To make a rock’n’roll record, technology is the least important thing.

Richards’ remark asserts a core rock ethos: the decisive elements of a great record are performance, feel, songwriting, and attitude—not the sophistication of the gear. In this view, technology can capture or polish, but it cannot supply groove, swing, or conviction; too much emphasis on equipment risks sterilizing the music. The quote also reflects Richards’ long-standing preference for live interplay and “human” timing over studio perfectionism, aligning with the Rolling Stones’ reputation for prioritizing energy and spontaneity. As a broader aesthetic claim, it pushes back against the idea that innovation in recording tools automatically produces better art.