Keith Richards didn’t think punk musicians could play. Then, they claim it “kicked their ass”
Keith Richards initially thought punk musicians lacked musical skill, but he admired their attitude and energy. He said the scene gave the Rolling Stones a needed “kick up our ass”, helping push them towards a rawer, more direct sound.
The article links punk’s influence to the Stones’ song ‘Respectable’, whose rough-edged style could stand alongside music by the Sex Pistols and Ramones. It also notes that Richards continued to seek fast, visceral songs even as the band played increasingly large venues.
In short
- Richards thought punk lacked playing skill but valued its energy.
- Punk gave the Rolling Stones a wake-up call.
- ‘Respectable’ reflected a rougher, more visceral sound.
Explained simply
Punk emerged in the mid-1970s as a loud, stripped-back style of rock, associated with bands such as the Sex Pistols and the Ramones. Its songs often favoured speed and directness over elaborate arrangements, and its musicians challenged the polish and scale of established rock.
The Rolling Stones were already an established band by then, known for blues-influenced rock and a long career on stage. Richards’s remarks reflect how the new scene’s energy could influence older groups, even when he questioned the musicians’ technical ability.