Life: Keith Richards with James Fox

By Magda Underdown-DuBois

If one has ever heard Keith Richards interviewed, one knows his stories are amazingly well remembered for a man who was rumored to exist only through artificial means. The front flap of the dust jacket of Life explains this memoir of Keith Richards’ life completely and succinctly, “This is the Life. Believe it or not I haven’t forgotten any of it. Thanks and praises Keith Richards.”

Expected was a standard rambling account of drugs, sex, and rock & roll. Instead, what was delivered displayed a coherent story of Tolkien-inspired male friendship; awkward yet endearing fumbles through art, business, and parenting; a tribute to those who didn’t survive; and music of all genres soaking into the words, like the mixed odor of tobacco and whiskey.

Chapter one dives straight into a standard Rolling Stones US drug bust which immediately catches the reader’s attention and confirms most of our best fears and worst hopes for the life of a touring musician in 1972. As Richards concludes that particular story with “It was a classic outcome for the Stones,” his reputation is upheld.

Then chapter two begins the fuller and more precise origins story, beginning with Richards’ early life in Kent during the late 1940s. By the end of the 547 pages (which lead up to the present day), one has learned that one life can be much more complicated than it seems.

The writing is presented in first person with Richards’ storytelling style securely driving the tale, but with James Fox’s navigation editing and giving directions. The two of them lead the reader from point A to point B without too many distractions. Of course, without the colorful language, various types of drug use, tragic death, red rage violence, and a streak of disrespect for figures of authority, it would not be the rock & roll lifestyle. For musicologists, that detailed chronological path, as well as the provided index, will be a blessing for research. The 32 plates of photographs also serve as an instant treasure, as well a visual time line, for Richards’ Life.

Whether one is simply a fan of Johnny Depp’s dad in Pirates of the Caribbean or a die-hard Stones fan, one will be pleasantly surprised to watch the evolution of Richards’ music as he layers his diverse roles: unifier of lost legends like Chuck Berry and the X-Pensive Winos; a Rasta brother learning Jamaican reggae from its modern-day drummers; Gram Parsons’ partner in country-western music; and his original dream to be a Chicago-style bluesman.

Interspersed with his own narrative, Richards brings in whole stories from others—from fellow musicians to family members—who are given space to tell their tales in their own words. Obviously, the story of Keith Richards’ Life has not been forgotten by others nor will it ever be.

Keith Richards’ Life was published in October 2010 by Little, Brown and Company. You can order it from the book’s website.