Keith Richards: Life as a Rolling Stone

by Barbara Charone

Depicts the life and experiences of Keith Richards and portrays his musical career as a guitarist in the Rolling Stones rock band

Genres: Music, Biography

198 pages, Paperback

First published October 11, 1979

Reviews

[Heather Tuck]

For as long as I can remember Keith Richards has been the definition of cool for me. Before reading this book, I knew very little about the man outside of what you’d hear in the media and of course the music of The Rolling Stones. This book was not what I expected at all and after reading I am a bigger fan than I was before. Keith’s passion for music in all of its forms is inspiring. Because of this book I have discovered artists and music that I never knew existed. Yes, the man is flawed. He doesn’t glorify his substance abuse and his exploits but they are a part of his story and it’s all there. The history of The Rolling Stones and many of the people in their circle is fascinating. One of the most striking things to me aside from the history is how unbelievably loyal this man is. His outlook on friendship touched me at a time in my own life where I realize how much my own friends mean to me. I feel like I’m getting kinda sappy here but I absolutely LOVED this book. It’s a fantastic adventure and I highly recommend!

[Yvonne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Keith is debateably the most interesting member of the world's greatest rock n'roll band in my opinion. Keith comes across as a really good guy, smart, funny, generous, gregarious and his passion for great music and love of musicians really comes through.

He's open and honest about everything, particularly his drug use and addictions.

I enjoyed his discussions of other musicians, meeting his musical idols and influences- Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, Howling Wolfe and many more.

Yeah Keef is a lucky fucker, he had and has great, loyal friends and an incredible talent for writing funky, lasting, rocking music. The history of the Stones covers a lot of years, and for the most part is fascinating. I would like Keith if I met him, I'm sure. He's the real deal, a real rocker with a love of the underdog, and a big big heart.

[Zappyrat]

For as long as I can remember Keith Richards has been the definition of cool for me. Before reading this book, I knew very little about the man outside of what you’d hear in the media and of course the music of The Rolling Stones. This book was not what I expected at all and after reading I am a bigger fan than I was before. Keith’s passion for music in all of its forms is inspiring. Because of this book I have discovered artists and music that I never knew existed. Yes, the man is flawed. He doesn’t glorify his substance abuse and his exploits but they are a part of his story and it’s all there. The history of The Rolling Stones and many of the people in their circle is fascinating. One of the most striking things to me aside from the history is how unbelievably loyal this man is. His outlook on friendship touched me at a time in my own life where I realize how much my own friends mean to me. I feel like I’m getting kinda sappy here but I absolutely LOVED this book. It’s a fantastic adventure and I highly recommend!

[Lee Weinstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous read. Wish he would have talked more about he and Mick's relationship early on. The depth of their later relationship extremely well told. Entertaining. Inspirational. Hilarious. For anyone who loves to rock, this is a must. Loved Tom Waits: "In the old days they said the sound of a guitar could cure gout and epilepsy, sciatica and migraines. I think that nowadays there seems to be a deficit of wonder. And Keith seems to still wonder about this stuff. He will stop and hold his guitar up and just stair at it for a while. Just be rather mystified by it. Like all the great things in the world, women and religion and the sky...you wonder about it, and you don't stop wondering about it."

[Tom Schulte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kudos to Keith for a frank and open account of the Rolling Stones and revealing the more complex reality of his much stereotyped persona. Having recently watched “Stoned” I really appreciated with detailed retelling of the earliest years of the Stones. Of course the great albums and the drug busts get a thorough telling for the bulk of the book, but I feel a little cheated for his skimpy covering of the early 80’s on to today. Other than the squabbles between him and Mick, we get very little detail. Of course the albums weren’t as good, but the tours were the biggest ever and still there was so much “Life”, right? Maybe there’ll be a volume two…

[Julie_Davis]

So, I listened to this book via audiobook. Keith Richards had to have other people read the book from him (Hello....Johnny Depp fans.....listen to this one!). His accent, plus many years of doing drugs, has messed up his speech so much, the short part of the book that Keith actually read himself were like listening to a foreign language! Getting past that, I was fascinated by the history of the Rolling Stones, the drugs/alcohol/girls along with the hard work, and dedication to genuine blues music. Amazing. Makes me want to go out and buy a Rolling Stones CD!

