WebProNews

Tag: Keith Richards

  • Keith Richards Continues to Slam Classic Bands

    Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards has made headlines with some interesting comments about classic bands.

    The latest targets of Richards’ ire are contemporaries Led Zeppelin and The Who.

    Talking to Rolling Stone, Richards called Zeppelin “hollow” and said The Who’s lead singer Roger Daltrey is “all flash.”

    “I love [Led Zeppelin guitarist] Jimmy Page, but as a band, no, with John Bonham thundering down the highway in an uncontrolled 18-wheeler. He had cornered the market there. Jimmy is a brilliant player. But I always felt there was something a little hollow about it, you know?”

    He also took a shot at late Who drummer Keith Moon.

    “[Moon] could play to Pete like nobody else in the world. But if somebody threw him into a session with somebody else, it was a disaster. There’s nothing wrong with that; sometimes you’ve got that one paintbrush, and you rock it.”

    Fightin’ words for sure.

    This isn’t new for Richards, who recently dismissed Metallica and Black Sabbath.

    “Millions are in love with Metallica and Black Sabbath. I just thought they were great jokes,” he said.

    He also went after an entire genre of music, calling rap fans “tone deaf.”

    “What rap did that was impressive was to show there are so many tone-deaf people out there All they need is a drum beat and somebody yelling over it and they’re happy. There’s an enormous market for people who can’t tell one note from another.”

    Keith, @ronniewood and @eltonjohn at the @GQ Men of the Year Awards

    A photo posted by Keith Richards (@officialkeef) on

    Not even The Beatles are safe from Keith Richards’ scorn.

    “The Beatles sounded great when they were the Beatles,” he told Rolling stone in August. “But there’s not a lot of roots in that music. I think they got carried away. Why not? If you’re the Beatles in the Sixties, you just get carried away – you forget what it is you wanted to do. You’re starting to do Sgt. Pepper. Some people think it’s a genius album, but I think it’s a mishmash of rubbish, kind of like Satanic Majesties – ‘Oh, if you can make a load of shit, so can we.’”

    Richards just released his third solo album, Crosseyed Heart.

  • Keith Richards: Sgt. Pepper Was ‘A Mishmash of Rubbish’

    Keith Richards has been around in the rock and roll game for so long, he can pretty much say whatever he wants. He was around for it all, and outlived most of the players.

    Nowadays, even with the extended set list the Rolling Stones have to play, Richards hangs in there just fine.

    “I can handle the show,” Keith Richards told Esquire. “In the 60s, it was 20 minutes, in and out. Now it’s two hours. I don’t come off as exhausted as I used to 10 years ago, because I learn more about how to pace a show. I don’t think about the physical aspects — I just expect it all to work. I’m blessed physically with stamina. The frame still holding. I eat the same as I always have. Meat and potatoes, basically, with a nice bit of fish now and again. My wife tries to force more salad down me, but I’d rather take the pill.”

    Richards credits his stamina to something almost drug-like.

    “Adrenaline is probably the only drug left to us, the one that draws us back as much as anything – although there is something about playing with this bunch of guys. Is it habit? Is it just the length of time we’ve been doing it? But when we start rehearsing, I always find this incredible enthusiasm among them all – especially this tour. It’s been a great feeling from show one.”

    All that adrenaline has been there for the Stones from the beginning. But in the early days, Richards says, it was certainly hyper-sexual.

    “When you’re on the receiving end of the early reaction to the band, it’s quite obvious it’s primal and sexual and beyond any reason. They certainly didn’t come for the music. Especially in those days – there were no PAs. And 3000 screaming chicks could just whale you out of the whole place. Just looking at the crowd, you could see them dragging the checks out, sweating, screaming, convulsing. Astonishing, even at that age. At the same time, a whole roomful of chicks yelling at you is not so shabby, either. Because the year before, nobody would look at you.”

