Mr lang=EN-GB>Rock and Roll, Keith lang=EN-GB> Richards, is the
prototype for generations of rock guitarists. And now, the Rolling Stones lead
guitarist is looking for an Indian artist to collaborate on his next album.

 

�I can�t wait to come to Mumbai and listen
to what musicians are dishing out. I may add one to my next solo album,� says
the guitar legend. He�s looking to experiment with different sounds and this is
an effort in that direction. As for listening to Indian tunes, �at the risk of
sounding cliched, I�ve heard Pandit Ravi Shankar and the man is brilliant. But,
as I said, I wanna come out there and check out the music scene first-hand.
From listening to an Irish tune or hardcore tabla beats, it�s music, and if
it�s music, I�m there.� Richards lang=EN-GB>� list of disciples includes Aerosmith�s Joe lang=EN-GB> Perry, Johnny
Thunders, Slash and Mick Jones from the Clash. When asked if he liked any
new-age rock bands, he quips, �I haven�t heard any.

 

The greatest rock band could be hidden
anywhere, in a small town in the US or in a little club in Mumbai.� The lure
and mystique of the guitarist and his place in the Rolling Stones was pretty
much hatched, cultivated and exploited by Richards. �In the end, it�s all about
music, man,� he drawls. �When we get on stage and perform, we don�t hug or perform
some sorta wacked-out ritual. It�s just us guys hanging out and playing songs
like we always did. I guess that�s why we�ve stayed together so long � coz we
like hanging out with each other.�

 

Drug-related arrests in 1967, 1973 and 1978
seemed to spell the end for Richards. But somehow, he always came through
intact. �My music�s gotten me through a lot, whether it�s in the �70s or today.
I love what I do and though working with the Stones is a full-time job, Mick
(Jagger), me and the group have managed to work on individual albums as well.�
Though the Stones have collaborated with greats like John Lennon, Richards says
there are many he�d still love to work with.

 

�I�d love to work with Ray Charles, but
then I�d also like to work with Mozart, if he were alive.� So, what surprises
do the Stones have for Mumbai? �If I told you, it wouldn�t be a surprise, would
it? Sometimes, we surprise ourselves while on stage. So, once we start playing,
we�ll take it from there.