Keith Richards gave George Harrison a glowing compliment right after insulting his guitar playing
George Harrison and Keith Richards were two key guitarists during the British invasion of the 1960s. Since they were in two of the biggest bands at the time, they often asked each other questions. While speaking of an unspoken connection between them, Richards also noted that he never liked Harrison’s guitar playing. Still, he tempered that insult by immediately crediting Harrison’s significant contributions to the film industry.
Keith Richards once said he and George Harrison had a bond
After Harrison’s death, Richards reflected on his relationship with the other guitarist. He believed that their positions in their respective bands were similar and formed a bond between them.
“George and I – without talking too much about it, although we had a laugh here and there – formed a kind of bond where we felt like we were fulfilling the same role in our respective bands,” Richards told Rolling Stone in 2001. “It was a nod and a wink to say, ‘Well, they wouldn’t be anywhere without us.'”
Richards appreciated Harrison’s quiet sense of humor.
“So George and I were always like, ‘Well, how are you?’ He was a very quiet and enigmatic guy in a lot of ways,” he said. “He had a very sly sense of humor, very calm. But there was always this unspoken bond between us.”
The Rolling Stones guitarist insulted the Beatles guitarist but was quick to compliment him
Years earlier, Richards wasn’t as flattering when talking about Harrison and his bandmates. Speaking about Ringo Starr’s 1989 tour, Richards attacked the Beatles.
“[Ringo Starr] has some good musicians but without John [Lennon], it doesn’t do me any good,” he told Spin. “Paul [McCartney] certainly not, and I could never endure George’s guitar playing.”
Leaving aside the insults to Starr and McCartney, he balanced his harsh words about Harrison with a compliment.
“Mind you, he can’t stab mine either,” Richards said. “But he’s made something really interesting out of his life and he’s done wonders for the British film industry.”
In addition to his music career, Harrison was a founding member of HandMade Films, a production company. Many have credited him with reviving the British film industry in the 1980s.
George Harrison said it’s hard to compare himself and Keith Richards
Harrison responded to Richards’ comments in a 1989 interview, according to the book George Harrison on George Harrison: Interviews and Encounters. He said it’s difficult to compare the two.
“I think he’s a great rhythm guitarist, Keith,” he said. “You know, really, I think he’s probably one of the best rock ‘n’ roll rhythm guitarists. I don’t think he’s very good at lead, but he played… that’s what you see, what I feel for Keith and I too, it’s no comparison, but in a way we make records and we have records some good guitar parts or some good songs or good lyrics or whatever, but basically you’re making records.”
He noted that even if Richards wasn’t the best at lead guitar, he was confident. The good thing about it, according to Harrison, was that even if Richards sounded terrible, he didn’t care.
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https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/keith-richards-gave-george-harrison-glowing-compliment-right-insulting-guitar-playing.html/ Keith Richards gave George Harrison a glowing compliment right after insulting his guitar playing