We all love discussing top bands of all-time but when Keith Richards speaks, we need to take a step back and listen. In an interview with Living Legends, the legendary guitarist listed some of his favorite bands from across the globe.
Even when he didn’t like them, Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones never held back when it came to sharing his thoughts on other musicians and bands. Richards and Mick Jagger answered fans’ queries in a YouTube project called “Living Legends” back in 2008, and Keith Richards compiled a list of the four greatest bands of all time.
Elvis
“I would start personally with probably The Hillbily Cats, Elvis band. Scotty Moore (Guitar), D.J Fontana (Drums) and Bill Black (Bass). The most amazing stuff and it was very early on.”
Keith Richards lauded the Elvis Presley Presley Band in 2001 when appearing on the television show Classic Albums.
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“I was just as interested in the band as I was in Elvis. So I just considered him to be part of it, you know, Bill Black, Scotty Moore and D.J. Because of the early ones (Elvis albums) dind’t had drums on it, this is the funny thing he is the king of Rock and Roll and some of his earlier records don’t actually have drums.”
Dave Bartholomew’s band
David Louis Bartholomew was an American musician, bandleader, composer, arranger, and record producer who died on June 23, 2019, at the age of 98. He was born on December 24, 1918, in New York City. Throughout the second part of the twentieth century, he was a notable figure in New Orleans’ music scene. When he was a young man, he began his career as a jazz trumpeter and went on to perform in a wide range of musical styles, from rhythm and blues to big band, swing, rock & roll, and New Orleans jazz. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction described him as “one of the Crescent City’s best musicians and a real pioneer in the revolution of the rock and roll era” in his acceptance speech.
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Although Bartholomew’s songs have been recorded by a variety of artists, his biggest success came from his collaboration with Fats Domino. Ain’t That a Shame,” which peaked at number one on the Billboard pop chart in the mid-1950s, was one among their many Imperial Records singles during this time period. “I Hear You Knocking,” “Blue Monday,” “I’m Walking,” “My Ding-a-Ling,” and “One Night” are among Bartholomew’s other well-known compositions. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame, among other organizations.
The Beatles
“John was a particularly dear buddy of mine,” Richards remarked in 2003 in response to a fan’s question on his Ask Keith area of his website. The stories we can’t tell each other (laughs). In addition to George, we had Paul (a talented songwriter) and Ringo, who was a joy to work with (beat). They came to see us perform at the Station Hotel in Richmond, where we were playing a pub gig.
Steve Marriott
Small Faces (1965–1968 and 1975–1978) and Humble Pie (1969–1975 and 1979–1983) vocalist guitarist Steve Marriott spent more than two decades in the music industry. As a member of Small Faces, Marriott was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012.
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Marriott died on April 20, 1991, when a fire in his 16th-century Arkesden, Essex, mansion, which authorities believe was started by a cigarette, claimed his life. For his outstanding contribution to British music, he got an Ivor Novello Award in 1996; he also appeared on Mojo’s list of the 100 best vocalists of all time.
Conclusion
There you have it straight from Keith Richards, the guitarist that gave us amazing albums like Exile on Main St and Some Girls. How many of these are in your top 5 list of greatest bands of all-time?
