"BO DIDDLEY was university for me"... Keith Richards shines a light on his roots
In an interview published today (Wednesday April 2nd 2008) in "Rolling Stone" magazine, Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones describes how watching BO DIDDLEY perform on-stage in 1963 "was university for me".
In the article, written by Senior Editor David Fricke ahead of the Friday April 4th 2008 release of the new Rolling Stones' concert movie "Shine A Light", the Rolling Stones and Jack White of the White Stripes shine a light on the roots of their music.
Describing the Rolling Stones' Fall 1963 tour of the UK with BO DIDDLEY, The Everly Brothers and Little Richard, Keith Richards declares:
"I learned more in those six weeks than I would have learned from listening to a million records".
When asked what was the primary lesson he learned on the lengthy UK tour, which ran from late September thru early November 1963, Keith responds:
"Stagecraft - what works and how to feel comfortable on-stage.
"The Everly Brothers were superb every night - those beautiful harmonies. We'd open, then climb the rafters and hang there, watching them.
"Watching BO DIDDLEY was university for me. Every set was twenty minutes long in those days. When he came off, if he had two strings left on the guitar, it was a (expletive deleted) miracle. The Duchess was there (on guitar) and Jerome Green, with the maracas in each hand. It was my job to be Jerome's minder. I used to fetch him from the pub - "You're on, mate"".
Directed by Martin Scorsese, "Shine A Light" captures the Rolling Stones in their current feral prime in breathtaking close-up. Scorsese shot the band in 2006, during two intimate shows at New York's Beacon Theatre, with guest appearances by Christina Aguilera, Buddy Guy and Jack White.
The David Fricke "Blood Brothers" interview with the Rolling Stones and Jack White is published in "Rolling Stone" magazine, (issue #1050), cover date Thursday April 17th 2008.