    Keith Richards says that all that mania directed at a band can cause damage, and even lead to a band checking out on touring.

    “But they talk about us – the Beatles, those chicks wore those guys out. They stop touring in 1966 – they were done already. They were ready to go to India and shit.”

    A guy like Keith Richards, who was around for it all, has earned license to have his own opinion about what he saw, even if that opinion might be at odds with the rest of the world. For example, Richards has his own opinion about what many consider to be one of the best albums ever.

    “The Beatles sounded great when they were the Beatles. But there’s not a lot of roots in that music. I think they got carried away. Why not? If you were the Beatles in the 60s, you just get carried away – you forget what it is you wanted to do. You’re starting to do Sgt. Pepper. Some people think it’s a genius album, but I think it’s a mishmash of rubbish …”

    But Keith Richards interjects that his own band was just as guilty of it.

    “… kind of like Satanic Majesties – ‘Oh, if you can make a load of shit, so can we.’”

  • Bruce Willis Turns 60, Celebrates With Keith Richards And Tony Bennett

    Hollywood action star Bruce Willis rocked hard with a celebrity-studded 60th birthday party at the Harlow in New York City.

    Talk about an action-packed way of marking a milestone! Willis danced all night long with his loving wife, Emma Heming-Willis and kids Scout and Tallulah.

    E! News previously disclosed plans on Willis’ birthday bash and covered the details of the NYC party on Saturday. Sources say that it “was an amazing event in New York City.”

    “It was a perfect celebration filled with old friends and family from Bruce Willis past and present. His wife and Bruce were really affectionate throughout the whole night. You can tell she gets along great with his kids. She was by his side all night and they danced throughout the evening,” the source added.

    It seemed that the Harlow could have done with a red carpet as Willis’ guests turn up to celebrate the actor’s 60 wonderful years. The Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards, Tony Bennett and actress Patti Hensen were also present for the event.

    “A few people could not show, like Bill Murray, Demi Moore and Rumer Willis, who really wanted to be there and show love for Bruce,” the insider continues.

    The stars enjoyed stations of scrumptious Harlow hor d’oeuvres which included sirloin, pasta, crab croquette, Hamachi crudo, mac and cheese balls and vegetable skewers.

    “Everyone had a ball dancing the night away. When the birthday cake came everyone sang happy birthday including Tony Bennett. It was a 60th birthday to remember!”

    Emma and Willis were seen having a great time together all night. Emma posted photos of the event on her Instagram account saying, “It’s fair to say the birthday boy had a great time. #BWBirthdayBash.” The photo collage titled “Bee Dub’s 60th.”

    Willis married Emma in 2009 and has two daughters with her.

  • Tallulah Willis and Sister Scout Laud Dad Bruce Willis at 60th Birthday Bash

    Tallulah Willis and her sister Scout were just two of many people who attended a 60th birthday bash for their father, Bruce Willis, at Harlow in New York City this weekend. The Die Hard actor, along with his wife Emma Heming, were in the company of family members and friends, including Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones and singer Tony Bennett.

    Scout and Tallulah Willis are the daughters of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore. Willis has three daughters with Moore. Scout Willis was in L.A. over the weekend, however, preparing for this week’s performances on Dancing With the Stars.

    Even though Rumer couldn’t be there in person, she sent a sweet birthday message to Bruce Willis via Instagram. It was a throwback to his Moonlighting days with actress Cybill Shepherd.

    “To the slickest guy I know, Happy 60th Papa. I love you so much. Thank you for teaching me how to be as fun, smart and goofy as you. I am so grateful to call you my dad,” she captioned the photo.

    A photo posted by Rumer Willis (@ruelarue) on

    Tallulah Willis shared an extra dose of birthday love with her dad via Twitter. She posted a photo of herself with a much younger Bruce Willis, cuddling on the floor in their home.

