I have only been playing guitar for 2 years...but strongly listened and leant my ear to music my whole life.
Its only my opinion man...I'm glad you have a respect for richards like that...he's a good songwriter and chord strummer...but in no means does he have any respect for me for his "skills" (unless he hasn't fully unleashed them)
*that is MY OPINION* (YOU have your OWN!)
No hard feelings? :)
Pray for Jason Becker