“Anyone who thinks he's sloppy is out of their minds”: Rolling Stones producer Don Was on why Keith Richards shouldn't be underestimated as both a rhythm and lead guitarist

Rolling Stones' guitarist Keith Richards performs at the Rod Laver Arena February 25, 2003 in Melbourne, Australia. The Rolling Stones will play in three major Australian cities as part of their 40 Licks World Tour 2003.

In the early ’90s, legendary bassist and record producer Don Was started what would become a very fruitful partnership with the Rolling Stones – a relationship that, as Was relates in a recent Bass Player interview, nearly didn't transpire…

“Mick and Keith came over and sat on either side of me, and both started talking at the same time,” Was recalls of that crucial first meeting. “Neither one of them yielded to the other guy. My head was whipping back and forth like I was watching a ping-pong match.”