The way we experience music is constantly evolving. So, it is common for us to develop an interest in different genres over time and diversify our musical tastes. However, sometimes, no matter how hard we try, we can’t connect with some types of music or styles. It seems like the Rolling Stones icon Keith Richards has a handful of these sorts of experiences, considering his previous comments on various genres and artists.
For instance, in a 2015 interview, the veteran rocker targeted the rap genre by calling it tone-deaf people’s music and made it clear that he has never been a fan of rap despite its recent popularity. Richards’ harsh criticisms have not just been against different music forms, though. The musician also previously attacked many notable bands, including the Beatles. Keith slammed the band’s classic record ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ by calling it rubbish.
When it comes to Keith Richards, it is hard for any act to escape his sharp tongue. Not surprisingly, the guitarist also targeted Led Zeppelin members and the band’s sound a number of times. He once said that even though he respected Jimmy Page and his unique instrumental skills, he didn’t enjoy listening to Zeppelin as a band. In the same interview, the musician also criticized Robert Plant’s singing style and called it irritating.
Richards’ criticisms against Led Zeppelin were not limited to those as the guitarist also claimed that Zeppelin had been manufactured by the manager Peter Grant like many other bands. In an interview with Dean Goodman, Jimmy Page was asked about Keith’s comments about Zeppelin. Page was surprised to hear Richards’ calling them a ‘manufactured band’ and just replied, “Really?”
Then, the guitarist continued, “How can it be professionally put together? The way that it came together was so organic that that really surprised me. I thought he was quite an intuitive person, really. The only thing I’ve heard before that has ever reached my ears about Keith and Led Zeppelin was the fact that he liked the music, but he didn’t really enjoy Robert’s singing.”
Jimmy Page also added, “Well, that’s just a matter of taste, really, whether you do or you don’t. But I’ve never heard him being quite so scathing, and that’s quite interesting because I’ve actually played with Keith in the past, and I’ve had some good times with him, so I don’t really understand what that’s all about really. That’s one of those things that’s a bit confrontational just to see whether I’ll rise to the bait, but I don’t.”
Consequently, Jimmy Page denied Keith Richards’ observations about Led Zeppelin, claiming that they had actually come together in an organic way rather than just for professional purposes. In addition to that, the guitarist was surprised to hear such comments from Richards since they had worked and had a good time together in the past. Page still didn’t go too far and avoided any polemic with the Rolling Stones icon.
