sound, unmistakably his own, has become iconic, and it’s something that can never truly be replicated.
Related Topics
- Joe Bonamassa Reflects on His Best and Worst Gigs, Including the “Golden Goose” Moment
- Beyoncé Guitarist Discusses Challenges in the Music Industry: ‘Landlords Don’t Take Clout’
- “Who Knows What Would Have Happened”: Jeff Beck Reflects on the Artist Who Gave Him a Career
