Many people seem to have strong opinions either way concerning Keith. Many feel that through his many influences that he has helped define what Rock and Roll is and the whole lifestyle as it were while others dismiss him as being an overrated hack whose personal life supercedes what he has actually accomplished musically throughout his carrear.

What are your opinions about one of the most well-known icons of Rock and Roll?

To me, he will alway deserve at least some credit for the defining riff on 'Satisfaction' and for creating one of the greatest opening sounds of a song in rock history, 'Gimme Shelter'.
[Edited 12/4/06 21:47pm]

PurpleJam said:

Gee, Mr Jam, are you trying to start fires or something ... ?

Keith's "legend" is pretty much assured, but he's been on cruise-control for years though.

both.

Shapeshifter said:

Of course not, I am just stating the opinions that many people have made about Keith over time. And as I mentioned, I believe that 'Gimme Shelter' has some of the greatest most understated lead guitar lines in rock music history.
[Edited 12/5/06 0:09am]

are you kidding?

Poster-child for drug abuse survivor, but you can't deny his excellence at guitar (and I'm not a Stones fan in the slightest).

PFunkjazz said:

And poster-child for the life-affirming powers of alcoholism.

Well, he did co-write virtually every Stones song!

Shapeshifter said:

and falling out of coconut trees!

Wasn't Rock and Roll well DEFINED before the Stones came along?

Graycap23 said:

and The Beatles & Hendrix too, but maybe there's always room for new definitions

Keith is hugely influenced by Chuck Berry, but he doesn't sound much like him to me. His riffs are much weirder. Simple but hard to play.

PFunkjazz said:

...At least he admits to basing a portion of his style on Chuck Berry riffs.


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

Graycap23 said:

No one is saying that the stones started or were the first rock and roll act, but what they added to the whole artform was enormous and highly influential to many who came after them.

PurpleJam said:

Just checking. It was implied in a couple of posts.

Graycap23 said:

No. No. No.

Also, cant forget about his great star performance on 'Monkey Man'. Special mention must also go to Nicky Hopkins for his gorgeous piano intro on that track.

I was at the Stones show in Vancouver a few weeks ago, and if there was ever any doubt in my mind of the Coolness of Keith, it's gone now. He's got that indefinable Something that most people only wish they had. When Mick took his turns at introducing everyone on stage to the audience (as if we didn't know who's show we were at. Maybe it was to remind himself? ) Keith received a standing ovation that lasted well over 5 minutes. The guy just stood there with his hands in his pockets, looking at his feet. When the crowd finally started to settle down, he said "I don't know what to say...or do....must be the brain damage."

meow85 said:

I remember that too. Keith got way, way, way more applause than anyone else in the band. It just went on and on. Thanks for reminding me, I forgot about that.

heartbeatocean said:

You were there too?



But your profile says you're in Cali...?

Well, that's cool anyway.


Was I imagining things, or does Jagger have a tramp stamp now? And more importantly -WHY?

meow85 said:

No. I saw a different show in St. Paul, Minnesota in 2004. But they did the same thing. Mick went around and introduced each member of the band and when it came to Keith, the crowd just went nuts and he just had to stand with his hands in his pockets, so to speak, forever it seemed, shrugging and smiling. His applause lasted way longer than the applause for the other guys.

Overrated.

Dig Mick.....don't get the love 4 Keith.

stopHATING said:

I co-sign that

Graycap23 said:

Very good point. Jagger was the one who took the band forward, got them experimenting with different music styles (disco, funk, even hip hop), trying new things, all of which kept them vital and relevant. He's written most of their best songs from about 1973 onwards. He's the showman and the business brains.

Had it been for Keith, The Stones would sound like a older, slightly more credible version of Status Quo, recycling the same Berryesque riffs, with some blues, country and a dash of reggae thrown in.

I actually prefer Jagger.

BeneHaze said:

Mick is cool as hell. But, Keith is the ANDREW to George Michaels WHAM ?

stopHATING said:

as a performer maybe (though rumors are that Andrew's guitar was unplugged!)

but Keith co-wrote every song!

Keef deserves every single ounce of his legend.

NDRU said:

Hahaha ! I could've figured it was unplugged, and rightfully so.
but, that's not to say that I don't like Keith...just he's overrated.
I still have respect for the "Glimmer Twins"

stopHATING said:

gotcha, and yes he's probably over-rated. How could anyone at his level not be?

NDRU said:

Right ?!?!
There's sooooo many more folks that ARE overrated, these boards would shut down.