October 16, 2010

"Her Majesty. Brenda."

How Keith Richards referred to Mick Jagger, who, he writes, became "unbearable," beginning in the early 80s.

In other celebrity tidbits... Richards was in the presence of Johnny Depp — a friend of his son's — for 2 years before he recognized that the guy was Johnny Depp. One night, he looked across the dinner table and suddenly thought "Whoa! Scissorhands!"

26 comments:

traditionalguy said...

Is the Brenda nickname an inside Hollywood slang? I can't wait to tell my wife that her name and her Title are shared with Mick Jagger

Greg Hlatky said...

The name "Brenda" comes from the British satirical magazine Private Eye, where the Queen is called "Brenda", the Duke of Edinburgh "Keith", the Prince of Wales "Brian" and Princess Diana "Cheryl"

virgil xenophon said...

I'm certainly not the first to make the observation about the fact that, all things considered, it's truly a miracle that Richards is even breathing, let alone talking or thinking semi-coherently. All I have to say in this regard is that, LOL, medical science is missing out. They should study his immune system intensely--they might not only find the cure for cancer but the secret of eternal life if lived normally. (Or as close to it as is possible in this drug-addled age.)

traditionalguy said...

Thanks Greg...So is Camilla called Fido?

virgil xenophon said...

PS: And as Keith and I are the same age--66--I guess that makes us both out to be geriatric soul-mates. LOL!!

ricpic said...

Even from a distance you can tell Jagger is unbearable.

virgil xenophon said...

LOL. I see traditional guy is a devotee of the band OK "A Million Ways To Be Cruel" GO!

Unknown said...

50 years as a group? Considering people are still buying new recordings from these guys, I'll give them a pass for a certain amount of ego. They've survived almost everybody.

Kind of like being the only living T Rex today.

traditionalguy said...

Thanks Greg...So is Camilla called Fido?

So I guess Bill and Harry are Hoss and Little Joe, or something

bandmeeting said...

The Johnny Depp story does not have a ring of authenticity. He spent two years around the guy and never spoke, never discussed who he was or what he did for a living? Never a, "Hey, dad, this is Johnny Depp, he's in movies. I'm pretty sure you've seen some of the stuff he's been in."?

And, no, "Keith Richards lives in a fog" is not an explanation.

traditionalguy said...

Virgil X...Sorry for the cruelty. I still keep my Princess Di coffee table book around. Camilla had a hard act to follow...or was Camilla always the Prince's lover and the House of Windsor just used Diana as young breeding stock? Life is cruel around Royals.

Bob_R said...

I just got "Ladies and Gentlemen, The Rolling Stones" on Blu-Ray. A good, if not great, 1972 concert film. Great performances of songs from the early '70's - Sticky Fingers/Exile - my favorite Stones era. Camera work could be better. Sound quality could be better. But the band is at the end of a tour and tight - but still energetic. Also good to see the Stones perform as a straight rock band with no gimmicks. I don't really care if they loved each other or hated each others guts. They could play together.

MayBee said...

About 7 years ago, I was at a Stones concert in the 4th row. They were amazing, and Richards was too. But about halfway through the concert, he looked up and you could just see the shock on his face. It was like "Whoa! When did all these people get here?"

ndspinelli said...

Johnny Depp is the real deal. Everyone who had contact w/ him making Public Enemies said he was a real gentleman. I've seen this guy stand for hours signing autographs...no attention for it, no cameras. And Depp is a superb actor w/ no fear...he'll play any role, always looking for challenges.

Conversely, @ the Oscars last year, that smug George Clooney made sure there were cameras when he went over to the huddled masses and signed a few autographs. I think he actually touched Negroes and Indians.

TMink said...

Keith lives in a chemical induced fog is actually a wonderful explanation. And the guy has been ignoring hangers on for 50 years.

Much as I love the Stones and think Mick is a PITA, I am not accepting Keith's word on anything other than how good the weed is.

That is something he knows about.

Trey

Fred4Pres said...

In other celebrity tidbits... Richards was in the presence of Johnny Depp — a friend of his son's — for 2 years before he recognized that the guy was Johnny Depp. One night, he looked across the dinner table and suddenly thought "Whoa! Scissorhands!"

All I can think of this is your brain (an egg) and then cracking it into a hot pan and this is your brain on drugs.

Christy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Wince said...

I've had a glimpse of this dynamic over the years, especially at closed rehearsals.

Mick is much more involved outside the circle of musicians in the business affairs of the band and his next conquest, while Keith is more content to hang out with the the band and seems more family oriented.

One time, when Keith missed the first day of rehearsal after finishing Pirates, Mick may have been a little jealous. Mick didn't like the venue and decided to move the entire rehearsal across town overnight. When Keith showed up the next day, Mick missed the final two days of rehearsal because he didn't feel well.

You could see Keith loosen up when he learned Mick wouldn't be there. Keith start the rehearsal by sharing a smoke on stage.

They seem like an old couple who, after 50 years, still need, love and therefore tolerate each other -- even if they don't especially "like" each other -- by having come to terms with their differences.

Banshee said...

As a person whose facial recognition skills are not high, I can truthfully say that I never would have recognized a young Johnny Depp unless he was made up and had a nametag on. He's gotten less bland-looking as he's aged, so he might actually register now.

As for name recognition -- the man's got known hearing problems. He probably thought the kid's name was Johnny Deth or something.

Christy said...

A favorite part of Pirates of the Caribbean III, I laughed out loud and clapped my hands in delight, was when we met Keith Richards as Jack's father. I'd heard that Depp had played Jack as Keith Richards, but didn't know that Depp had actually spent time with the man.

Reposted correctly because spell-check is my friend.

Mick said...

Keef is god.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vR4mSkshCA8

Mick said...

Don't take it so hard Mick!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-hDxTVvG-4&feature=related

From one of the great albums nobody knows about "Talk is Cheap".

The Crack Emcee said...

One night, he looked across the dinner table and suddenly thought "Whoa! Scissorhands!"

Cocaine is one hell of a drug!

Wince said...

Mick, is that you?

Love your choice of Boston video clips!

I was actually a few feet away on stage right (fortunately not visible in that Take it So Hard video) during those memorable X-Pensive Winos shows in Boston in 1993 that were originally filmed for Japanese TV, which have come back as bootlegs.

Those dueling interviews of Mick and Keith about Knighthood took place behind the stage at Fenway Park in 2005.

As for Keith being a family guy...

Mick said...

EDH said,

"I was actually a few feet away on stage right (fortunately not visible in that Take it So Hard video) during those memorable X-Pensive Winos shows in Boston in 1993 that were originally filmed for Japanese TV, which have come back as bootlegs."


I saw that tour also. I believe it was in late 1992 at the Fox Theatre, Atlanta.

Mark said...

My understanding is that Keith's weapon of choice is heroin, but that it's all good in a pinch.

Cedarford said...

About the only two I'd believe such a story about are Keith Richards and Ozzie Osbourne.

If we are honest, too, Keith Richards IS the Rolling Stones sound, and Mick is the appealing frontman and co-songwriter and the bigger celebrity.

Keith Richards is also a hero to many for spitting in the face of the pure lifestyle Nazis for 50 years.

I see a ruined, polluted Earth in our future. Humanity wiped out. Only a few cockroaches and Keith Richards left alive. Keith chasing down the cockroaches to smoke them to get a buzz