[Milton Soong]

[Audio book] The first part on the formation of the band and his early life rates a solid 5 stars, at least if you have any interest in the early days of Rock and Roll and England in the early 60's. Later part of the book is less interesting, as it became just a trip report (and I mean that literally) of drug use and brush with the law. Johnny Depp was great as a narrator (for the first half of the book).

[Lesley Potts · Rating 1 out of 5]

Absolute drivel. He professes to be able to remember everything, but as far as I can tell he doesn't remember much at all and just keeps repeating it again and again. Plus, it;s really badly written. I think it may have been a better strategy to organize the book into sections dealing with topics rather than going for a linear telling of his life story. I am so disappointed because I was looking forward to reading this. What puzzles me is why so many readers think it;s a good book.

[Glorianne Roccanova · Rating 4 out of 5]

i really liked this book.. i believe it is out of print.....right now i am into reading books on keith richards and the rolling stones......i like to get different prespectives.....this person sounds like she was there.....it definetly shows the stones from a chick's way of thinking.....as opposed to all the books i read about them that were written by men....nothing new happened...just different recollections and take on things....

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of generic information on Keef like his sojourns to Morocco with Anita and having his dirty blood changed in Switzerland, but so what? There's so many cool photos of him in this book, and that's the real reason why you need this book, anyway. Who cares about the sins he's committed in the past? Some asshole's imitating him in Walt Disney movies these days!

[Keith B]

Great read! Honest and raw in a way only Keith could be. Insightful into his life personally, the Stones and his guitar playing. In comparison, Ozzie's auto was good but too sensational and Clapton's was too sedate. I re-newed my appreciation for the Rolling Stones (Tattoo You was one of the first jersey sleeved Rock shirts I owned) and look forward to re-discovering this book later.

[Patti Williams]

Some of this will surprise you (Keith loved being a boy scout?), and some of it won't (he's a pyromaniac). Some of it is ironic (health advice for nutrition), and some good stories not fully explored (I don't get the rock-n-roll marriage to Etta), but the best part DO NOT MISS is on the enriched version (iPad, Kindle), he reads chapter 13 and you can HEAR HIM dragging on a cigarette!

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally titled KEITH RICHARDS, this updated version unfortunately ruins the impact of the original. Charone started this in the dark days of Keith Richards' 1977 drug bust in Toronto. Then she backpedals back to the early days. In this edition it is all arranged in chronological order. Much less effective.

Still, a good look at the many adventures of Keith Richards.

[Janet Oja]

What a surprise! Keith Richards is a serious music nerd. I loved this book, although I have never been a big Rolling Stones fan. Great insight into the musical styles that influenced rock and roll.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This quite a good memoir, the reason being that so much of it is about the music ("It's one thing to play a Muddy Waters song. It's another thing to play with him.") as opposed to the usual rock-star egomania. Don't be deceived by the silly drug-and-cop-chase first chapter.

[Valerie Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to really admire Keith Richards after this honest look at his life.

[Danielle]

Keith, I love you!!

[Mark Slee]

Fantastic. Well-written, articulate, fascinating.

[Shirls]

took me back in time...

[Kathy]

A great read for Stones fans. Keith IS the heart and soul of the Stones. he is intelligent, articulate, and funny. What a life!!

[Cynthia Frazer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would have loved a soundtrack to accompany this bio, as a blues fan. This is a musician's, as opposed to typical celebrity bio. An important distinction, to my mind.

[Richard Houghton · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all time favourite books about the Rolling Stones.

[Dan Fahlgren]

Great Book. I'd recommend it to every Rock and Roll Fan.