When Marianne Faithfull passed away on January 30th, Keith Richards released a heartfelt statement expressing his sadness and condolences to her family. He said, "My heartfelt condolences to Marianne’s family! I am so sad and will miss her!!" This loss was deeply felt by many, especially those who knew her well.
In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Keith Richards opened up about his friendship with Marianne and shared several touching memories. He recalled the first time he met Marianne, fresh out of St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Convent School, and how he and Mick Jagger were struck by her presence. Keith reminisced about how Marianne was managed by Andrew Oldham, the Stones’ manager, who pushed Keith and Mick to write songs, leading to the creation of "As Tears Go By." He fondly remembered hearing Marianne sing the song for the first time and being impressed by her talent.
Keith also spoke about Marianne's influence on the Rolling Stones' music, noting her impact on songs like "You Can’t Always Get What You Want" and "Sister Morphine." He admired her strength and unique character, emphasizing that she should be remembered for her individuality and contributions to music. Keith acknowledged that he had been expecting the news of her passing for some time, given her health struggles, but it was still a very sad moment for him and many others who cherished Marianne Faithfull.
[Source: Classic Hits Today]