OUR paths first crossed when the first American Folk Blues tour came through Manchester [October 21, 1962]. To the true and faithful, it was a clarion call for all blues collectors and enthusiasts. There was an Epsom contingent that travelled up there, and that’s where I first met Keith and Mick. Then I’d see the Stones play various venues around London. Later I’d bump into them at Immediate Records, when I did afew bits and pieces. The first time I actually played with Keith was on the Chris Farlowe sessions that Mick was producing. “Yesterday’s Papers” [1967] was areally good one, I’m playing acoustic on that. Keith and Iwere sitting next to each other and got on really well, because there was agreat mutual respect.
Then we jump to 1974, when Ronnie [Wood] had the Wick [in Richmond] and the studio underneath. He said, “Do you want to come round? I think Keith wants to do something.” That was the time when I really had achance to play with him, because that became “Scarlet”, with Keith playing rhythm and me doing acounterpoint riff. The following day, Iadded acouple of solo overdubs at Island. The thing Iremember most is that Keith was solid and driving and didn’t make mistakes. He kept going all the way through. And I realised just what apowerful force he is behind those Rolling Stones records. Of course, everybody made avital contribution, but Keith was really driving it.