Keith Richards Once Called Bruce Springsteen 'Pretentious'

Keith Richards, a founding member and co-principal songwriter of The Rolling Stones, once described Bruce Springsteen as "pretentious." Springsteen is widely regarded as a leading singer-songwriter, known for songs such as "Born to Run," "Atlantic City," "Thunder Road," and "Dancing in the Dark." Richards made critical remarks about several artists in his 2010 autobiography Life and in earlier interviews.

He wrote, "If there was anything better around, he’d still be working the bars of New Jersey," and said his critique was aimed at the music rather than Springsteen personally, noting he likes him as a person and that he’s "a nice guy." In a 1988 interview Richards said he had met Springsteen "two or three times" and that "four-hour shows really are way over the top.

To me, a great rock & roll act does twenty minutes [laughs]." When asked about Springsteen’s music he added, "Bruce? That’s a tough one...

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