When it comes to rock legends, few bands hold as much weight as The Rolling Stones. As the 1960s came to a close, the world braced itself for a Beatles-less decade, but the Stones stepped up, taking over as the biggest band in the world. They unleashed landmark albums like Sticky Fingers and Keith Richards’ crowning achievement, Exile on Main St., cementing their place in rock history.
In the 1960s, the Stones evolved, gradually moving away from their rhythm and blues roots. While they ventured into a more pop-oriented sound—a move that caused friction with Brian Jones—the heart of the band always beat with the blues. Richards’ guitar playing, in particular, remained grounded in traditional blues riffs and licks, ensuring that the band never completely lost its original flavor.
For Richards, the key influence came from Chuck Berry. “When I started, all I wanted to do was play like Chuck,” Richards recalled. “If I could do that, I’d be the happiest man in the world.” Richards fondly remembers watching Berry in Jazz on a Summer’s Day (1959), a moment that shaped his musical vision. “What struck me was how Chuck Berry played against the grain, with jazz musicians who looked at rock and roll as ‘that thing.’” Berry’s confident defiance, especially in his performance of “Sweet Little Sixteen,” left an indelible mark on Richards. “To me, that’s blues,” he said. “That’s the attitude and guts it takes. That’s what I wanted to be.”
Richards’ admiration for his idols didn’t stop with Chuck Berry. He also cites Muddy Waters, T-Bone Walker, Elmore James, and B.B. King as key influences. “We’re all part of this family that goes back thousands of years. Really, we’re all passing it on,” he noted, acknowledging the deep connection between these legendary figures.
Richards also holds Elvis Presley’s guitarist, Scotty Moore, in high regard, describing him as a pivotal figure in shaping his own playing style.
“Scotty Moore was my hero,” Richards said after Moore’s passing in 2016. “There’s a little jazz in his playing, some great country licks, and a grounding in the blues. It’s never been duplicated, and I can’t copy it.”
Richards fondly remembers his time playing with Moore in Woodstock during a session at Levon Helm’s barn. “It was a session of good old boys, with plenty of whiskey that day,” Richards said. “There will never be another Scotty Moore.”
