Life

Keith Richards

Oct 2010 · Sold by Little, Brown

About this ebook

The long-awaited autobiography of Keith Richards, guitarist, songwriter, singer, and founding member of the Rolling Stones.

With The Rolling Stones, Keith Richards created the songs that roused the world, and he lived the original rock and roll life.

Now, at last, the man himself tells his story of life in the crossfire hurricane. Listening obsessively to Chuck Berry and Muddy Waters records, learning guitar and forming a band with Mick Jagger and Brian Jones. The Rolling Stones's first fame and the notorious drug busts that led to his enduring image as an outlaw folk hero. Creating immortal riffs like the ones in "Jumping Jack Flash" and "Honky Tonk Women." His relationship with Anita Pallenberg and the death of Brian Jones. Tax exile in France, wildfire tours of the U.S., isolation and addiction. Falling in love with Patti Hansen. Estrangement from Jagger and subsequent reconciliation. Marriage, family, solo albums and Xpensive Winos, and the road that goes on forever.

With his trademark disarming honesty, Keith Richard brings us the story of a life we have all longed to know more of, unfettered, fearless, and true.

Ratings and reviews

This is a wonderful book, if you are over the age of 50 and have at least a passing acquaintance with the history of the Rolling Stones. It is Richards' stream-of-consciousness portrayal of his tumultuous life. If we are to take the man at his word concerning his drug abuse, it seems doubtful that his recollections could be as accurate as he claims. Richards covers this by including eye-witness accounts from among his co-survivors. Too bad he had already used up the title "Through the Past, Darkly".

I consider Keith to be one of the more fortunate people who have ever lived. He starts out letting us know how he has been awake for the equivalent of 4 lifetimes. He slept as little as possible that way he missed less of what he was experiencing with the band and his life. He and Johnny Depp share with the listener the very best of that life so far. It shows a sensitive side to Keith while it illustrates his ability to handle and over come the hard knocks that people through his and the bands way.

I loved every single page of this book! Keith is one of my favorite people ever, after all, and being able to read all of this, straight from the man himself is amazing! It's gold, every story he tells and recalls. It's like talking to him. Plus, the book plays out almost like a movie or some fantastic work of fiction that I can hardly believe really took place. What an extraordinary Life indeed.

About the author

Keith Richards was born in London in 1943. A guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, and cofounder of the Rolling Stones, he has also released solo albums with his band, The X-Pensive Winos. He lives in Connecticut with his wife, Patti Hansen.

James Fox was born in Washington, D.C., in 1945 and has known Keith Richards since the early 1970's when he was a journalist for the Sunday Times in London. His books include the international bestseller White Mischief. He lives in London with his wife and sons.