    Bruce Willis must feel incredibly blessed to be celebrating his 60th birthday, and to be loved by daughters Rumer, Scout, and Tallulah Willis. He also shares two girls with his wife Emma Heming. How wonderful that most of the family could be together to share this milestone with the Die Hard actor.

  • Bruce Willis Turns 60: Scout and Tallulah Willis, Wife Emma Heming, Keith Richards Attend Bash

    Bruce Willis turned 60 last week, and his family and some very special guests all came together to celebrate his big day. Daughters (he has three with ex-wife Demi Moore and two with wife Emma Heming) Scout and Tallulah Willis were on hand, but Rumer Willis was busy rehearsing for this week’s competition on Dancing With the Stars. Of course wife Emma Heming was there as well, along with Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones. Singer Tony Bennett was on hand, too. If ever there was an eclectic mix of party guests, Bruce Willis takes the cake for gathering them at his birthday party.

    The Die Hard star and his guests celebrated in New York City at Harlow, and Emma Heming shared several photos of the birthday fun.

    Heming captioned this first shot, “It’s fair to say the birthday boy had a great time. #BWBirthdayBash,” as well as the collage title “Bee Dub’s 60th.”

    Emma Heming captioned this next photo, “At least someone was taking pics. Thank you @jmtaekman #BWBirthdayBash.”

    This shot proved that the romance is alive and well in Bruce Willis and Emma Heming’s marriage. After having two children together, it’s nice to see them celebrating and dancing.

    And how about that guest list? Who but Bruce Willis could have people like Keith Richards and Tony Bennett attend his 60th birthday party?

    It’s hard to believe–especially if you’re a Die Hard fan–that Bruce Willis is 60. He wears his age well, however, and will no doubt be entertaining fans for many years to come.

  • Rolling Stones Saxophonist Dies at 70

    Rolling Stones Saxophonist Dies at 70

    Bobby Keys, the legendary saxophonist who toured and appeared on albums with the Rolling Stones, passed away on Tuesday at his Franklin, Tennessee home, after battling a lengthy illness. He was 70.

    Known for his blistering solos, most notably on the Rolling Stones’ 1971 hit “Brown Sugar,” Keys also at times led the horn section when the band went into the studio or toured. Keys played on every Stones record from 1969 until 1974 and from 1980 to his death, and played live on all tours since 1970.

    Born in Slaton, Texas in 1943, Keys began performing as a teenager, and played with Buddy Holly, John Lennon, George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Joe Cocker and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

    The band said in a statement, “The Rolling Stones are devastated by the loss of their very dear friend and legendary saxophone player, Bobby Keys. Bobby made a unique musical contribution to the band since the 1960s. He will be greatly missed.”

    Keys was also a close friend of Stones guitarist Keith Richards. There is footage of him and Richards throwing a television set from the 10th floor of a hotel during the 1972 American Tour, as seen in the Stones’ unreleased 1972 concert movie Cocksucker Blues.

    Richards penned a small eulogy:

    The Rolling Stones – “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking,” featuring Bobby Keys:

    Keys once told Rolling Stone Magazine that he never learned to read music. “That’s not where I come from musically. I come strictly from feeling, and that feeling comes from rock ‘n’ roll,” the musician remarked.

    Keys once related his struggles with heroin addiction in the autobiography Every Night’s a Saturday Night. Nashville rock veteran Michael Webb said Keys had a liver condition and had been in and out of the hospital over the past two months.

  • Rolling Stones Death: Saxophonist Bobby Keys Dies at 70

    Bobby Keys, the legendary saxophonist for The Rolling Stones, died early Tuesday at his home in Franklin, Tennessee. He was 70.

    Michael Webb, the keyboardist in Keys’ band, the Suffering Bastards, announced Keys’ death. Suffering from cirrhosis of the liver, Keys missed the Stones’ October and November tour dates in Australia and New Zealand and was replaced by veteran saxophonist Karl Denson.

