Keith Richards in Rock & Folk : complete interview
Date: December 18, 2004 19:39
KR : hi Philippe (Manoeuvre, an infamous french rock critic), i'm fine, got only 10 minutes late. I'm in England, my first visit since 1 year.
R&F : why this Live Cd, the 9th, why not a studio album?
KR : We currently are finishing the new album.It will be recorded in a studio or not.Nowadays, you don't need a studio.We record here and there like we did for EOMStreet.You can do it anywhere.
So i just did a long writing-songs-session with Mick in his mansion (Pocé sur Cisse near Amboise by the river Loire - notes from Marclaff).We could record the album there, i'll be back in a couple of weeks.There is something goin' on with Mick, we work very easily together and we have a good time.Beware, you never know what will be released but at the moment the process is fascinating.
R&F : Next tour in 2005?
The idea is to finish the album this winter, release it springtime and tour next summer.It's what we gonna try to do.
R&F : What about Charlie?
Saw him last week, he looked fine.He asked me : when will we be on the road again?
R&F : What about your guitar playing?
My playing changes and i don't even notice it.Growing up they said.Hope to become adult one day (laughs).
R&F : The best moment is CYHMK
To rearrange an old song is a real pleasure.
R&F : You sing 3 songs
The more you sing, the more you like to sing.Singing was my first job : soprano in a choral.But i can't control my voice.
R&F : Who decides the setlist?
Always Mick, he sings, he chooses.Then Ron, Charlie or myself suggest a couple of songs but the singer is the engine, he must choose.
R&F : Is there a song you can't play on stage?
Clearly, a song works when everybody wants to play it.We spent many tours without Satisfaction because nobody "felt" the song.
R&F : After India and Hong Kong, where do you want to go?
China and North Korea but the shows in India were wonderful.It's important to play in new places
R&F : I wonder why, from the stage, the audience stays a black hole.
No, it's weird, some details change but when the Stones are playing, we create a bubble, an other world for 2 hours.
R&F : The best show from last tour?
Festival in Toronto, i thought i was in Hyde Park again.Some clubs were fantastic.Give me a stage, anywhere, anytime, i want to play.I didn't miss a Stones concert until now.
R&F : Are you proud of a specific solo in Live Licks?
Gasp, solos, somebody had to do it, i prefer leave them to Ron.I care about the ones on SFTD.Soloing is like a flight but the problem is still "how to touch down?"
R&F : What is the secret of your longevity?
If there was a secret, i did not tell it.What's a band? People wanting to play together, the ones in my band are interesting, i want to know where they want to go.As long as we surprise each others.
R&F : Next december 18th, you'll be 62 (not Marclaff's mistake), what do you expect?
KR : Hope to reach 69.
R&F : Are you acting with J Depp?
KR : We talked together last week, we talked a lot.Negociations. I'm wearing his boots today, gorgeous green leather boots, we used to trade our wardrobe.
R&F : there is a movie about Brian, what do you think?
KR : i believe i already know the story.It's a stange affair which is still a mystery for me.Brian didn't go well and people around him had absolutly no sympathy for his problems.Brian dug his own grave.
R&F : Do you want to write a biography like Dylan?
KR : yes, i do!The first part will be released in 2020...BTW, i liked to try to remember my life.
R&F : On the road, what do you need?
KR : my music, it's crucial, some scarves to recover the lamps in the hotel and some T-shirts.Don't forget some jewels and knives.
R&F : Last tour, you were the only one drinking and maybe more, is it a problem with the others?
KR : That's their problem, not mine (demonish laughs)
R&F : Do you talk 'bout drugs with your children?
Sure, i say : take only good stuff.They smoke weed and then? Let's show them how to roll a joint, otherwise what's the use of a father?????
R&F : what are you listening to at the moment?
KR : Lee Perry, there are too many things about his ideas to conceive the hope of the sound.He knows how to use silence, he is a great painter (Marclaff doesn't quite understand).