In a recent exclusive interview with Guitar Player, Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones delved into the band’s upcoming album, ‘Hackney Diamonds,’ and spilled the beans on a song his fellow bandmate, Mick Jagger, attempted to swipe from him.
It appears that Richards’ vocals have taken a noticeable leap in quality on the latest album, a fact not lost on those around him. Discussing the track ‘Tell Me Straight’ from the new release, Richards shared the feedback he received about his voice:
“People have been telling me I sound stronger after I stopped smoking cigarettes in 2019. When we went out on the road a couple of years ago, the sound guys started making comments. They were like, ‘Man, your voice… what’s happening?’ Since then, singing has felt different, and I’m enjoying it more.”
As the interviewer touched on the song’s theme, describing it as a blend of “part mythic, part hardcore truth,” Richards affirmed that this was intentional. Adding an interesting twist to the conversation, he revealed that Jagger attempted to hijack the song for a specific reason:
“Oh, cool. It came kind of like that. Once it was on the roller, these chords appeared, and then the rest of it seemed to fall into place around it. I knew it was getting pretty good because Mick tried to steal it! I had to say, ‘Uh-uh buddy. I’m doin’ this one.’”
The Rolling Stones are gearing up to hit the road in support of their 26th album. Sponsored by AARP (American Association of Retired People), the tour is set to kick off on April 28, 2024, in Houston, covering 16 cities across the U.S. and Canada. The performances will showcase classic hits alongside tracks from their highly anticipated new album.
