Apparently Keith recent comments criticizing The Beatles‘ Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album weren’t the first negative things he’s had to say about the Fab Four. In a 1969 Rolling Stone interview, he ripped into them — along with Led Zeppelin, The Band, CCR and three other popular bands at the time. Here are some of his comments:
Led Zeppelin: “I played their [debut] album quite a few times when I first got it, but then [Robert Plant's] voice started to get on my nerves. I don’t know why; maybe he’s a little too acrobatic.” However, Keith did say he liked Jimmy Page‘s guitar playing.
Blind Faith: He criticized Steve Winwood‘s vocals and did not like their cover of Buddy Holly‘s
“Well Alright,” saying that the original was “10 times better. It’s not
worth doing an old song unless you’re gong to add to it.”
Blood, Sweat and Tears: “I don’t
really like them… I don’t really dig that sort of music, but I suppose
that’s a bit unfair because I haven’t heard very much by them.” In
particular he wasn’t a fan of the horns.
Creedence Clearwater Revival: “When I
first heard them, I was really knocked out, but I became bored with them
very quickly. After a few times, it started to annoy me. They’re so
basic and simple that maybe it’s a little too much.”
The Band: His biggest complaint about
them was seeing them in concert. “It was like they were just playing the
records on stage and at a fairly low volume. But they just didn’t seem
to come alive by themselves. I think that they’re essentially an
accompanying band. When they were backing up Bob Dylan, there was a couple of times when they did get off.”
The Beatles: “I think The Beatles had
passed their performing peak even before they were famous. They are a
recording band, while our scene is the concerts and many of our records
were roughly made, on purpose. Our sort of scene is to have a really
good time with the audience.”
The Bee Gees: “They’re in their own
little fantasy world. You only have to read what they talk about in
interviews…how many suits they’ve got and that kind of crap. It’s all
kid stuff, isn’t it?”
In some positive Keith news, his first two studio albums – Talk Is Cheap and Main Offender – will be released for the first time on all major global digital services this Friday. His new album, Crosseyed Heart, will be out on September 18th.
