KEITH

I'm gonna try to keep a straight face while bringing up The Rolling Stones. It's only 2011, not too late, is it?

See, what happened was, I read this book called "Sway", and it's about the Stones, Charles Manson and Kenneth Anger. The name Rolling Stones doesn't appear anywhere in the book as long as I can recall, which is not very long. They're just Mick and Keith and Brian. Charlie isn't mentioned, he's just "the drummer". But I'm gonna mention Charlie: man, is he the funniest drummer you've ever seen or what? He's a good guy, I'm sure, but when he drums he looks like a ventriloquist doll. That face he makes, the way he moves it's like he's a wind-up toy, it's so funny. That and he sometimes talks.

Anyway.

I read this book and Mick and Keith suddenly became very real to me, vivid characters with lives and thoughts and moods. I loved them, especially Keith. But, you know, what's there left to say about Keith? He's just cool. There, end of story. I can't really pretend that I get him. He strikes me as a hugely talented and introverted guy who got tougher and cooler with every joint and every fucked up live show. Just went out there and did his thing, charismatic, graceful and passionate, no matter what sort of shit was going on around him. This guy has grace, man. And that's a hard one for a guy. But just look at him making love with that guitar, the way he touches it, man... He says that being in the Stones, the live shows, never got old and boring for him, cause he just loves what he's doing. I'll fucking bet.

I've been watching live shows and documentaries lately and they're fucking amazing. I couldn't help but wonder what the Beatles would have done had they been at Altamont. The shit went down famously there. I was watching "Gimme Shelter" and I was fascinated. By everything. By the bands, the music, the violence, the energy, the way Mick tried to handle the situation, the Hell's Angels and their 500$ worth of beer deal, the way people felt in '69, everything. That's one huge chunk of rock history right there. It's been called the anti-Woodstock, right? And you can certainly see why.

But time for some music. No obscure b-sides, I'm not quite there yet. But these following songs have become iconic for very good reasons: ............. fuck it, I'm speechless, just listen.

The Rolling Stones - Sympathy For The Devil (live)
 

Did you hear that in the beginning, "Paint It Black, you devil!"? Some drunk chick making my day some 40 years ago. 40! Feels like yesterday, man, and I'm only 35.

And that solo. Oh, Keith is having fun. But but but! Have you seen Martin Scorsese's "Shine A Light"? I loved that one because they were old, you know, nothing left to proove anymore, let's just jam, motherfucker. That one with Buddy Guy - "Champagne & Reefer" by Muddy Waters - boy, oh, boy. One of the coolest things I've ever seen in my life. Keith's cigarette, the guitar thing at the end....fuck that was good. And "Loving Cup" with Jack White? Pfff, fuck it, let's just call it a day.

Now one for the drunk chick in the front row there:

The Rolling Stones - Paint It Black (live)

I've loved this song for a million years. I loved Eric Burdon's version, both brilliant and hilarious, but the original is simply glorious. Hear that bass towards the end, man, going crazy in his corner. And Keith's smile when he plays that intro. Mastercard, I swear :))

Oh, here's one of my favorite Keith moments:

I think that one speaks volumes. He may not look it, but the guy thinks on his feet. His explanation was that he had to cover Mick's back, that's his job. He also said that he personally bailed that guy out of jail afterwards, 200$. One tough, loyal cookie.

I could go on and on, but books have already been written on the subject. One of which I am supposed to recieve one of these days soon: "Life" by Keith Richards. Never had this little word weighted so much, eh? He should've called the book "Keith" (or Keef, for big breasted groupies), would've been just as revealing and all-encompassing.

Here's one last beautiful song.

The Rolling Stones - You Can't Always Get What You Want

P.S. Next band project will probably be The Who. That Keith Moon was quite a card, wasn't he?

P.P.S. I'm getting there, I'm getting there. As I go back in time the music just gets better and better, there's no reason to stop, really.
P.P.P.S. I pray it'll never come to that, but if I had a gun to my head and a pitbull hanging off my cock, I would have to say the Stones rather than the Beatles. Good thing I can enjoy both without too much fuss.