The Famous Times Keith Richards Insulted Other Musicians
via The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon / YouTube
Keith Richards, the iconic co-founder of the Rolling Stones, is not one to mince words, especially when it comes to his opinions on fellow musicians. Over the years, he has delivered biting critiques, leaving a trail of memorable insults in his wake. From classic rock legends to trendy pop stars, no one is spared from Richards’ sharp tongue.
One of his infamous targets was Led Zeppelin, a band he found lacking. In 1969, he expressed his opinion on their frontman, Robert Plant, stating, “The guy’s voice started to get on my nerves. Maybe he’s a little too acrobatic.” Even in 2015, Richards reiterated his feelings, finding something “hollow” about Led Zeppelin.
Bob Dylan, despite his musical genius, faced Richards’ wrath too. In a 2014 interview, Richards referred to Dylan as a “nasty little bugger” due to a heated encounter they had back in 1966. Richards didn’t shy away from criticizing Dylan’s collaborators, the Band, either, calling them “too strict” and lacking spontaneity.
The Bee Gees, even before their disco phase, weren’t spared. Richards labeled them as being in their “own little fantasy world” in 1969, dismissing their interviews as “kid stuff.”
Richards’ candidness extended to newer acts as well. Oasis, a band that stirred controversy, faced his straightforward judgment in 1997 when he simply stated, “They’re crap.” Even the Spice Girls didn’t escape his scrutiny. He criticized their lack of musical talent, dubbing them as “a lot of tarts” without singing or playing skills.
Prince, despite his immense talent, also felt the sting of Richards’ criticism. In 1983, Richards didn’t hold back, describing Prince’s attitude as problematic and insulting to the Rolling Stones’ audience. Despite this, Richards acknowledged Prince’s unique talent upon his passing in 2016.
These are just a few examples of Richards’ memorable insults. Whether he’s commenting on classic tracks or contemporary hits, Keith Richards remains unapologetically candid, proving that in the world of rock ‘n’ roll, honesty can sometimes be as sharp as a guitar riff.
Here’s a list of his top 20 memorable insults:
1. On Led Zeppelin:
“The guy’s voice started to get on my nerves. Maybe he’s a little too acrobatic.” (1969)
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2. On Bob Dylan:
“Bob’s a nasty little bugger. I remember him saying to me, ‘I could have written ‘Satisfaction,’ Keith – but you couldn’t have written ‘Desolation Row.’ I said, ‘Well, you’re right there, Bob!'” (2014)
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3. On The Band:
“The Band were just too strict. They sounded note for note like their records. They just didn’t seem to come alive by themselves.” (1969)
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4. On The Bee Gees:
“Well, they’re in their own little fantasy world. How many suits they’ve got and that kind of crap. It’s all kid stuff, isn’t it?” (1969)
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5. On Creedence Clearwater Revival:
“When I first heard [CCR], I was really knocked out. But I became bored with them very quickly. They’re so basic and simple that maybe it’s a little too much.” (1969)
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6. On The Grateful Dead:
“The Grateful Dead is where everybody got it wrong. Just poodling about for hours and hours. Jerry Garcia, boring shit, man.” (2015)
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7. On The Beatles’ ‘Sgt. Pepper’s’:
“It’s a mishmash of rubbish. There’s not a lot of roots in that music. I think they got carried away.” (2015)
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8. On Elton John:
“Lovely bloke, but posing.” (1988)
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9. On Guns N’ Roses:
“Their look – it’s like there’s one out of this band, one looks like Jimmy [Page], one looks like Ronnie [Wood]. Too much copycat, too much posing for me.” (1988)
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10. On Oasis:
“They’re crap.” (1997)
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11. On Prince:
“He’s got a problem with his attitude and it comes across on record. Prince has to find out what it means to be a prince.” (1983)
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12. On The Spice Girls:
“They’re really just a lot of tarts! Can they sing? No! Can they play? No! The world’s gone mad, it needs something like them.” (1996)
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13. On Mick Jagger:
“It seemed to me he had really gone off the tracks… I can’t recall all the jibes and barbs I let loose – Disco Boy, Jagger’s Little Jerk Off Band, why doesn’t he join Aerosmith?” (From his book ‘Life’)
14. On Mick Jagger (Again):
“He’s a great bunch of guys.” (Sarcastically referring to Mick Jagger’s solo band)
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15. On The Sex Pistols:
“I absolutely despise those turds. The Stones should have quit in 1965.” (Response to Sid Vicious)
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16. On David Bowie:
“It’s all pose. It’s all posing. It’s nothing to do with music. He knows it too.” (2008)
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17. On Justin Bieber:
“Let’s get one thing straight. You’re a wannabe.”
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18. On Taylor Swift:
“Good luck girl – wish her well while it lasts.”
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19. On The Beatles (Again):
“Chicks wore those guys out. They stopped touring in 1966; they were done already.”
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20. On Rap Music:
“I don’t really like to hear people yelling at me and telling me it’s music. I can get enough of that without leaving my house.”
