Ever wonder who the real MVPs are in music? It's not always the ones basking in the spotlight. According to the legendary Keith Richards, the unsung heroes of the music world – the sidemen – deserve just as much, if not more, respect. But why? And who are these musical masterminds? Let's dive in.
The role of a guitarist on stage might seem straightforward, right? Know your parts, don't mess up, and let the frontman do their thing. But Richards, a man who knows a thing or two about rock 'n' roll, learned from the best: James Burton and Johnnie Johnson. They taught him the true art of being a sideman.
Now, when you consider Richards' role in The Rolling Stones, it's hard to label him just a sideman. He and Mick Jagger often feel like co-frontmen, with Richards' guitar riffs and signature grin speaking volumes. But what lessons did he learn from Burton and Johnson?
These two were masters of their craft. Burton, a titan in country guitar and early rock and roll, played with everyone from Johnny Cash to Gram Parsons. His guitar work could make you weep. Johnson, on the other hand, was the piano man who kept up with Chuck Berry. His jazz background gave him the ability to rip out solos, creating iconic lines like those in 'Roll Over Beethoven.'
But here's where it gets controversial... When inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Richards declared that sidemen deserve the same respect as frontmen. He noted that the sideman's job is about craft and containment. They make others look invincible, catch them when they falter, and do it all without needing the credit.
Burton and Johnson understood this implicitly. Their playing was a sound of restraint with purpose, making a performance feel inevitable. That's why Richards speaks of them with such reverence. He admits that the real power on stage often lies with the person keeping everything from collapsing, not the one soaking up the light. Richards learned that the best way to dominate a song is to serve it, and the best way to be heard is to make everyone else sound better.
Richards thought Burton and Johnson had their silent roles down to a science, calling them the most incredible sidemen of all time. He even admitted that he bought a James Burton record, not a Ricky Nelson one. As for Johnnie Johnson, Richards said, "He probably had a harder time than I do with mine."
Compared to other guitar heroes, Burton and Johnson's playing was incredibly subdued. It wasn't about flashy solos; it was about supporting the singer. Richards' work in The Stones is the ultimate mix of their styles, always playing for the song. He may not have had the flashiest guitar parts, but he kept everything locked in and swinging, no matter what.
What do you think? Do sidemen deserve more recognition? Are there any other unsung heroes in music you'd like to celebrate? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
