Keith Richards, the guitarist for the Rolling Stones, rarely gives credit to other musicians, preferring to use a scathing comment to bring a band back to earth. After the release of their breakthrough album, Appetite For Destruction, in 1988, Guns N’ Roses became one of the most well-known bands on the planet, but Richards remained unconvinced.
Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash owes a lot to The Rolling Stones, regardless of how he feels about the band. Former Sex Pistols member Steve Jones stated that the band’s back catalog comprised “pretty much his favorite music of all time” during an appearance on Jonesy’s Jukebox. Beggars Banquet and Let It Bleed are two of the albums that Slash listed as his all-time favorites. “The Stones were and continue to be my life’s soundtrack for a very long time. He said on the show, “My parents were really into the Stones, too.a
In addition, Slash performed a cover of Guns N’ Roses’ “Sympathy For The Devil” for the soundtrack of Interview with the Vampire. Richards felt they needed help with their wardrobe even though he didn’t have any major issues with their sound and even gave them credit for reaching the top of the mountain.
In an interview with Rolling Stone, When asked about his opinions of the group, Richards said, “Not much.” I’m impressed by their success despite some opposition from the radio industry. I respect their bravery. But posing is overdone. They appear to be two different members of the band—one who looks like Jimmy and the other who looks like Ronnie. For me, there’s too much posing and copying. I haven’t listened to a whole album to be able to talk about the music.”
Keith Richards continued, showing more than a hint of self-awareness, “I’m a very hard taskmaster. I’m aware that everyone will comment, “Oh, it seems like he’s making fun of everyone.”
Years later, when Slash was having difficulties, Richards stepped in to keep Guns N’ Roses together. Keith’s advice helped him stay in the group longer than he had intended, even though he eventually left.
“The Stones were recording Voodoo Lounge. When Keith questioned me about my activities with guns, I informed him of Axl’s predicament. “You never give up,” Keith told Mojo in 2009. I gave what he said a lot of thought. Among the few people I look up to is Keith. He provided me with the resources I needed to return to rehearsal with a new outlook. “It kept me in there for as long as humanly possible,” he continued. Regretfully, I was working with someone who only wanted to bring the ship down.”
Even though he wasn’t instantly enamored with the band, Richards was impressed with Guns N’ Roses. If not, he would not have suggested that Slash stay with the group when he was about to leave. Even so, in 1996 he decided to leave the sinking ship despite the guitarist hero’s advice.
