The Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts has recalled the heated critical debate over their classic album ‘Exile On Main Street’.
Funny how critical opinion changes. Heading down to the South of France to work on new material, The Rolling Stones released ‘Exile On Main Street’ in 1972 to an extremely mixed critical reception.
Now, however, the album is lauded as perhaps the band’s finest musical document. Certainly, ‘Exile On Main Street’ stands as a unique and timeless document of The Rolling Stones’ sprawling creativity.
Speaking to ClashMusic, drummer Charlie Watts revealed that he pays little mind to critical reaction. “I don’t really read them. I mean, critics are… that’s like playing with yourself. Critics don’t mean anything in the long run” he explained.
“A lot of critics are either bored musicians or are not very good at being musicians. I don’t mean playing an instrument – a lot of them aren’t very good at being in bands, so they write about this stuff and they sit and analyse it, and nine times out of ten – I’m not saying all of them – they get totally the wrong end of the stick. Because they’re not doing it – they weren’t there, they’re not part of it.”
Continuing, Charlie Watts explained that he rejects the position critics hold in the music industry. “The other thing is it’s like a judgement, and I don’t really like them people; people judging things, you know? They can be very hurtful, critics. It’s not very nice reading that it was a load of crap, what you spent a year making.”
“But also, you know, it can be really nice. I say that, but I’ve had some wonderful things said about me, and it is – obviously – very nice. Critics – especially in the jazz and classical music world – are very important people, or are put in this position of importance, and it really has absolutely nothing to do with music or playing or attending a concert, or buying a record and listening to it at home.”
Watch out for the complete interview soon!
