Frauke Ludowig (left) and Keith Richards (right)
Photo: Rolf Vennenbernd – Pool/Getty Images (left)/Sven Hoogerhuis/BSR Agency/Getty Images (right). All rights reserved.
During her very first interview with Keith Richards, “Exclusiv” presenter Frauke Ludowig experienced an unpleasant surprise. Instead of a handshake, she received a kiss on the lips from the Rolling Stones co-founder – and without her consent. Completely unacceptable from today’s perspective, but unfortunately common practice in the rock ‘n’ roll culture of the 90s.
Richards ups the ante when addressing the camera and boasts about his many relationships: “I’ve had many affairs. If I listed them all, you’d run out of movies.”
However, Ludowig found the guitarist’s actions repulsive at the time. “I was crazy excited and meticulously prepared – and then Keith Richards pushed his tongue down my throat first,” the presenter recalled in 2013 compared to “Bild”. “He was totally drunk, but he probably does that to all his interview partners. In any case, I was totally perplexed.”
Ludwig continues: “Is he a good kisser? I have no idea, he smelled so badly of Campari orange. At least: It didn’t stop me from continuing with this job. Fortunately, such physical exertion has never been required of me since then.”
A lot has changed since the 90s, but women today still get involuntary kisses from time to time. This was also the case recently in sport, when Spain’s football association chief Luis Rubiales kissed the player Jennifer Hermoso on the mouth at the women’s football World Cup. In the meantime, Rubiales has been suspended as president after sharp criticism, but not without vigorously defending himself and slipping into the role of victim.
The Stones recently released the single “Angry.” The accompanying album “Hackney Diamonds” will be released on October 20th.