I can't base an opinion on this performance. Was the amp facing away from them/too far away to hear it? I don't know. Just saying, watch Chuck Berry play Johnny B. Goode on that same guitar. It's a lot worse than Keith to say the least. He goes into the wrong key playing the rhythm and never comes remotely back to the right key. I don't think Chuck Berry is unable to play by any means. I've played plenty of gigs where I couldn't hear my guitar and listened to recordings later and really cringed. Y'all are awfully quick to judge.

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jhat you are right,these other crackheads on this sight will be eating there words by next year.dont even belong here,not true fans or have lost touch with reality.how can anyone doubt keith.!!!

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backstreetboy1
jhat you are right,these other crackheads on this sight will be eating there words by next year.dont even belong here,not true fans or have lost touch with reality.how can anyone doubt keith.!!!

The question is if Keith will be able to do an accebtable performance for two hours? You obviously don´t know much about guitarplaying and Keiths healthissues. Arthritis is very painful and the headinjury didn´t make him any better. I have been a big fan of keith since i was a teenager and that´s why i don´t want him on a stage in this condition, he can´t simply do it good enough anymore and if you don´t realize that it´s your problem. Just compare the Keith many of us here saw in 2002-2003 when he most of the times played good with the Keith we saw in 2005-2007, it´s a big difference. And now he plays even worse, it has nothing to do with being a true fan, it has to do with being realistic about Keith even if it´s really sad. I would love one last tour or show but not with Keith in this poor condition.

I need to say that Keith Richards seem to have the most "forgiving" fans any guitar player ever have had... I mean how bad he actually needs to play until people run out of excuses and offering him free passes or at least seeing here some mark of brilliance... well, good to have such loving fans..

But still I wouldn't keep the Costello performance as any evidence against or for any further Rolling Stones activities. If we would have judged Keith's abilities as a guitarist based on his performance with Dylan in Live Aid 85, well...

I mean, shit happens...

- Doxa

If arthritis and his head injury are to blame why did he play his ass off later in 2007? I was at Werchter (aweful) and Dusseldorf (excellent). Furthermore, in this video I blame the large, low hanging guitar. It's obvious he was having trouble with it. All of this and some rustiness perfectly explain his performance in my opinion. Actually I think Keef is a lot better off than what is being presumed. Then again I could be way off, as any of us could be.

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frankotero
If arthritis and his head injury are to blame why did he play his ass off later in 2007? I was at Werchter (aweful) and Dusseldorf (excellent). Furthermore, in this video I blame the large, low hanging guitar. It's obvious he was having trouble with it. All of this and some rustiness perfectly explain his performance in my opinion. Actually I think Keef is a lot better off than what is being presumed. Then again I could be way off, as any of us could be.

Didn't you notice the complete out of key solo at the end of "Tumbling Dice" in Düsseldorf 2007? Keith was in a lousy shape during the concert. In my opinion Ronnie saved the complete show.

No, I didn't notice anyone being out of tune in Dusseldorf. Quite often I miss that, however my buddy is a musician with his own studio and never misses a beat and he said the performance was excellent. Maybe he missed that too? Quite possible I suppose.

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RobertJohnson
Keith was in a lousy shape during the concert

I would completely disagree with this. I thought he was very powerful. This also brings to memory the 2003 Munich OlympiaHalle gig. Keef was completely out of it, even I noticed it immediately. Anyhow, two days later he was on fire at the Olymipa Stadium. Who can explain that.

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frankotero

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RobertJohnson
Keith was in a lousy shape during the concert

I would completely disagree with this. I thought he was very powerful. This also brings to memory the 2003 Munich OlympiaHalle gig. Keef was completely out of it, even I noticed it immediately. Anyhow, two days later he was on fire at the Olymipa Stadium. Who can explain that.

Overall Keith played so much better during Licks compared to ABB, it´s not in the same league.

