The Rolling Stones, alongside The Beatles, helped shape the cultural revolution of the 1960s, becoming icons of an era that transformed popular music and society forever. While The Beatles may have taken a more dominant cultural role, The Rolling Stones are still standing strong. Having released 25 studio albums over their career, the band remains one of the few from the 1960s to still be making music and touring, attracting fans from all generations.
At the heart of The Rolling Stones’ enduring legacy are Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. Their songwriting partnership has produced some of the most iconic songs in rock history. Though they were childhood friends, it was a chance meeting at Dartford train station during their teenage years that reignited their connection. Jagger, armed with a collection of rock and blues records, sparked Richards’ interest in discussing music, and the two quickly began forming what would eventually become the legendary band, named after Muddy Waters’ song “Rollin’ Stone.”
Initially, the Stones honed their sound by covering blues classics, but as they found their voice, they grew into a fully established rock band with a flair for scandal. Managed by Andrew Loog Oldham, the band’s image was carefully crafted to embody the rebellious ‘sex, drugs, and rock and roll’ lifestyle. Though all the members indulged in their fair share of wild behavior, Richards, in particular, became infamous for his antics, constantly making tabloid headlines for his rock star excess.
Despite his notorious behavior, Richards’ musical genius never faltered. Beyond his work with The Rolling Stones, Richards also lent his talents as a session musician to various artists and launched a solo career. His debut album, Talk Is Cheap, came out in 1988, followed by Main Offender four years later. However, he put his solo career on pause for over two decades before returning in 2015 with Crosseyed Heart. The album reached number seven on the UK Album Charts, surpassing his previous solo efforts.
Crosseyed Heart marked the end of an era for Richards in more ways than one, as it featured his longtime collaborator and close friend, Bobby Keys, who played his final performance on the record. Keys, an American saxophonist known for his wild antics alongside Richards, had been a staple of The Rolling Stones’ sound for decades, most notably playing the iconic sax solo in Brown Sugar.
Richards shared a deep admiration for Keys, describing him as “larger than Texas” in an interview with Entertainment Weekly.
He fondly remembered the saxophonist’s energy and talent, saying, “Bob just comes and he’s ready to rock.” Richards reflected on their friendship and the immense loss he felt after Keys passed away in 2014, noting, “I’m still pretending he’s alive. But I know he ain’t. I miss him sorely, yeah.”
Keys had been part of The Rolling Stones’ extended family since 1969, making his debut on Live With Me. Though his time with the band was briefly interrupted by a heroin addiction, Keys returned to the fold and remained a key figure in their live performances until his death. His legacy endures, not only through his work with The Rolling Stones but also his collaborations with a variety of iconic artists, including Eric Clapton, George Harrison, and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
In the end, Bobby Keys was more than just a saxophonist for The Rolling Stones—he was a true rock and roll legend whose spirit continues to influence the band and their music. Keith Richards’ reflections on his life and contributions to rock serve as a fitting tribute to a man who was, in every sense of the word, larger than life.
