Keith Richards Tribute to George Jones
The funeral for country legend George Jones was held Thursday in Nashville, and although unable to attend, his friend Keith Richards is remembering him by issuing the following statement: “George Jones has left us. We have lost one of the most individual singers of all time. I cannot express the emptiness I feel.
"George was as country as it can get, but he was beyond any bag you want to put him in. He was pure American music without ever waving a flag -- you can hear a million imitations on the radio every day -- but there was, and ever will be, only one George Jones.
"He possessed the most touching voice, the most expressive ways of projecting that beautiful instrument of anyone I can call to mind. You heard his heart in every note he sang. Frank Sinatra called him the second best singer ever. (The number-one obviously being Frank!) I would contest that.
"I truly loved 'The Possum.' He was as crazy as me, and just as free…and, oh boy, could he hang.”
Richards was planning to be a surprise guest at Jones’ tour ending finale in Nashville in November.