Getting satisfaction From Stones to solo album: Keith Richards making moves

  • By Mesfin Fekaduap AP Music Writer
  • Friday, October 2, 2015 9:35am
  • LifeGo-See-Do

NEW YORK — Keith Richards had a goal when he was readying the release of his first solo album in two decades: Get his Rolling Stones bandmates excited about recording their own music.

“(The band is) going to get in the studio, which was one of my aims really of doing this (solo) one. (It) was, ‘Hey, Rolling Stones, you haven’t been in the studio for 11 years. … It’s time to get in the studio,’ ” Richards said in an interview with The Associated Press last week.

The Stones’ last album was “A Bigger Bang” in 2005. Richards’ “Crosseyed Heart,” his first solo album since 1982, debuted at No. 11 on Billboard’s 200 albums chart this week.

The veteran guitarist said the Stones are his top priority, so when he found a small break from the band, he used the time to put out his own music and release a documentary, “Keith Richards: Under the Influence,” on Netflix.

“The thing is I work for this other band,” he said with a laugh, “and if they’re working and they’re on the road, there’s no way that I’m gonna put (out) anything personal or solo.

“So in a way it just so happened that this month the Stones have gone dormant for a while.”

The 71-year-old talked about songwriting, working on music with his bandmates and more.

So what’s happening with the upcoming Stones album?

Richards: It’s up here and out there at the moment, but at least they’ve decided, ‘Yes.’… I think they’ve been a bit scared of getting in the studio together. Well, we’re gonna see what comes out of that because after this amount of time off there’s obviously gonna be some rust to knock off, but at the same time, we’ve been working a lot on the road. The band is hot. I think hotter than I’ve actually ever heard them, and I think given the right material and everything, I hope they get them in the studio sometime within the — I don’t want to give any dates — but in the near future.

How old are some of the songs on your new album?

Richards: I would say ‘Nothing on Me’ was written for ‘Bigger Bang,’ which was like 2004. I had already laid down ‘Illusion’ at the same time. Two or three of these songs were coming out of stuff I was writing for the Stones and then we reached our deadline there so these things were left over, so I said, ‘Well, that doesn’t mean they ain’t finished.’ As a songwriter you just pick up things, the deadline don’t matter. … I’ve got songs lying around for 25 years and I still haven’t finished them.

How did it feel to release both an album and a documentary in the same week?

Richards: One minute there’s nothing, then it’s BOOM! I’m still reeling and rocking from it all. One thing is to bring out a record, at the same time, to bring out this documentary was double duty. I’m waiting for paycheck! (Laughs.)

Your album earned positive reviews — do you ever read those things?

Richards: I don’t want to be stroked too much. I’m interested in other people’s point of views at the same time. I’ve been beautifully stroked this week. I’m so glad people like it as much. Me? I’m just gonna make a record, you know, throw it out there and see, and then it’s up to everybody else to see how they feel about it. … It’s been a bit mind-blowing, actually. It also gives me a little bit of leverage with the other guys. (Laughs.)

Your last solo album, “Main Offender,” was released in 1992. Do you think your next solo album will come sooner rather than later?

Richards: The speed (that) this world’s going right now (laughs), I don’t think it’s gonna be another 20 odd years. I don’t think I have that much in me. But I loved making this record. … I wouldn’t say, ‘It’s impossible.’ You know, I’d do another one in the next year or so. You can’t tell with me. Nor can I. (Laughs.)

Why do you feel that Netflix was the best outlet to showcase your documentary?

Richards: Because it was there and because I know very, very little about outlets and inlets. … I leave this to other people like Miss Jane Rose (his manager). I’m not a businessman particularly, I just happen to make lots of money. … (Laughs.) Maybe that’s a way to be a businessman, I don’t know, but all I can say is I do what I do and I have the people that I trust and I love and have been around me for many years.

Do you think you’d do a solo tour to support this album?

Richards: Given the way this one’s going and given the way it was made, I’m interested in continuing the process, yeah. Sometime next year. I mean, you’re rushing me. (Laughs.) But it’s a good idea. I’m thinking about it now.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

Brandon Hailey of Cytrus, center, plays the saxophone during a headlining show at Madam Lou’s on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood-based funk octet Cytrus has the juice

Resilience and brotherhood take center stage with ‘friends-first’ band.

FILE - In this April 11, 2014 file photo, Neko Case performs at the Coachella Music and Arts Festival in Indio, Calif. Fire investigators are looking for the cause of a fire on Monday, Sept. 18, 2017, that heavily damaged Case’s 225-year-old Vermont home. There were no injuries, though a barn was destroyed. It took firefighters two hours to extinguish the blaze. (Photo by Scott Roth/Invision/AP, File)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

Singer-songwriter Neko Case, an indie music icon from Tacoma, performs Sunday in Edmonds.

Sarah Jean Muncey-Gordon puts on some BITCHSTIX lip oil at Bandbox Beauty Supply on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, in Langley, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Bandbox Beauty was made for Whidbey Island locals, by an island local

Founder Sarah Muncey-Gordon said Langley is in a renaissance, and she’s proud to be a part of it.

Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli
Tangier’s market boasts piles of fruits, veggies, and olives, countless varieties of bread, and nonperishables, like clothing and electronics.
Rick Steves on the cultural kaleidoscope of Tangier in Morocco

Walking through the city, I think to myself, “How could anyone be in southern Spain — so close — and not hop over to experience this wonderland?”

chris elliott.
Vrbo promised to cover her rental bill in Hawaii, so why won’t it?

When Cheryl Mander’s Vrbo rental in Hawaii is uninhabitable, the rental platform agrees to cover her new accommodations. But then it backs out. What happened?

Byrds co-founder Roger McGuinn, seen here in 2013, will perform April 20 in Edmonds. (Associated Press)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

R0ck ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer Roger McGuinn, frontman of The Byrds, plans a gig in Edmonds in April.

Mother giving in to the manipulation her daughter fake crying for candy
Can children be bribed into good behavior?

Only in the short term. What we want to do is promote good habits over the course of the child’s life.

Speech Bubble Puzzle and Discussion
When conflict flares, keep calm and stand your ground

Most adults don’t like dissension. They avoid it, try to get around it, under it, or over it.

The colorful Nyhavn neighborhood is the place to moor on a sunny day in Copenhagen. (Cameron Hewitt)
Rick Steves: Embrace hygge and save cash in Copenhagen

Where else would Hans Christian Andersen, a mermaid statue and lovingly decorated open-face sandwiches be the icons of a major capital?

Last Call is a festured artist at the 2024 DeMiero Jazz Festival: in Edmonds. (Photo provided by DeMiero Jazz Festival)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

Jazz ensemble Last Call is one of the featured artists at the DeMiero Jazz Festival on March 7-9 in Edmonds.

Kim Helleren
Local children’s author to read at Edmonds Bookshop

Kim Helleren will read from one of her books for kids at the next monthly Story Time at Edmonds Bookshop on March 29.

Chris Elliott
Lyft surprises traveler with a $150 cleaning charge

Jared Hakimi finds a $150 charge on his credit card after a Lyft ride. Is that allowed? And will the charge stick?

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.