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Rolling Stones quotes: Keith Richards on reggae

Keith Richards didn’t just listen to reggae—he absorbed it. First encountering the genre in the late ’60s, he was drawn to its elastic rhythms, hypnotic grooves, and unforced sense of cool. Reggae quietly slipped into his musical DNA, reshaping the way he played guitar and thought about songs. You can hear its pulse in key Rolling Stones tracks, where looseness and swing take precedence over polish. Richards’ devotion also went beyond influence, sparking collaborations with reggae heavyweights. It wasn’t a phase or a flirtation, but a lifelong dialogue between rock ’n’ roll and reggae soul.

“I’m drawn to reggae because there’s nothing happening in Black American music. They’re going through the disco phase. It’s very popular and no wonder people are drawn to it. The temptation to make those records is strong. Reggae took off because there are more Jamaicans in Britain and America than there are in Jamaica! Bob Marley has created an international status for reggae and now Africa will be a big market for the music too. Trouble is, I don’t know if Roots Reggae is what people want to hear from me. I’ve been playing mostly reggae with Tosh’s band and either I cut some more to make a complete album or I’ll leave it in the warehouse….

…When I’ve got an album worth of material in front of me, then I’ll think about releasing it. I’ve got Robbie Shakespeare on bass, Sly Dunbar on drums and Robert Lynn on piano. As far as I’m concerned, I’m not white and they’re not black. It’s just something you don’t think about. They make me feel very comfortable when I’m working with them. I’ve been going to Jamaica for over ten years. People will say, ‘Oh he’s doing his reggae bit‘. So I might just put my reggae recordings into the vaults until it is more acceptable to people”

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How Reggae Shaped Keith Richards

Keith Richards’ love for reggae has been a significant influence on his music throughout his career. Introduced to the genre in the late ’60s, Richards quickly became captivated by reggae’s infectious rhythms and laid-back vibe. His appreciation for the genre can be heard in several Rolling Stones songs. Keith’s fondness for reggae also led to collaborations with iconic artists like Peter Tosh, Max Romeo, Black Uhuru or Lee Scratch Perry. The genre’s unique blend of rhythm and soul resonated deeply with Richards, influencing both his guitar style and songwriting, cementing reggae’s lasting impact on his musical evolution.

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