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June 2012: Keith Richards: Life

I’m about halfway through reading this. I enjoy reading about the music making process. Keith's passion for music is very apparent when he goes into detail about learning to play a certain chord as played by Jimmy Reed and being taught that chord by Bobby Goldsboro.

The book starts with his arrest for drugs in Arkansas during a 1975 US tour, then moves on to his parents, his childhood, school years, introduction to music and his interactions with the band. His early influences were American blues artists, country, R&B and doo-wop groups. He later toured with some of the musicians who inspired him.

There are plenty of names dropped as he traverses the areas of music, art, and film -- with drugs sometimes being the binder between those separate worlds. Also has some “Kiss and tell” and raunchy stuff throughout and Keith doesn’t hold back on what he really thinks of his band mates and others.
 
Very nice review, Occlith. You moved the book up to my "to buy" list, especially as I am just now (too late) trying to tame my fingers for chord making. Sounds like a companion piece to "Just Kids," in a different medium.
Many thanks,
:flowers:
 
I just started this book last night and am finding his perspective on the music business really interesting.
 
Just finished this book and I´ll try to make the review as brief as possible



It starts with a good zinger, but in order to enjoy this book more it helps that I am also a professional musician on the side of my main career study. I find that some people would get bored about a lot of the rambling ons that go about music, but he does attempt to make it readable for everyone. If you are a huge Rolling Stone´s fan then you´re probably already sold, because for a huge fan who also reads I cannot imagine such an individual not enjoying it. I admit I haven´t listened to that much Rolling Stoné´s, but as a musician I did enjoy the book. It was nonetheless interesting reading about the relationship he had with Mick Jagger. I give this book a recommendation to Rolling Stones fans and musician, but warn that the non musician may find it a bit tedious at points.
 
but warn that the non musician may find it a bit tedious at points.
Probably true but I (non-musician here) liked reading that kind of stuff. He didn't get too technical so I could follow most of it.

I got the impression that Keith likes to talk about fights. Punches thrown, kicks delivered, knives drawn, guns shot. And I had never read before about Charlie punching Mick…funny stuff that.
<O:p</O:p
The band dynamic is interesting too. Mostly it is Keith and Mick, and Mick’s attitude to others getting chummy with Keith. I would have liked to know more about Charlie since they seem to like and respect each other. I’m guessing that a lot of that has been covered in their biography and other books about the Stones, so Keith only lightly touches on many incidents.
 
Heh heh, yes. :lol: Based on what he said, I imagine that there is plenty he couldn't remember.
 
I have read all of the big rockstar autobios, but have read this is a bit of a downer.
I will have to grab it and catch up!
 
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