A good friend (music producer) called and told me he had just read Keith Richard's biography in one sitting and that I had to read it, asap.
I ordered Life on audio CD since I am doing so much driving. It's narrated by none other than Johnny Depp, who does a great job. I've gotten through 6 chapters (slowly savoring) and am only up to 1965, when they had just really taken off with Satisfaction, and Keith was just starting to get into the drugs.
The man kept diaries all the way back. He starts out with a great hook scene of troubles with the law in Arkansas or Alabama (one of those red neck places) while they were on tour and then goes back to the end of World War 2 and his childhood in bombed-out London. The writing is detailed and interesting, in a very strong voice.
The story of the Stones early development is fascinating. They had NO money; they stole to get Charlie Watts, and Bill Woods came with an amplifier they needed for their first big gig. They were blues men straight through. The rock and roll thing evolved as they took blues riffs and attitude and gave the Chicago Blues back to white Amercia through rock/pop.
I highly recommend the read to any Stones fan.
They are, after all, the World's Greatest Rock n Roll Band!!
And it's amazing that man lived to tell the tale.
Thanks for sharing, Keith.
Life: Keith Richard's Biography
