Famous Noodlers

Kathleen Norris on FAMOUS NOODLERS

Two documentaries about famous musicians have provided me with a wealth of surprises. People who are ultra-famous can seem frozen in a cocoon of myth, adoration, and criticism and I’m glad to to hear them speak for themselves. It seemed odd that flowers, trees, birdsong, and classical music open Keith Richards: Under the Influence. But after Richards described how his mother exposed him at an early age to Beethoven and Mozart, and her favorite singers Sarah Vaughn and Ella Fitzgerald, it made sense.

Richards reveals that his relationship with Mick Jagger began when they were teenagers, and he saw Jagger carrying albums by Muddy Waters and Chuck Berry. Richards hadn’t known that anyone else in their town was interested in that kind of music, and they began to talk. I don’t associate the word “puritanical” with the Stones, but Richards says that the Stones’ “original puritanical mission was to turn people on to American rhythm and blues.” The band has often been accused of ripping off Black artists but we hear Howling Wolf, Muddy Waters, and Buddy Guy say how astonished they were that young British men had found their music, loved it, and were making it popular with a new audience. When invited on television shows like Shindig the Stones insisted that Black performers be included. On first meeting Richards, Muddy Waters says, “thank you guys for what you’re doing.”