Historical Figure
Keith Richards
b. 1943
English guitarist (born 1943)
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"Rolling Stones LA Forum 1975 Tour Documentary" — 2015
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Biography
Keith Richards is an English musician, songwriter, singer and record producer who is an original member, guitarist, secondary vocalist, and co-principal songwriter of the Rolling Stones. His songwriting partnership with the band's lead vocalist Mick Jagger is one of the most successful in history. His career spans over six decades, and his guitar playing style has been a trademark of the Rolling Stones throughout the band's career. Richards gained press notoriety for his romantic involvements and illicit drug use, and he was often portrayed as a countercultural figure. First professionally known as Keith Richard, in 1978 he fully asserted his family name.
Timeline
The story of Keith Richards, told in moments.
The Rolling Stones formed. Richards and Mick Jagger had reconnected on a train platform at Dartford station. Jagger was carrying Muddy Waters and Chuck Berry records. They started writing songs together. That partnership hasn't stopped.
Let It Bleed was released. Richards pioneered open-G tuning on tracks like "Gimme Shelter" and "Street Fighting Man." His five-string guitar approach, removing the low E, became his signature sound. Spare, raw, unmistakable.
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Rolling Stones. Rolling Stone later ranked him fourth among the 100 greatest guitarists. He also released Talk Is Cheap with his side project the X-Pensive Winos.
Published his memoir, Life. It sold over a million copies in its first weeks. Richards wrote about heroin, car crashes, falling out of a coconut tree in Fiji, and somehow outliving almost everyone. He'd become rock's most famous survivor.
In Their Own Words (12)
Rap — so many words, so little said. What rap did that was impressive was to show there are so many tone-deaf people out there. All they need is a drum beat and somebody yelling over it and they're happy. There’s an enormous market for people who can't tell one note from another.
Reported in Jon Blistein, "Keith Richards: Rap Is for 'Tone-Deaf People'", Rolling Stone (September 3, 2015)., 2015
This morning on Dartford station a guy I knew at primary school came up to me. He's got every record Chuck Berry made. He is called Mick Jagger.
From letter to Keith's aunt Keef comes clean, The Times p4, 15 Oct 2010., 2010
I thought rock and roll was an unassailable outlet for some pure and natural expression of rebellion. It used to be one channel you could take without ever havin' to kiss arse, you know?
Rolling Stone; reported in "In quotes: Keith Richards", BBC (April 4, 2007)., 2007
There are certain guys that are band players and there's certain guys that ain't. If there's anybody lazier than me, it's Eric (Clapton).
Mojo magazine; reported in "In quotes: Keith Richards", BBC (April 4, 2007)., 2007
I was number one on the Who's Likely To Die list for 10 years. I mean, I was really disappointed when I fell off the list.
NME; reported in "In quotes: Keith Richards", BBC (April 4, 2007)., 2007
Artifacts (15)
The Rolling Stones arrives in Finland for a concert in Pori at midsummer June 25, 1965.
Hietanen, V. K.
The Rolling Stones arrives in Finland for a concert in Pori at midsummer June 25, 1965.
Hietanen, V. K.
The Rolling Stones arrives in Finland for a concert in Pori at midsummer June 25, 1965.
Hietanen, V. K.
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