Being in Keith Richards’ creative circle must be a wild ride. As a legendary guitar icon with a distinctive fingerstyle and a reputation for living on the edge, Richards is no stranger to complexity. But despite his own storied challenges, The Rolling Stones guitarist insists he’s not the most difficult figure in music history. That dubious honor, according to Richards, belongs to his idol, Chuck Berry.
Richards’ life is a testament to rock ‘n’ roll chaos. From legal troubles and brushes with death to volatile band dynamics, his journey epitomizes the rowdy, rebellious spirit of the 1960s counterculture. However, while Richards is known for his sharp wit and prickly demeanor, he sees Berry—the “Father of Rock and Roll”—as an even greater challenge.
A Clash of Titans
During the 1980s, when tensions with Mick Jagger temporarily sidelined The Rolling Stones, Richards turned his focus to other projects. One such endeavor was working on Hail! Hail! Rock ‘n’ Roll, a 1987 documentary celebrating Chuck Berry’s 60th birthday. This collaboration, however, revealed just how challenging Berry could be.
In a 1988 interview on Danish TV show Eleva2ren, Richards called Berry the most difficult musician he had ever worked with. Reflecting on the experience, Richards admitted:
“I didn’t expect it to be easy. Just because something’s difficult doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it. I’m used to working with difficult people; I work with Mick Jagger. But Chuck Berry? That’s another level. It was a test for myself as much as it was something I felt I had to do.”
Richards described the project as both a tribute to his hero and a personal challenge. Despite their clashes, capturing Berry’s live performances—a notoriously neglected aspect of his career—felt like an artistic obligation.
The Challenges of Chuck Berry
Richards was candid about Berry’s approach to live music, which he found exasperating. According to Richards, Berry prioritized cost-cutting over quality, often hiring the cheapest backing bands he could find. “Chuck believes that Chuck’s enough; he doesn’t think he needs a band,” Richards remarked.
For the documentary, Richards rehearsed the band and Berry for nearly two weeks. However, Berry’s attitude during the process underscored his difficult nature. “Chuck thinks it’s the band being rehearsed,” Richards explained. “It would never occur to him that it’s actually him being rehearsed.”
This stubbornness, paired with Berry’s larger-than-life personality and penchant for drama, made the project a grueling experience. Yet, for Richards, the effort was worth it. As a lifelong admirer, he saw the opportunity to work with Berry as a rare and invaluable experience, despite the frustrations.
Comparing Berry to Jagger
Richards’ declaration that Berry was more difficult to work with than Mick Jagger is telling. At the time, his relationship with Jagger was at an all-time low, with Richards mockingly referring to him as “Brenda” or “Your Majesty.” Yet, even Jagger’s diva antics paled in comparison to Berry’s notorious temperament.
Richards may have clashed with his Rolling Stones bandmate, but his experience with Chuck Berry was a reminder that even the greatest icons have their flaws. For Richards, navigating Berry’s quirks was a testament to his devotion to rock ‘n’ roll and the enduring legacy of one of its founding fathers.
