Keith Richards Attacks Journalist During Interview

By Sarah Crow Posted Nov 10th 2010 12:45PM

Keith Richards may have put his hard-living days behind him, but he's not above getting down and dirty when he feels he's been provoked.

During a recent interview with Swedish publication Aftonbladets, Richards allegedly hit reporter Markus Larsson in the head while promoting his new book 'Life' at a Paris hotel.

According to Spinner, the spat between Larsson and Richards escalated quickly, with Richards attacking Larsson only 10 minutes into their interview together. Recalling the incident, Larsson said, "He stood up and asked if we would put out the lights and settle the disagreement straight away. At first I was just surprised, I thought he was pulling my leg, but then I realized he was serious and then I felt uncomfortable and I just wanted to get out of there pretty fast."

Richards, apparently unsatisfied with simply injuring the journalist, told Larsson, "You're lucky to get out of here alive."

The feud between Richards and Larsson goes back to 2007, when the writer called the Rolling Stones "amateurs," giving their show in Gothenburg, Sweden, a mere 2 out of 5 rating.

Richards demanded a public apology from Larsson after the 2007 review, but the writer chose to stand by his opinion.

Following the incident, CBS published Larsson's statement, which read, "I am not going to apologize for my subjective opinion ... It is Keith who should apologize. After all it costs around $145 to see a rock star who can hardly handle the (guitar) riff to 'Brown Sugar' any more."

The Stones are rumored to be going back on tour as soon as 2011, following a 4-year hiatus from the road.

Tags: Fighting, keith richards

Comments

(40)

Wednesday 10 November

By Donna

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Larsson was too afraid to finish what he started with Keith.
Larsson talks real big, until someone takes him up on his offers. Keith did what most men would have done, Larsson did what any coward would have done.

By Allpro Concepts

Alright Keith! I would have buried him.
You don't mess with a legend.

By themeeker

You've got to give Richards credit for staying true to his rock-and-roll reputation. You can call the Stones a lot of things, but amateurs? No. That was just said to provoke a response. The idiot reporter got what he deserved and he should be ashamed for doing something so stupid. This is really one of the lower forms of "journalism". I hope he loses his job.

By mike

"The Rolling Stones ameatures"....???????......there a guy with no brain !

By vanwags03

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Keef should have kicked his arse right on out the door!

By David

Go Keifffffff, kick his ..... Hey you are talking about the world's greatest rock and roll band. period.

By Chris Sharp

This so called journalist is either stupid or has a death wish. I have seen the Stones over two dozen times and they always have been and always will be the Greatest Rock and Roll Band in the World, and Keith Richards has not lost anything as far as his guitar skills. In my view, seeing Stones show is the next best thing to sex. Keith should have beat him to a pulp and I have no doubt he still can even at his age.

Rock on Keith. And don't forget to celebrate his birthday on December 18th with a nice shot of Jack Daniels and a good Stones CD, preferably Get Yer Ya Yas Out, which is still hands down the best concert album ever recorded.

By Ruth

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Critics, gotta hate 'em. Fortunately for legends like the Stones this guy's opinion probably doesn't affect anyone's opinion of them. Unfortunately, not every act is immune from the vitriol they vomit forth.

By Dennis Robart

Guy should have known better, considering their past encounters. besides, the years of experience Richards has makes the guy look like a fool. Run, dum dum!! Your life depends on it!!

By SarahPalubinski

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Hey Keith-how old are you now, like 102?

Grow up dude, grow up.

By Wannabe

This guy Larsson only wants to make a name for himself by insulting a rock legend. It worked - he got attention. Too bad - Richards and all the rest should shut him out - no access.

By reed

not that he'll see this, but nice goin' Keith. rock on!!

By Jimmy

The Rolling Stones do suck. Their songs are simplistic, and many times in concert they don't do them justice. AC/DC's songs are simplistic, but they always ROCK. RUSH's songs are some of the most difficult, and they are flawless live. Even The Who was awesome live in their old age. Richards should stick to drinking, and stop bagging on Jagger (even though he is pretty lame, too). All Larsson had to do was sneeze on him, and he would have fell over and broke his hip.

By Keef

Jimmy? You wouldn't know good rock and roll if it bit you on your pimply arse.

By bob

Markus Larrson better not ever step foot in my town.

Sunday 14 November

By Shag

I love Keith, but he should be fined, sued, and put in rehab for a while. Just because of a bad review, he wants to attack someone? Give me a break.

By Anna

Go Keith, you and the Stones are nothing but the opposite of amateurs! That guy is an opinionated jerk who probably needs some lessons in tact. I've beeb a RS fan since age 9 and I'm 47 now! Still hope to see them in concert before they all die! :-)

By Mike

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If Richards was that angry with the journalist he should not ahve agreed to the interview. These rock stars think they are privileged characters. A short stint in jail would clear this up for him.

And yet he can spell better than you.

That was just a typo, dork. I know how to spell, we're all not perfect typists or spellers either for that matter.

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