Here’s a little review of a big book (possible spoiler alert in effect):
Life by Keith Richards
Hardcover, First Edition, 564 pages
Published October 26th 2010 by Little, Brown and Company
ISBN: 031603438X ISBN-13:9780316034388
I first saw the Rolling Stones on their Tattoo You Tour in the early 80’s. (October 4, 1981 at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado to be precise). I was just a kid myself at the time, but I remember Mick Jagger dropping roses from a cherry picker onto the crowd and the sound was phenomenal. Keith describes this tour as the last before Mick’s “betrayal” and the last big American tour in their pre-megatour period. In terms of showmanship, it was mostly Mick, with minimal spectacle from Keith, Bill, Charlie or Ron. I’ve seen them since, and I have somewhat similar recollections of later performances even if the overall stage show has become much more of a production. Mick was clearly the circus-master and the part of the act you really watched. But that in no way means that the Stones are just Mick Jagger’s back-up band. Anyone who has seen them play knows that what you hear is a sound defined by Keith’s guitar and Charlie Watts’ drums. Ron Wood is a really talented guitarist who adds a great deal and the bassist (Bill Wyman into the 90’s and Darryl Jones more recently) do their part. As Keith frequently reminds us, it’s a group effort. But lets face it, while Jagger may play a dominant role in the spectacle of their performance, Keith plays a huge part in that amazing sound and energy.
After reading Keith’s book, I realize why I’ve always loved the Stones, and a great deal of it comes down to Keith’s passion for the sound. He’s a guitarist who loves the tonal character of his instrument and has figured out that its quality it can be expanded more by simplifying and restructuring the tuning and playing with heart than by adding gizmos and effects. His 5-string open-G tuning (which he talks about at length in the book) is a great example of this. So too is his love of simple 8-track “room recording” techniques that capture the energy of the performance as well as the sound quality of the instruments. He has a childlike fascination with the guitar that has led him to explore and innovate in amazing ways. He reveals how his appreciation for different musical styles has factored into his own unique style. His early fascination with American Blues as experienced by many in England in the late 50’s and early 60’s — The same Muddy Waters and Big Bill Broonzy sound that inspired Clapton and ton of other young Brits — eventually opened him to Country and Reggae and he absorbed it all into his raw, open-tuned playing style. So, let Jagger be the ballerina in the spotlight, Keith’s going to be there making sure the sound hits the mark.
Keith’s descriptions of the inner politics of the Rolling Stones are at times surprising. Keith is brutal in his portrayal of Mick and others, and he lays out some of the myths and legends once and for all. Often, it’s not pretty. Occasionally you’ll read something that makes you think Keith is a complete nutter, often a total jerk. There are sections of his story where he talks about being a father and a herion-addicted rock-star which are truly uncomfortable. In these sections it’s impossible not to think about how hard the wild life must have been for his children, especially his son Marlon. But this is all part of his honest telling, and by book’s end, it’s impossible not to wish the man well. His life has been a wild, self-destructive and incredibly creative one.
His respect for Mick as a lyricist, for Charlie Watts’ abilities and Brian Jones’ shortcomings are all there to absorb in gory detail. So are some tales of drug consumption that would make Hunter S. Thompson cringe. When Keith dies, his body could be rechristened a pharmaceutical museum.
The book’s focus is clearly on his early life and the heyday years of the Stones (1964 to 1982). The last couple chapters paint the period since 1982 with fairly broad, anecdotal strokes. In this period you sense that Keith was cleaner (but not drug or alcohol free), more interested in books than syringes, and dedicated as much to his family as anything.
In 1989 I drove across the country alone and listened to Talk is Cheap most of the way. It was a gritty sound that I couldn’t get enough of. I still listen to it frequently. I was lucky enough to see him with the X-Pensive Winos and I must say, I have never heard a live performance from any band that could top it. In the book, he talks a great deal about musical influences, inspirations and collaborations. It’s all fascinating. I was amazed at how literate he is (despite his years of hard substance abuse), and was particularly impressed with his mention of Partick O’Brien’s Aubrey/Maturin series, which appears to be a favorite of us both.
I recommend this book to any looking for an honest and engaging Rock’n'Roll memoir. Whether you love the Stones or not, Life is a fascinating read. Keith Richards is the real thing.
Considering how much time I spend looking for new, interesting music, this blog has so far been a paltry reflection of my efforts. So, here is a recommendation for a very intriguing album by 
For some months now, I’ve been listening to 