    Keys began his career with Buddy Holly when he was only 16. Throughout his career, he worked with an eclectic group of musicians, which included John Lennon, B.B. King, Maroon 5, George Harrison, AC/DC, Barbra Streisand and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

    It was his highly recognizable solo on The Rolling Stones‘ 1971 classic, Brown Sugar, that helped solidify a lasting name for himself in the music industry.

    Post by Bobby Keys.

    The Rolling Stones released a statement, and posted it on Twitter, on Tuesday following the announcement of his death.

    Keith Richards, with whom Keys shares the same birthdate, Dec. 18,1943, posted his own tribute on Facebook.

    Post by Keith Richards.

    Born in Slaton, Texas, Keys found his inspiration to take up the sax in R&B sax legend King Curtis.

    Keys first encountered The Rolling Stones at a San Antonio concert while touring with Bobby Vee in 1964. He made his recording debut with the band on the 1969 album, Let It Bleed, and was featured on every subsequent album by the band through 1974’s It’s Only Rock and Roll.

    Keys was dropped by the band in 1973 because of his heavy partying and it wasn’t until the 1989’s Steel Wheels tour that he returned to the band.

    Despite giving up the majority of drugs and alcohol, Keys continued to smoke marijuana regularly.

  • Marianne Faithfull Hospitalized with Broken Hip

    Singer and songwriter Marianne Faithfull was on vacation in Greece when she fell and broke her hip Friday. The extent of her injury required hospitalization and surgery on Sunday, according to a surgeon.

    The British native apparently fell on the Eastern Aegean island of Rhodes.

    “Mrs Faithfull fractured her hip as a result of a fall. She underwent a successful surgery. Tomorrow, we will try to help her get up and we assess she needs to stay in hospital for about a week”, Alexandros Pittas, the orthopedic surgeon that operated on the singer told AFP.

    The 67-year-old pop and rock singer — and ex-lover of Rolling Stones‘ frontman, Mick Jagger — became a star in the sixties and seventies with the first song ever written by Jagger and Keith Richards, As Tears Go By. They apparently gave it to Faithfull because in the early days, the Rolling Stones didn’t perform ballads. However, after the success of the song by Faithfull, they recorded their own version.

    Faithfull’s five-decade career in music — as well as some film and stage acting — often took a backseat to stories of drug abuse and a difficult personal life.

    She has also battled various health issues, including breast cancer, Hepatitis C and a broken back she suffered in August 2013, which forced her to cancel several shows.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • L’Wren Scott Memorialized in Song by Mick Jagger

    L’Wren Scott was memorialized in an emotional service on Friday in New York City at St. Bartholomew’s Church in Manhattan. Her boyfriend of 13 years, Mick Jagger, paid tribute to her by singing a solo of her favorite song–Just Like A Woman–during the memorial. The Bob Dylan song was a favorite of Scott’s.

    The service also include very moving speeches given by Mick Jagger along with Sarah Jessica Parker, Ellen Barkin, and fashion personality Andre Leon Talley. Although Jagger broke down at one point he did his best to keep his stories as lighthearted as possible.

    Among his lighter tales was one about L’Wren Scott’s complete unfamiliarity with most of the Rolling Stones’ hit songs. Jagger joked that she kept asking him throughout a show that featured the classic songs if Gimme Shelter was playing yet.

    Mick Jagger’s son James Jagger read a poem at the memorial and his grandchildren Mazie and Zak, who referred to L’Wren Scott as “Glammy” read the 21st Psalm.

    Notable celebrities in attendance included Keith Richards, Meg Ryan, Patty Smythe, Renee Zellweger, Martin Scorsese, John McEnroe, Julianne Moore, Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter, and Vogue editor Anna Wintour.

    Vogue produced a short YouTube tribute to Scott following her passing.

    L’Wren Scott committed suicide in her New York City apartment back on March 17th. She was 49 years old.

