Apr 27 2011

Keith is Disruptive!

The Tribeca Film Festival (TFF), in collaboration with noted Harvard Business School professor Clay Christensen, held the second edition of the Tribeca Disruptive Innovation Awards on April 26. Honorees included Wikipedia Founder Jimmy Wales, Defense Advanced Research Projects Administration (DARPA) and author David Brooks and our own Keith Richards!

Keith was recognized for his use of the "Open G Tuning" method of guitar playing. Instead of the six strings used in standard guitar tuning, in the late 60's Keith created a disruptive innovation by playing chords and riffs on five-string open G banjo tuning on his electric guitar. "It changed my life," said Richards. This innovative use of Open G tuning embodied the hallmark sound of the Rolling Stones, leaving an indelible mark on rock and roll.

Keith's manager of 25 years, Jane Rose, accepted the award on his behalf. Festival co-founder and disruptive innovation spearheader Craig Hatkoff explained that he had always wondered why his version of "Honky Tonk" never sounded quite right. When he finally discovered Open G, "it sounded like a goddamn orchestra," he said.

To learn more about the 2nd Annual Tribeca Disruptive Innovation Awards and the full list of honorees, visit the Tribeca Film Festival Website.

keithrichards.com

No doubt TFF was hoping that Keith hisself would've accepted the award...

Jane is holding up quite nicely. 

That's ma boy. Cause a disturbance, Keith!