Fear was my gateway to becoming interested in stories. My nanny growing up, a Scottish expat named Jackie with a fox pelt of red hair and a manic...
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sharrona, November 11, 2012 (view all comments by sharrona)
A terrific fun read! This autobiography gave me lots of insight into Keith Richards' world, and some fascinating background information on The Rolling Stones. Not one to "dish dirt," Richards wrote mostly about his own experiences, and took full responsibility for the bad and good things that have happened to him.
Within this unfiltered picture of the "sex, drugs, rock&roll" sixties (and well beyond) he focuses mainly on the music. I found myself unable to give the book away after reading it, because there are so many parts I want to read again. For example, he talks a lot about unusual music techniques used in specific songs, making me want to grab the right CD and listen to each with his explanation in mind.
Richards' story is not told in strictly chronological order. Chapters are short and peppy. Many times he'll mention a person or situation briefly, and add "But that's another story," and the reader can look forward to finding that story later in the book.
Even though I've been a fan of the Rolling Stones' music for more than 50 years, I knew little about the individual band members beyond what appeared in newspapers. Having attended a number of their concerts, I had some appreciation for Keith Richards as a musician. This book surprised me by making me fond of him as a person.
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MusicLvr, August 13, 2012 (view all comments by MusicLvr)
A recent post on Facebook showed a recent image of Keith Richards, jammining next to a headline that reads: Outlived Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston and Donna Summer--didn't see that coming. Keith has staying power and musical passion that can't be matched. When a 40th anniversary edition of Exile on Main Street sold millions of copies, even he was impressed. He knew the music was great when they created it, and was glad to see it still holds up. Despite the drug use and addiction and definance to rules and reckless living, he shows himself to be a guy's guy, interested in music and open to life's experiences. That he survived to tell it all is a fun read for the rest of us.
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MusicLvr, August 13, 2012 (view all comments by MusicLvr)
A recent post on Facebook showed a recent image of Keith Richards, jammining next to a headline that saves: Outlived Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston and Donna Summer--didn't see that coming. Keith has staying power and musical passion that can't be matched. When a 40th anniversary edition of Exile on Main Street sold millions of copies, even he was impressed. He knew the music was great when they created it, and was glad to see it still holds up. Despite the drug use and addiction and definance to rules and reckless living, he shows himself to be a guy's guy, interested in music and open to life's experiences. That he survived to tell it all is a fun read for the rest of us.
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lpct, January 28, 2012 (view all comments by lpct)
I don't think I would have normally read this book (I usually read fiction) but my guitar-playing husband raved about it. Once I started reading,it was hard to put down.The insider view of the music scene in the 60's and 70's is great and Richards' stories alternate between being tragic and hilarious. The wild rock and roll lifestyle is obviously an entertaining background, but his story is also a detailed example of what it takes to really excel at something.
james t, January 1, 2012 (view all comments by james t)
"Life" was a suprising read! Well written, interesting, fun, and informative. For memebers of "Keif's" generation (he and I are within a month of the same age) it more fun than one's own memoir might be. His detailed review of his guitar education should be of interest to anyone of any age who has guitar playing aspirations. I wished that there had been a CD with all the music references on it to go with the book! Maybe with the next edition? Or a project for another producer/publisher. Great stuff...."Italy for breakfast"! I would wish Keif was a close friend....
Product details
576 pages
Little Brown and Company -
English9780316034388
Reviews:
"Staff Pick"
by Rico,
This riveting autobiography by celebrated (and famously hard-living) guitar legend Keith Richards reads with the unforgettable hook and crisp ferocity of the best Rolling Stones songs — most of which you'll rush to replay after learning about their creation.
by Rico
"Staff Pick"
by Cindy P.,
Admit it, you didn't expect Keith to remember much, did you? Well, you were so wrong. His story is off-the-charts awesome, and, taken along with the Stones in Exile documentary, it made my year. Together they are everything I always wanted from my favorite genius outlaw.
by Cindy P.
"Review A Day"
by Jeff Baker, The Oregonian,
"Keith Richards, 19 years old and a good kid at heart, wrote a letter to his Aunt Patty in 1962. After joking about the English weather — "I wonder which day summer falls on this year?" — he describes meeting Mick Jagger on a train station..." (Read the entire Oregonian review)
"Synopsis"
by heidi@powells.com,
In a voice that is uniquely and unmistakably him — part growl, part laugh — Keith Richards brings us the truest rock-and-roll life of our times, unfettered and fearless and true.
Powell's City of Books is an independent bookstore in Portland, Oregon, that fills a whole city block with more than a million new, used, and out of print books. Shop those shelves — plus literally millions more books, DVDs, and eBooks — here at Powells.com.