    The memorial service was followed by a reception. Fans lined the streets as celebrities were arriving and leaving the service in an effort to snap some photos.

    A small private funeral was held for L’Wren Scott back in March.

    Hopefully Mick Jagger and those who loved the fashion designer can find some closure following her untimely tragic death and move forward with their lives. Suicide is probably the most difficult type of death for survivors to process as they are forever left with the question, “Why?”

    Image via YouTube

  • Keith Richards Is Releasing A Children’s Book This Fall

    While it may seem like an odd move to a number of people, Keith Richards is writing a children’s book. It had been a rumor for a little while, which certainly got some people excited, and the news has finally been confirmed.

    Keith Richards has had a bit of a wild life, to put it mildly, as one of the founding members of the legendary rock group, The Rolling Stones. With the announcement of his new book, it seems that he is trying to connect with a new type of audience, or perhaps have his old fans have something to read to their children, or grandchildren.

    The book will be a collaborative effort between Richards, Barnaby Harris and Bill Shapiro for the writing portion, and will also feature illustrations by his daughter, Theodora Richards. It is due to be released this fall, and can be seen in stores on September 9th.

    Speaking on the decision to write a children’s book, the famous rock guitarist said “The bond, the special bond, between kids and grandparents is unique and should be treasured. This is a story of one of those magical moments. May I be as great a grandfather as Gus was to me.”

    Keith Richards inked a deal with the publishing company Little, Brown Books for Young Readers to publish his book, which will be titled Gus & Me: The Story of My Granddad and My First Guitar.

    Post by Keith Richards.

    It is an autobiographical tale that he tells about him and his grandfather, and how he was inspiration to him. The children’s book will be filled with pictures, and also tales from Richards’ childhood, specifically his time spent with Theodore Augustus Dupree, who was in a jazz band.

    His grandfather often went by Gus when he was alive, but his first name was also the inspiration for his daughter Theodora. Richards has five children in total, and he just became a grandfather for the fifth time.

    The new children’s book from Keith Richards could be a great way for the baby boom generation, the generation that was such a big part of his early career, to connect with their grandchildren in a special way. This will be the second book from the Rolling Stones guitarist, and he previously published a memoir called Life.

    Image via Facebook

  • Keith Richards Celebrates Another Birthday

    And here I thought the only person I needed to wish a “Happy Birthday” to today was going to be my best friend (Shout out Heather!), but it seems I need to send one to The Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards.

    The famed rocker turned 70 Wednesday, and many didn’t think he would make it this far thanks to his life of excess – drugs, alcohol and his love of cigarettes. He himself has even said, “I was number 1 on the who’s likely to die list for 10 years … I was really disappointed when I fell off that list.”

    But aging isn’t something that seems to bother Richards, “We age not by holding on to youth, but by letting ourselves grow and embracing whatever youthful parts remain.”

    December 18 isn’t just special to Richards because it’s his birthday, it also happens to be his 30th wedding anniversary. On this date in 1983 Richards married Patti Hansen. Richards and the former model have two daughters together. Richards also has three children from a former relationship with Italian actress Anita Pallenberg.

    Many have already taken to Twitter to wish Richards a “Happy Birthday.”

    If you would like to wish Richards a “Happy Birthday” you can take to Twitter or you can go to his website to wish him one or even congratulate him on his 30th anniversary to his wife Patti.

    Richards will soon be embarking on the “14 on Fire” tour with his Rolling Stones bandmates – Mick Jagger, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood. The tour will also include Mick Taylor as a special guest. Taylor played with The Rolling Stones from 1969 to 1974. The tour begins in Abu Dhabi on February 21.

    It seems Richards will never give up rock and roll, and fans couldn’t be happier about it. In Richards’ 2010 autobiography Life he said, “People say ‘why don’t you give it up?’ I don’t think they quite understand. I’m not doing it just for the money, or for you. I’m doing it for me.”

    Image via Richards’ official Twitter account.