Keith Richards Explains Who’s The Real Genius Behind Elvis Presley’s Career
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JUNE 05: Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones performs live on stage at Old Trafford on June 5, 2018 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Andrew Benge/Redferns)
Elvis Presley may be known as the King of Rock and Roll, but Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards says the real genius behind Presley’s music wasn’t Elvis himself. In a 2023 chat on The Howard Stern Show, Richards shared his list of music legends, naming Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Fats Domino, Eddie Cochran, and Buddy Holly as top-tier talents. But when it came to Elvis, Richards had a different take.
Keith Richards Reveals Who Really Shaped Elvis Presley’s Sound
Richards believes Elvis’s greatness came in large part from the people around him—especially his producer, Sam Phillips. Phillips, the founder of Sun Records, helped shape the early sounds of rock and roll and launched careers for artists like Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, and Howlin’ Wolf, along with Presley.
“Sam Phillips is the guy that made the record,” Richards told Stern. “Elvis fantastically fell into place with an incredible band. Bill Black on bass, Scotty Moore on guitar. There are no drums on this record. This is a rock and roll record and no drums. It’s rhythm, you know. Rock and roll, that, doesn’t necessarily need the whole battery of drums in it, right?”
Richards was talking about “Heartbreak Hotel,” released in January 1956. What stood out to him wasn’t just the band or the vocals—it was the use of space in the music. “It’s feel,” Richards added. “It’s got to do with when to not hit. What do you got if you’re making music? Silence is your canvas.”
Elvis Admitted He Wasn’t the Whole Show
Even Elvis knew that much of the credit for his music belonged to others. Back in October 1957, he was very open about it in an interview.
“It’s all a big hoax, honey. I never wrote a song in my life. I get one-third of the credit for recording it. It makes me look smarter than I am. I’ve never even had an idea for a song. Just once, maybe.” That “maybe” idea turned into the hit song “All Shook Up.”
Elvis had stage presence, charisma, and unforgettable vocals—but he also had the wisdom to step back and let others lead in areas he didn’t excel. Whether it was Sam Phillips behind the boards or songwriters like Mae Boren Axton and Tommy Durden, Elvis knew when to trust the pros.
And that kind of self-awareness? That’s a different kind of genius.
