Art isn’t meant for competition; it’s a reflection of what’s in the artist’s heart. Keith Richards shares this belief, even though he’s admired as a guitarist.
While he respected the skill in musical sportsmanship, Richards admitted that one particular blues guitarist would have left every other blues musician in the dust had he lived longer.
Richards’ guitar playing has always been deeply rooted in the blues. He took inspiration from blues legends like B.B. King and Muddy Waters and crafted his own signature style, particularly through his use of open-G tuning.
His groove, especially in the early Rolling Stones records, is unmistakably influenced by the blues tradition, seamlessly working with Charlie Watts’s kick drum to create that iconic rhythm.
But Richards wasn’t only a fan of blues greats—he worshipped rock and roll heroes as well.
While others were obsessing over Frank Sinatra, Richards was devouring Chuck Berry’s riffs and taking notes from Elvis Presley’s guitarist, Scotty Moore.
However, Robert Johnson stood in a league of his own. Before rock and roll even had a name, Johnson embodied the rebellious, untamed spirit of rock guitar.
His wild lifestyle, including his romantic escapades and hard partying, led to his tragic early death when he was poisoned after a show. But to Richards, Johnson was more than just a casualty of the blues life.
When discussing Johnson’s genius, Richards saw the raw intensity behind tracks like “Crossroads” and “Me and the Devil Blues,” songs that conveyed more than just music—they felt almost supernatural, as though Johnson was channeling something far beyond the norm.
Had Johnson lived into his later years, Richards believes that the rock scene as we know it would be entirely different.
In a conversation with Guitar Player, Richards mused, “He’d have killed us all! If Johnson had just been a little nicer to his chicks and knew how to play the ladies a little better, then he might have been there instead of Muddy.”
Richards even hinted at rumors that Johnson may have had a band in his final days, although he’s unsure if it’s just wishful thinking.
Although Johnson’s recordings are rough, lo-fi relics of his time, his influence is undeniable.
The Rolling Stones covered his work, and songs like “Wild Horses” and “Gimme Shelter” reflect the darker, more introspective side of life that Johnson pioneered in the blues long before the rock gods came along.
Still, Johnson wasn’t looking to be the best guitarist or outdo anyone. He simply wanted to tell his story, and that authenticity—his willingness to bare his soul—is what resonated with future generations of musicians.
Robert Johnson didn’t just shape the blues; he set the stage for rock to thrive on personal expression, a lesson that Richards and countless other rockers have taken to heart.
