Keith Richards on Recording With Paul McCartney: “Felt like the old days”
Keith Richards spoke about the experience of recording with McCartney, describing it as a throwback to the “old days.” In a recent interview, he shared his excitement, saying, “I felt that it was bl**dy time…I’ve known Paul for 60 years, just about. Although he and John [Lennon] did do a few backup vocals with us in the ’60s. Great fun to play with.” The camaraderie and musical synergy between these two legends made this collaboration a special moment for both.
Recalling the studio session with McCartney, Richards exclaimed, “At the end of it, I just said, ‘Well, that’s just like the good old days.'” Richards also revealed the serendipitous nature of McCartney’s involvement in the project, stating, “Paul happened to be in town…And we couldn’t keep him away, bless his heart.”
He humourously added, “And hey, if you can get one of the Beatles on your track, you know, you do it. Paul’s a very amiable cat to play with; we’ve been great friends forever.”
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But the surprises didn’t end there. Richards speculated about how the other Beatles members, John Lennon and George Harrison, would have fit seamlessly into the Rolling Stones. He mused, “I don’t think John Lennon would have had much problem fitting into the Stones, or George, if you can imagine that sort of thing happening.”
Richards’ comments about the past and his collaboration with McCartney raise the question of what the future holds for the Rolling Stones and the music industry as a whole. When asked about the possibility of hologram performances by the Rolling Stones in the future, Richards remained open to the idea, saying, “I certainly wouldn’t rule it out. I’m pretty sure that is bound to happen. Do I want it? Now, that’s another thing. I don’t know if I want to hang around that long, man. But at the same time, it won’t be up to me, will it?”
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This idea of hologram performances has been introduced previously. Mick Jagger, the Stones’ frontman, has acknowledged the technological advancements that allow for such posthumous tours. He noted, “You can have a posthumous business now, can’t you? You can have a posthumous tour. The technology has really moved on since the ABBA thing.”
The reference to ABBA Voyage, a successful stage show featuring holographic recreations of Swedish pop stars, demonstrates the potential of this technology in the music industry. Other artists have also shown interest in similar shows, although, as director Baillie Walsh mentioned, it takes a band of a certain stature to contemplate such a venture.
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However, not all rock legends are on board with holographic performances. Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin, for instance, revealed that the band had been approached for such endeavours but couldn’t agree on the approach. The challenge lies in preserving the authenticity and spirit of the original performances.
As the Stones contemplate the possibility of a new tour for Hackney Diamonds, the spirit of rock and roll lives on. The band’s enduring bond and their willingness to embrace new technologies show that the Rolling Stones remain at the forefront of the music industry, even after six decades in the business.
-Britney Jones
