In a recent appearance on The Tonight Show, legendary guitarist Keith Richards shed light on the real relationship between The Rolling Stones and The Beatles. Contrary to popular belief, Richards revealed that the two iconic bands didn’t harbor animosity; instead, they shared a history of cooperation and mutual respect.
Richards discussed the longstanding relationship between The Rolling Stones and The Beatles, dating back to the early 1960s
He said:
“Our relationship with John and Paul and with the Beatles goes back to ’62, ’63.”
When host Jimmy Fallon inquired about the rumored feud between the bands, Richards clarified:
“No. We’d play up to that. I think, you know, there was, like, a ‘Beatles versus Stones’ thing and that.”
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Contrary to the supposed rivalry, Richards disclosed that the bands collaborated to ensure their music releases didn’t clash
He revealed:
“Meanwhile, we’re working together saying, ‘Is your single ready?’ And, ‘We have a couple of weeks to go.’ ‘Okay. You go first.’ So we tried not to clash with our stuff. They gave us songs. Also, Paul and John are on a track called ‘We Love You’ in the middle ’60s. And another track, ‘Dandelion,’ that John and Paul came by to sing because they liked the Stones too.”
Richards also debunked the feud rumors by mentioning the collaboration on their hit song ‘I Wanna Be Your Man,’ a track originally written by Lennon and McCartney for The Rolling Stones.
The guitarist’s candid revelations highlight the genuine camaraderie between the bands, dispelling the long-standing myth of a bitter rivalry. Instead, their history is marked by collaboration, shared admiration, and a mutual influence that shaped the landscape of rock and roll during the 1960s and beyond. This revelation provides fans with a fresh perspective, emphasizing the camaraderie that existed between these legendary musical pioneers.
Watch the full interview below: