The American band that Keith Richards said is brilliant

Keith Richards

Photos from J. Bouquet

The Rolling Stones was formed in 1962 and since then became one of the most successful bands of all time, being fronted until nowadays by the original members Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. Their first album was released in 1964 and it was the start of their praised career that influenced countless generations of musicians all over the world.

Part of the music business since the 60s, Richards had the chance to see the evolution of Rock and Roll up-close had always admired American artists. As his bandmates, he was inspired by many Blues artists who were born in the United States. But he also liked other groups that appeared around the same time as the Stones. He even mentioned once an American band that according to him composed brilliant songs.

The American band that Keith Richards said is brilliant

Although they are known as one of the most famous Rock and Roll bands of all time, The Rolling Stones music is rooted in Blues. Combining that genre with Rock and Roll, Keith, Mick, Charlie Watts, Brian Jones and Bill Wyman created their unique sound. Which was crucial to help them to sell more than 200 million records worldwide during the last six decades.

However, they all have a broad musical taste and were inspired by many different artists. Keith Richards, for example once called the compositions of The Beach Boys brilliant. He said, as pointed by Brian Wilson’s website: “Round, round get around / I get around” – I thought that was brilliant. Brian Wilson had something. ‘In My Room,’ ‘Don’t Worry Baby.’ I was more interested in their B-sides, the ones he slipped in.”

“There was no particular correlation with what we were doing so I could just listen to it on another level. I thought these are very well constructed songs,” Keith Richards said.

One of his favorite songs from The Rolling Stones

Brian Wilson is a huge fan of the Rolling Stones and already said that the British group is one of his favorites of all time. In an interview with Napster back in 2011 he even revealed which is one of their tracks he likes the most. (Transcribed by Rock and Roll Garage) “One of my favorite albums of all time is ‘Between The Buttons’.”

“Especifically one of the things in the album that blew me away the most was a song called ‘My Obsession’. I was invited down to the Rolling Stones studio the nigh they mixed (that song). I almost passed out because I could not believe that record. It was unbelievably groove of a record that I’ve ever heard in my life. We were all experimenting with different kinds of sounds,” Brian Wilson said.

He also listed that album as one that he can’t live without. He mentioned the record in an interview with Spin in 2021. Brian said: “At least for today…I’m thinking about this album. The song ‘My Obsession’ is, well, I’m obsessed with it,” Brian Wilson said.

Back in 2004, he talked with The New York Times and was asked if the Beach Boys were more artistically adventurous than the Rolling Stones. Wilson said that he thought both bands were the same when it came to that but that the Stones were better players.

“I think we’re about even. The Beach Boys were a pretty good singing group. But the Stones played their instruments better,” Brian Wilson said.

Rafael Polcaro: I'm a Brazilian journalist who always loved Classic Rock and Heavy Metal music. That passion inspired me to create Rock and Roll Garage over 6 years ago. Music has always been a part of my life, helping me through tough times and being a support to celebrate the good ones. When I became a journalist, I knew I wanted to write about my passions. After graduating in journalism from the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais, I pursued a postgraduate degree in digital communication at the same institution. The studies and experience in the field helped me improve the website and always bring the best of classic rock to the world! MTB: 0021377/MG