Rock and roll ain't nothing but jazz with a hard backbeat.
Keith RichardsRead
There's something beautifully friendly and elevating about a bunch of guys playing music together. This wonderful little world that is unassailable. It's really teamwork, one guy supporting the others, and it's all for one purpose, and there's no flies in the ointment, for a while. And nobody conducting, it's all up to you. It's really jazz__that's the big secret. Rock and roll ain't nothing but jazz with a hard backbeat.
Interpretation
This quote highlights the beauty of collaboration in music and the essence of jazz as a fundamental element in rock and roll.
Keith Richards emphasizes the joy and camaraderie found in musicians playing together, particularly in jazz, which he sees as a model for musical collaboration. He suggests that the absence of a conductor and the mutual support among musicians create a unique and uplifting environment, showcasing teamwork and spontaneity that characterize both jazz and rock music.
In practice
A speech at a music festival to celebrate the power of collaboration in performances.
Rock and roll ain't nothing but jazz with a hard backbeat.
Everyone talks about rock these days; the problem is they forget about the roll.
There's just certain styles of playing that you do play in your own way. Maybe it's in the way your fingers bend, for all I know. And so whenever you pick up the guitar it's not so much the sound of the instrument itself, it's like the ting that you add onto it-the attitude.
If you've gotta think about being cool, you ain't cool.
If you don't know the blues... there's no point in picking up the guitar and playing rock and roll or any other form of popular music.
When you're supported by millions all over the world, you can either go nuts, or try to feed off the goodwill.
I may be helping to bring harmony between people through my music.
I don't rely on my figure to sell records.
It turned out so well because it was the first album that I could identify with in terms of lyrics. ("Captain Fantastic") It was passionate...I could associate myself with every song...It's a unique album in our history. This was the story of us..."Curtains", the lyrics to that are so beautiful because it sums up our friendship so much, and our relationship.
Why should the devil have all the best tunes?
Rock'n'roll as a genre is different from pop and hip hop: it is about bands, and that for me suggests brotherhood, family, friendship and community.
When Van Halen started out, there was no path to fame. We just played what we liked. Even today it always comes down to the simplicity of rock and roll.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.