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Rolling Stones quotes: Keith Richards on being influenced by Chuck Berry
KEITH RICHARDS ON CHUCK BERRY Keith Richards admits the Stones could never fully “do a Chuck Berry” but his influence is everywhere. He loved how Chuck mixed it up—rock, country, and clever storytelling—like in You Never Can Tell. Chuck’s admiration for Hank Williams and his curiosity about different styles inspired the Stones’ own musical adventures. Keith remembers long chats about country writers and riffs, proving that behind all the rock chaos, there’s serious respect and a shared love for musical variety.
“Over the years, we’ve deliberately tried not to ‘do a Chuck Berry’, so to speak. But on every one, Chuck’s influence is there, for sure. And I love the fact that he could vary his music. When you listen to You Never Can Tell, he had a handle, he was very interested in various kinds of music. He used country music. And he was a great admirer of Hank Williams. We used to sit around talking about country writers.”
Chuck Berry’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Spark in The Rolling Stones
When you think of rock legends, The Rolling Stones are always front and center—partly because of their raw energy and partly due to their deep roots in rock ‘n’ roll history. One of the biggest influences behind their sound? The legendary Chuck Berry. Keith Richards, the Stones’ iconic guitarist, shared in a 2017 interview just how much Berry’s vibrant riffs, storytelling, and electrifying stage presence shaped the band’s music and spirit. More than just inspiration, Berry’s impact became the foundation stone for the Stones’ rebellious edge and timeless vibe.
More Than Imitation: A Unique Twist on a Classic
While The Rolling Stones owe a lot to Chuck Berry’s style, they never simply copied his moves. Instead, they took Berry’s raw charisma and blended it with their own bluesy rock flavor, creating something fresh and unmistakably their own. Keith Richards and the band absorbed Berry’s energetic live showmanship and rebellious attitude, but always added their own twist. This fusion not only honored Berry’s legacy but also pushed rock ‘n’ roll forward. In doing so, The Rolling Stones kept the spirit of rock alive, connecting past legends to new generations with every riff and lyric.
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