Susanna Hoffs and Elvis Costello pay musical homage to Keith Richards at 81

In celebration of Keith Richards' 81st birthday, Susanna Hoffs and Elvis Costello have collaborated on a rendition of The Rolling Stones' "Connection," a track from the 1967 album Between the Buttons that originally featured shared vocals by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. Susanna Hoffs, co-founder of The Bangles, is renowned for her distinctive voice on hits like "Walk Like an Egyptian," "Eternal Flame" and "Manic Monday."

Born on January 17, 1959, in Los Angeles, she grew up in a creative environment and later studied art at the University of California, Berkeley. In 1981, she co-founded The Bangles, achieving significant success throughout the 1980s. Elvis Costello, born Declan Patrick MacManus on August 25, 1954, in London, emerged from London's pub rock scene in the early 1970s. He became a seminal figure in the new wave and British punk movements, known for his sharp lyrics and genre-blending music.

Reflecting on the collaboration, Hoffs shared her admiration for Richards, stating, "I love Keith, his smile, his swagger, his songwriting—the way he moves on stage, as if his guitar is a part of his body and together they meld with the music and the emotion of the song."

She also noted that Richards has sung lead on three of her favorite Rolling Stones songs: "Happy," "You Got The Silver," and "Connection." (Richards sang on some other Stones songs, too, in addition to having his own solo career.)

The Rolling Stones bringing artists together

Costello expressed his enthusiasm for working with Hoffs again, remarking, "What a gas to sing with Sue again. I’d be the ‘Keith’ to her ‘Mick’ any day. The cover of "Connection" features a lineup of accomplished musicians, including guitarist Albert Lee, bassist Davey Faragher, drummer Pete Thomas, guitarist/organist Jeff Alan Ross, and mandolinist John Jorgenson.

Previously, Hoffs collaborated with members of Costello's band, The Imposters, on her 2023 covers album The Deep End, which included a rendition of The Rolling Stones' "Under My Thumb." Additionally, she partnered with Matthew Sweet on the Under The Covers series, releasing three albums that pay homage to songs from the '60s, '70s, and '80s. This collaboration between Hoffs and Costello not only honors Keith Richards but also showcases the enduring influence of The Rolling Stones on contemporary artists.

You can listen to their rendition of "Connection" here: