8 Rock Legends Keith Richards Insulted

Keith Richards, the iconic guitarist of the Rolling Stones, is notorious for his sharp tongue and unfiltered remarks. Known as one of the most outspoken figures in rock ‘n’ roll, Richards doesn’t hesitate to criticize others, including his own bandmates. For over 50 years, he has made headlines with his candid and often harsh comments, showing little regard for how his words might be received.

Richards’ comments are typically spontaneous and uncalculated. As he once said, he rarely gives a second thought to the things he says, and his barbs are not intended to gain publicity. It’s just Keith being Keith. While his unrestrained tongue has occasionally landed him in hot water, Richards has never wavered from being true to himself. There was a rare instance when he accepted Mick Jagger’s apology to save the future of the Rolling Stones, but Richards generally stands firm on his beliefs and rarely offers apologies for his insults.

Here are some of the most notable artists who have found themselves on the receiving end of Keith Richards’ sharp criticism:

Prince
The relationship between The Rolling Stones and Prince has been tumultuous. Back in 1981, Prince opened for the Stones in Los Angeles, but the audience wasn’t receptive. Mick Jagger tried to ensure Prince finished his commitments, but Richards was less forgiving. He harshly remarked, “An overrated midget, Prince has to find out what it means to be a prince. That’s the trouble with conferring a title on yourself before you’ve proved it.” Richards continued, “His attitude when he opened for us was insulting to our audience. You don’t try to knock off the headline like that when you’re playing a Stones crowd. He’s a prince who thinks he’s a king already. Good luck to him.” Years later, Richards compared Prince to The Monkees, saying, “I think he’s very clever at manipulating the music business and the entertainment business.”

Elton John
Richards has had a long history of taking shots at Elton John. In a 1988 interview with Rolling Stone, Richards was asked about current pop music, including Elton’s track “I Don’t Wanna Go On With You Like That.” He quipped, “Reg, give me a Rubens, and I’ll say something nice. Reg Dwight. Lovely bloke, but posing.” Richards was particularly irritated when Elton updated “Candle In The Wind” to honor Princess Diana, calling it “songs for dead blondes.” He told Entertainment Weekly in 1997, “But he was a personal friend, after all. I’d find it difficult to ride on the back of something like that myself, but Reg is showbiz.”

Bee Gees
Despite the Bee Gees’ success as pop hitmakers, Richards wasn’t impressed by their artistry. In a 1969 interview with Rolling Stone, he dismissed them, saying, “Well, 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?”

Metallica
While the Rolling Stones have influenced countless bands, Richards has not always been pleased with those who cite them as an inspiration. In 2015, he told the New York Daily News, “Millions are in love with Metallica and Black Sabbath. I just thought they were great jokes.” He continued with a characteristic jab: “I don’t know where Metallica’s inspiration comes from, but if it’s from me, then I fucked up.”

Oasis
Keith Richards teamed up with Mick Jagger to take on Oasis in a never-aired documentary. Richards called the band “trash,” and Jagger chimed in, criticizing the music: “You can’t dance to it, the new album’s impossible.” Richards didn’t stop there, adding, “These guys are just obnoxious. Grow up and then come back and see if you can hang.”

David Bowie
David Bowie is widely respected, but that didn’t spare him from Richards’ critiques. In a 2008 interview, Richards said the only Bowie song he could recall from *Hunky Dory* was “Changes.” He dismissed Bowie’s work, saying, “It’s all pose. It’s all fucking posing. It’s nothing to do with music. He knows it too.” He added, “I can’t think of anything else he’s done that would make my hair stand up.”

Mick Jagger
Richards didn’t even hold back from criticizing his long-time bandmate Mick Jagger. In his memoir *Life*, he infamously commented on Jagger’s genital size, writing, “Anyway, she had no fun with his tiny todger. I know he’s got an enormous pair of balls, but it doesn’t quite fill the gap, does it?” However, Richards showed a rare moment of sincerity in a 2012 documentary about the Stones’ 50th anniversary, saying, “[Mick] and I have had conversations over the last year of a kind we have not had for an extremely long time, and that has been incredibly important to me.”

The Grateful Dead
Criticizing The Grateful Dead, who are seen as more of a family than just a band, takes a certain level of boldness. Richards didn’t mince words, calling their music “boring.” While most see the Grateful Dead as a cultural phenomenon, Richards’ dissenting opinion was that their appeal was lost on him.

Keith Richards’ scathing remarks have made waves throughout the music industry, affecting even the most revered artists. Yet, his unapologetic and unfiltered nature remains a hallmark of his persona—one that has endeared him to fans who appreciate his candidness, even when it ruffles feathers.