Matt Clifford is a record producer, lyricist, multi-instrumentalist,[1] and composer. Since 1989, he has been a recurring keyboardist and musical director for the Rolling Stones and a longtime collaborator[2] of Mick Jagger. He was described by author Gary L. Jucha in 2019 as "something of an enigma".[3]
Songwriting, production
Matt Clifford has written and produced multiple songs with Mick Jagger. He produced and co-wrote Jagger's singles "England Lost" and "Gotta Get a Grip"[4] and additionally produced the Jagger and Dave Grohl single "Eazy Sleazy".[5][6][7] Clifford also produced Goddess in the Doorway (2001).[8] In 1994, he "translated" Stones music and arranged it for Symphonic Music of the Rolling Stones (1994)[9][10]
The Rolling Stones
Matt Clifford started as a keyboardist and backup vocalist[11] for the Rolling Stones during the band's 1989 tour, Steel Wheels/Urban Jungle;[12][13] his vocals were considered "too polished for the Stones" by Spokesman-Review correspondent Don Adair.[11] He first started working with the band during sessions[3] in Barbados.[14] He has since played a variety of instruments for the band, including french horn,[15]saxophone, and flugelhorn,[16][17] and serves as the band's musical director.[18] In 1991, he played keyboards and french horn for Flashpoint.[19]Los Angeles Times critic Mikael Wood considered Clifford's musical contribution to the band's 2020 single "Living in a Ghost Town" to play a "prominent" role.[20] Clifford was the pianist for the band's 2023 album, Hackney Diamonds.[21]