Keith Richards, renowned for his sharp tongue and outspoken nature, has never been one to hold back when voicing his opinions on other musicians. Throughout his career, he’s aimed his criticisms at artists as iconic as The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Oasis, and Metallica. But one of his most controversial and venomous targets was none other than Prince, the genre-defying icon whose legacy in music is beyond dispute.
In the 1980s, Richards made several biting remarks about Prince that have not aged well. His critiques, delivered in his usual scathing style, were aimed at a man whose influence only grew with time. Despite Richards’ harsh words, Prince’s career—marked by chart-topping hits, critical acclaim, and a profound impact on music—cemented his place as a legend. The animosity between the two icons can be traced back to a contentious moment in 1981 when Prince opened for The Rolling Stones.
The LA Coliseum Incident
In October 1981, at Mick Jagger’s personal invitation, Prince opened for The Rolling Stones at two massive shows at the LA Coliseum. Playing to over 90,000 people alongside George Thorogood and the J. Geils Band, Prince and his band, soon to be known as The Revolution, stepped onto a stage brimming with anticipation. However, Prince’s bold outfit—a sheer jacket, thigh-high boots, and black bikini briefs—quickly turned parts of the crowd against him.
Even before his first note, Prince was met with boos, and the hostile reception, including racially charged insults, left the musician visibly shaken. After his first set, he reportedly fled to his dressing room in tears, vowing never to return. He even flew back to Minnesota, abandoning his band in Los Angeles.
However, Mick Jagger managed to convince Prince to return for the second night, though he was again met with boos. Undeterred, Prince concluded with a scorching rendition of “Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad?” and later commented on the crowd’s rejection, calling them “tasteless in music and mentally retarded.”
Keith Richards’ Retaliation
Prince’s defiant remarks about the audience didn’t sit well with Richards, who saw them as a slap in the face to his fans. In the aftermath, Richards didn’t hold back, describing Prince as an “overrated midget.” He criticized the musician for his “arrogant” behavior, stating, “That’s the trouble with conferring a title on yourself before you’ve proved it. His attitude when he opened for us was insulting to our audience. He’s a prince who thinks he’s a king already. Good luck to him.”
Richards’ venom didn’t stop there. Eight years later, speaking to the Los Angeles Times, he compared Prince to The Monkees, dismissing him as an opportunist more focused on manipulating the entertainment industry than creating meaningful music. “I don’t see much substance in anything he does,” Richards said, even labeling Prince’s career as a “Pee-wee Herman trip.”
A Shift in Perspective
Despite his earlier venom, Richards’ stance on Prince softened over time. After the sudden death of Prince in 2016, Richards posted a tribute on social media that starkly contrasted his previous criticisms: “A unique talent. A true original. So sad, so sudden, and, I will add, a great guitar player. We are all going to miss him.”
This public acknowledgment marked a notable shift in Richards’ perspective, one that hinted at the respect he had for the artist, even if it had been buried beneath layers of harsh criticism in the past.
Legacy and Reflection
The clash between Richards and Prince remains a defining moment in both of their careers, highlighting the tensions between the old guard and the new wave of musicians reshaping the musical landscape. While Richards’ early comments suggested jealousy or a defensive reaction to Prince’s groundbreaking style, his later tribute revealed a grudging respect.
Ultimately, their feud serves as a reminder of the complexities of the music industry—where egos clash, and personal rivalries sometimes overshadow true artistic merit. In the end, both Richards and Prince left legacies that will be remembered for generations to come, despite their differences.
