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Rolling Stones quotes: Keith Richards on the Sex Pistols
In April 1976 British journalist John Ingham met Keith backstage in Frankfurt, Germany. Ingham: “Keith, there’s a band in London called the Sex Pistols. They think you’re old and should stop playing and get out the way” Keith: “Just let them try. We’re the Rolling Stones. No one tells us what to do. We’ll stop when we feel like it”
Backstage in Frankfurt, April 1976—Keith Richards is lounging between shows on the Rolling Stones’ tour when British music journalist John Ingham hits him with some fresh London gossip. “Keith,” he says, “there’s this band called the Sex Pistols. They think you’re old and…” Keith barely blinks before firing back: “Just let them try. We’re the Rolling Stones. No one tells us what to do…” Classic Keith—zero hesitation, no filter, and absolutely no plans to bow out for some upstart punks.
Rolling Stones and Punk: The Stones Don’t Flinch
The quote says it all—the Stones were never scared of the next big thing. While punk was erupting with spit, safety pins, and swagger, the Rolling Stones had already weathered a dozen storms and survived them all. They weren’t phased by Johnny Rotten’s sneer or Sid Vicious’ stunts. In fact, Keith’s response wasn’t angry—it was dismissive, the way you swat a fly at a barbecue. To him, punk was just another scene, another movement that would flare up and burn out.
Sure, the Sex Pistols shook up the industry, but the Stones weren’t exactly fading away. They kept selling out arenas and dropping albums while the Pistols flamed out after one record. It wasn’t arrogance—it was earned confidence. In Keith’s world, longevity speaks louder than volume. And if punk was rebellion, the Stones had written the manual. Turns out, you don’t outpunk the originals.
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