Keith Richards: The Biography

Sandford is generally an excellent rock biographer - thorough, perceptive, even intuitive, and writes sublimely, with wit, intelligence and dry humor. Having deftly handled a biography of Mick Jagger, covering the fascinating life of Keith Richards should be as simple as rolling out of bed; I mean, half of it has already been written. Unfortunately, it's not quite that simple. Keith did not grant personal access, and apparently his people tried to block access to others with interesting stories to tell as well, and so what we get is less personally insightful than we would have liked. In the end, the book comes off as a third-person review of Keith's life, told at a distance from events. This does not make it incomplete or without value - although there are some stories that are described differently in other books and biographies both about Keith and others (especially Woody's autobio) - but it becomes a one-volume retelling of the material as gleaned from other books, magazines, newspapers, and the like. The deep drilling into Richards' personality, which would be heavy lifting for anyone, is missing except insofar as various songs are discussed as insights into what Keef was thinking at the time. That said, again, Sandford writes beautifully. I did not think the umpteenth retelling of the Stones' growing up and the band forming could ever be made interesting again, or the tragedy that was Brian Jones made readable again, and yet this book does it and then some. The highs and lows are all covered, including every drug bust, and through it all the author's respect, admiration, even reverence for his subject are evident. And of course, the story ends on a high note, with Keith as the ultimate rock and roll survivor, the embodiment of what rock IS, happy amid family, books, and limitless wealth in Connecticut, having lived life his way without compromise. No book on Keith Richards coming in at under 2000 pages will ever be complete or the final word. This one isn't either, though what Keith was concerned about revealing to Sandford, an admirer, is hard to guess. It remains an entertaining and engaging read.

This is a great book that explores Keith Richards extraordinary body of work. Although I have been a major Stones fan since 1964 I learned a great deal about the history and dynamics of the Stones. Keith is a tremendously gifted individual and I found it fascinating to read about his difficulties with Mick Jagger and his strong belief that the Stones must stay true to their musical roots.

Satisfaction isn't the rehashed bio that some would call it. Instead it approaches the subject of Keith Richards from a different perspective. It gives a good picture of the working class background he came from, especially as his hometown of Dartford was hit hard by the German bombers in WW2. Richards emerges as a bit of a mother's boy, alienated from his taciturn father, and not particularly interested in school. Music was a large part of his family from his mother's side, and as hard as it is to imagine, Richards was also a soloist as a boy at Westminster Abbey. So there's a good background of his childhood and youth. As Richards met Mick Jagger and Brian Jones, the theme begins, of Richards being the most important part of what became the Rolling Stones. Certainly the author presents a strong argument; for all the influences he has had, such as Muddy Waters and Chuck Berry, Keith Richards crafted a sound with the Rolling Stones that became unique, and it's impossible to imagine another guitar player who could create such a sound. Much is written here of Richards' (and Jagger's) single-minded dedication as well, to adapt as necessary to success but never losing the fundamental core of what the band was all about. The darker side of Richards is explored as well, and certainly Sandford pulls no punches in showing what happens to young men who come into a ton of money. Richards' drug use nearly wrecked the group in the 1970's, and unlike other writers Sandford rightly stays away from glamourizing any of this. After reading through this one is amazed that Richards is alive and well in 2005. On the downside, the book does tend to cover familiar ground in the second half. Sandford also has written a book on Mick Jagger, but it's hard to tell since he is given so little credit or mention to the singer here. As much as Richards crafted the sound of the group, Jagger is just as vital to the group, it should go without saying. It's interesting to read that while Richards was at the height of his rock and roll lifestyle, with the drugs, his house burning down, the cars he crashed fairly regularly, he still was a homebody who would go to his mother's for shepherd's pie and bangers and mash. The man who wrote "Sympathy For The Devil" also has become an old English uncle type in his 60's, and Sandford does a good job describing Keith's change into an elder statesman. Overall a good read with some new perspectives.

From some of the quotes Kieth gives in the beginning of the book about his childhood, all the way to the end of this rather long book, you'll enjoy his rich, british, sense of humor. Bockris has written an autobiography about his life, not just about the crazy years Kieth spent battling heroin addiction. As hard as life can be, even being a herion addict, he can joke about his drug use and make the reader laugh. As much as I oppose using drugs, I admire Keith Richards as a musician and as seemingly honest,funny caring man who has outlasted many others in his profession. This book tells the story of a man who comes from "good stock" and I am sure you will enjoy reading it.

You don't have to be a Keith Richards fan to thoroughly enjoy this book. Like him or not, he's one of rock & roll's most fascinating characters and, as such, his life story makes for a damn good read. Although Bockris does tend to romanticize some of Richards' darker (i.e. violent and/or self-destructive) moments, he unflinchingly explores all aspects of the legendary musician's personality. Don't expect much in the way of pictures, however. Only one photo is featured per chapter and it's a shame because Richards is as interesting to see as he is to read about.