Keith Richards | Howard Stern Interview

What happened in this episode?

Howard Stern conducts an extensive, intimate conversation with Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards to promote the band's new album Hackney Diamonds, their first studio album in years. The wide-ranging interview reveals Richards' unfiltered opinions on rock history, his songwriting partnership with Mick Jagger, and the creative tensions within the band. Richards dismisses celebrated drummers Keith Moon and John Bonham as limited players who just like to hit things, contrasting them with the late Charlie Watts' intelligence and feel. He admits he never listened to rock bands that followed the Stones, calling acts like Cream and Deep Purple boring. Richards reveals that Mick Jagger replaced his vocal on the new album track Tell Me Straight despite Richards wanting to keep his more personal version, and that Jagger refuses to perform beloved songs like Let It Loose live. The guitarist discusses his five-string open tuning innovation, his devotion to American blues masters like Chuck Berry and Muddy Waters, and how the Stones sold that music back to America. Richards shares stories about Phil Spector confronting him with a shotgun over Ronnie Spector, his complicated relationship with Brian Jones including stealing Jones' girlfriend Anita Pallenberg, and his lifelong marriage to Patti Hansen. He reflects on aging, missing Charlie Watts daily, his grandfather teaching him guitar as a boy, and how altered states of consciousness aided his songwriting. Richards calls Mick Jagger difficult to work with but admits his job is to write songs that interest the lead singer, and if he fails at that, it's his own fault. The conversation captures Richards' mix of artistic brilliance, brutal honesty, and rock and roll swagger while revealing the interpersonal dynamics that have sustained and strained the Rolling Stones for six decades.

What are the key points?

• Keith Richards says Mick Jagger replaced his vocal on new album track Tell Me Straight despite Richards wanting to keep his more personal version
• Richards dismisses Keith Moon and John Bonham as limited drummers who just like to hit things, calling Charlie Watts superior for his intelligence and feel
• Richards admits he never listened to rock bands that followed the Stones, finding Cream, Deep Purple and heavy metal boring
• Richards reveals Mick Jagger refuses to perform fan favorite Let It Loose live despite it being emotionally powerful for many listeners
• Phil Spector confronted Richards with a shotgun out of jealousy over Ronnie Spector during a Ronettes tour, Richards jokes Spector was a lousy shot
• Richards stole Brian Jones' girlfriend Anita Pallenberg to protect her from Jones' violence, creating lasting band tension and having two children together
• Richards credits his grandfather Gus with introducing him to guitar as a boy and considers altered states of consciousness essential to his songwriting process

Which topics are covered?

How is this page sourced?

Programme

Howard Stern

Published

11 July 2026

Duration

1h 10m

Original episode

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