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RobertJohnson

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frankotero
If arthritis and his head injury are to blame why did he play his ass off later in 2007? I was at Werchter (aweful) and Dusseldorf (excellent). Furthermore, in this video I blame the large, low hanging guitar. It's obvious he was having trouble with it. All of this and some rustiness perfectly explain his performance in my opinion. Actually I think Keef is a lot better off than what is being presumed. Then again I could be way off, as any of us could be.

Didn't you notice the complete out of key solo at the end of "Tumbling Dice" in Düsseldorf 2007? Keith was in a lousy shape during the concert. In my opinion Ronnie saved the complete show.

agree !

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JumpinJeppeFlash
Overall Keith played so much better during Licks compared to ABB, it´s not in the same league

Yes, but do you see the connection? He's had off nights here and there. Also, I might add it almost seems like people want to believe something is wrong with the man. Kind of doubt anyone on this board knows the truth. We're all speculating. Personally I hope it's all hype and we'll have a great tour next year. If not, it's been a great ride and I will continue to enjoy the music as long as I can.

he was already horrible on licks, but worse on ABB.
and everybody who knows the details about his health conditions,
knows, why he had some quite good days inbetween.

Well while we ponder this let's consider bands who are currently on tour.CSN started their latest tour in Australia where Crosby promptly lost his voice for a few shows so Nash and Stills who really hasn't had anything resembling a singing voice in a long time covered for him.The allman bros who pretty much only exist for their run at the Beacon and a handful of other shows had to end the run minus Greg Allman still recovering from liver surgery.The Beach Boys are about to embark on an anniversary tour carting around a near catatonic Brian Wilson who i don't doubt will somehow be covered for during shows,and then Glen Campbell who is on tour despite oncoming Alzheimers which has pretty much wiped out his short term memory.Then throw in the Who who are condsidering a Quadrophenia tour despite Townsends rather serious hearing problems and Daltrey's many vocal surgeries and i guess The Stones are good shape to hit the road

well while all these acts seem to find an insurance that insure their tour, the stones do not find any, thats the problem.

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frankotero
If arthritis and his head injury are to blame why did he play his ass off later in 2007? I was at Werchter (aweful) and Dusseldorf (excellent). Furthermore, in this video I blame the large, low hanging guitar. It's obvious he was having trouble with it. All of this and some rustiness perfectly explain his performance in my opinion. Actually I think Keef is a lot better off than what is being presumed. Then again I could be way off, as any of us could be.

I know I've said it before, but I saw the Stones post-head injury in October, 2006 and Keith turned in one of the best performances I've seen from him. So....you never know what's possible....

He needs to start from scratch and PRACTICE. Hire a band that knows Stones catalogue and the blues,get in the basement and put in some serious PRACTICE . He needs to regain his confidence. Never going to be 70's Keith again, but I haven't given up on him yet.


sc uk

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Justin

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GumbootCloggeroo

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stonesdan60
I still think Keith deserves a break here....being handed a guitar he was not used to

That is absolutely no excuse. Keith is a professional. He's played hundreds of guitars in his life time.

Doens't matter. This song isn't the typical Chuck Berry tune. The changes and turnarounds are quicker and can easily throw off any player who's used to the typical 12 bar changes (I know it did with me when I played it a year ago with a couple people). This unfamiliarity eliminates Keith playing any effective rhythm. This leaves just the leads.

The lead work is shotty, yes, but that's because Keith is desperate to find a groove. Playing an "acoustic" version of a Chuck Berry song is no easy task without a rhythm section under you. Keith is overcompensating for the missing sound by going all over the fretboard, unfortunately, it's a bunch of cluttered notes everywhere. I know how Keith plays, and when I hear him on this clip, I hear a nervous, unprepared, excited dude who wants to play his heart out. But all this BS that he can't play anymore? Doubt it.

Not sure why I went out of my way to explain this when you'll probably just say "Who cares?! he still sucks!"

I'm with Gumboot. No Stones-tinited glasses, hero worship or apologetic excuses can cover the fact that this sucks. 30 years ago in he same spot, same situation handed the same guitar, Keith would have nailed it effortlessly - because this song should have taken NO EFFORT.

