The early 60s was a magical time for music and especially Rock and Roll. It was when many incredible songwriters appeared at that time and helped to push the boundaries of how people made music. One of them was Keith Richards, who alongside his bandmate Mick Jagger wrote most of The Rolling Stones hits over the decades. Active for six decades, the band became one of the best-selling of all time. They have sold an estimated amount of more than 200 million records worldwide.
Besides being known for his musical talent, Richards is also remembered for being a very sincere person. So he always told the truth about what was his opinion on other artists. He criticized many of his peers but also praised a few, including one that he said is an inspiration.
The musician that Keith Richards said is an inspiration
When The Rolling Stones were formed in 1962 a real revolution was already happening in songwriting. The artists were seeing they could be successful writing about other things and not only about love. One of those musicians was Bob Dylan, who started his career in 1959 in the United States. He quickly became over the decades one of the most covered artists of all time.
Keith Richards has always been a huge fan of his work. He even said in an interview with Rolling Stone in 2011 that Dylan is an inspiration. “He’s the most prolific writer. I think he’s written more songs than I’ve had hot dinners. So, Bob, just keep ’em coming!”
“He’s an inspiration, really, to us all. Beyond even the songwriting, because he’s always trying to go somewhere new. I love the man and I love that he rock & rolls, too!” Keith Richards said.
The Stones covered the Bob Dylan classic song “Like a Rolling Stone” in 1995. That cover was featured on their live album “Stripped”. They also had the opportunity to share the stage many times performing covers and Dylan songs.
The guitarist said in his memoir “Life” that The Beatles and Dylan were the main artists who changed songwriting in the early 60s.
He was happy that Bob Dylan won the Nobel Prize
Songwriting rarely is considered something related to literature but the Nobel Prize for Literature showed in 2016 that songwriting is in the same universe of books and poems. The reason is that they decided that the legendary Bob Dylan should be the winner that year of the prize due to his incredible contribution as a songwriter.
There were people who criticized that choice and also the ones who supported it. Keith Richards was one who thought it was a good thing since in his opinion it was the first time that the songwriters were considered important in that universe. He talked about that in an interview with New York Post, saying: “I thought it was very far-reaching for the Nobel people to give Bob the prize for literature.”
“I think it’s the first time us songwriters have been begrudgingly let into the literary world. But that’s good. Especially because all those bastards like Shakespeare ever did was to steal songs and ballads from minstrels (medieval folk singers in England)!” Keith Richards said.
He remains a good friend and fan of Dylan as he told Rolling Stone in 2016 that he would work with Dylan anytime. “I’d work with Bob any(where). I’d work with Bob in hell or heaven. I love him,” Keith Richards said.
During more than six decades Bob Dylan recorded 40 studio albums and is one of the best-selling artists of all time. He has sold an estimated amount of more than 145 million records worldwide. Dylan was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 by Bruce Springsteen.