The Rolling Stones, one of the few 1960s pioneers still rocking into the 21st century, have endured the test of time—though not without their share of drama, loss, and scandal. Despite the deaths of several members and decades of headlines, the band continues to perform, releasing their latest record, Blue and Lonesome, in 2016. They’ve watched other bands attempt to match their legendary status, and Keith Richards, no stranger to sharing his opinions, has made it clear who he thinks falls short.
From David Bowie to Led Zeppelin, Richards isn’t shy about his thoughts on fellow musicians. He has never held back, particularly when discussing modern rock bands. His opinions on Metallica and Black Sabbath, for example, are blunt, famously telling the New York Daily News, “I don’t know where Metallica’s inspiration comes from, but if it’s from me, then I fucked up.” His comments on Oasis were equally sharp, calling them “obnoxious” and advising the band to “grow up and then come back and see if you can hang.”
Richards’ disdain doesn’t stop there. He’s openly criticized rap music, mocking its lyrical depth by saying, “Rap: so many words, so little said.” According to him, rap’s success comes down to “a drum beat and somebody yelling over it.” Richards’ view of the genre? It’s about the market for people who “can’t tell one note from another.”
However, it’s a particularly iconic American band that stirs Richards’ ire: the Grateful Dead. Known for their long, psychedelic jams and instrumental prowess, the Dead have earned a significant place in rock history—but not in Richards’ eyes.
In a candid moment, he disparaged their music, stating, “The Grateful Dead is where everybody got it wrong. Just poodling about for hours and hours. Jerry Garcia, boring shit, man. Sorry, Jerry.”
It’s no surprise that Richards isn’t a fan of jam bands, given the Rolling Stones’ preference for concise rockers. The Stones’ longest track, “Goin’ Home,” barely exceeds ten minutes, while bands like the Grateful Dead often stretched their songs to epic lengths. But while Richards isn’t a supporter of their style, Garcia, on the other hand, expressed his admiration for the Rolling Stones. Garcia even covered “Let’s Spend the Night Together” in 1989 and later reinterpreted “Connection” with his band New Riders of the Purple Sage.
Ultimately, despite their differences, both legends left their mark on rock in their own way—but Richards will always prefer keeping things shorter and sweeter.