Show me some footage of Keith playing well in the last five years. Hell, show me something else of him playing AT ALL in the last half-decade.

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GravityBoy
He couldn't even do his "noodle riff" in the right key.

By noodle-riff are you referring to "boo beh BEEE boo" first heard on Stripped and used in every single Stones project since?


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charliesgood
Well while we ponder this let's consider bands who are currently on tour.CSN started their latest tour in Australia where Crosby promptly lost his voice for a few shows so Nash and Stills who really hasn't had anything resembling a singing voice in a long time covered for him.The allman bros who pretty much only exist for their run at the Beacon and a handful of other shows had to end the run minus Greg Allman still recovering from liver surgery.The Beach Boys are about to embark on an anniversary tour carting around a near catatonic Brian Wilson who i don't doubt will somehow be covered for during shows,and then Glen Campbell who is on tour despite oncoming Alzheimers which has pretty much wiped out his short term memory.Then throw in the Who who are condsidering a Quadrophenia tour despite Townsends rather serious hearing problems and Daltrey's many vocal surgeries and i guess The Stones are good shape to hit the road

Those are bands currently on tour, yes. but you've only listed geriatric dinosaur bands. The Boomer Culture is in it's twilight phase of existance. Gen-Xers and younger musicians should start learning more classic rock songs, a HUGE generation reaching retirement will need to be entertained somehow -- and that's where all the continent's pension money is. Just remember...songs released after 1989 don't exist to them...

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jamesfdouglas

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Justin

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GumbootCloggeroo

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stonesdan60
I still think Keith deserves a break here....being handed a guitar he was not used to

That is absolutely no excuse. Keith is a professional. He's played hundreds of guitars in his life time.

Doens't matter. This song isn't the typical Chuck Berry tune. The changes and turnarounds are quicker and can easily throw off any player who's used to the typical 12 bar changes (I know it did with me when I played it a year ago with a couple people). This unfamiliarity eliminates Keith playing any effective rhythm. This leaves just the leads.

The lead work is shotty, yes, but that's because Keith is desperate to find a groove. Playing an "acoustic" version of a Chuck Berry song is no easy task without a rhythm section under you. Keith is overcompensating for the missing sound by going all over the fretboard, unfortunately, it's a bunch of cluttered notes everywhere. I know how Keith plays, and when I hear him on this clip, I hear a nervous, unprepared, excited dude who wants to play his heart out. But all this BS that he can't play anymore? Doubt it.

Not sure why I went out of my way to explain this when you'll probably just say "Who cares?! he still sucks!"

I'm with Gumboot. No Stones-tinited glasses, hero worship or apologetic excuses can cover the fact that this sucks. 30 years ago in he same spot, same situation handed the same guitar, Keith would have nailed it effortlessly - because this song should have taken NO EFFORT.

Show me some footage of Keith playing well in the last five years. Hell, show me something else of him playing AT ALL in the last half-decade.

I hear ya James, these videos all stung when we first saw them some months ago. But yes, like you said, 30 years ago Keith would have definitely nailed it. But honestly, name me one 68 year old that wouldn't have been able to perform ANYTHING better some three decades ago! That's a very long time haha!

The videos are tough to watch but his shotty playing isn't without any good reason either: he's most obviously out of practice and struggling to have his fingers move the way he wants them to. These issues have been creeping their ugly head for a very, very long time so it's no surprise that he hasn't gotten any better today. I know you're a musician as well as I am--and I definitely know the feeling when you realize your fingers aren't working the way they used to. Time will do that.

Anyway, yes it sucks and I know that Keith's running of the mouth as of late has robbed him from any sympathy points from many fans but I think the dude should get a pass on this one!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012-04-08 05:06 by Justin.

Keith should have kept to major 5th 6th "chugging" and listening for the changes.

It's only 3 chords for goodness sake.

I've not tried to play along, what key was Elvis in?

If it was Bb or F then that might explain why Keith was off key.