It's Only Rock and Roll
[image error]But it's fascinating. Have you followed the press from Life, Keith Richards's memoir (with writer James Fox), out now? I'd heard some snippets:
Keith doesn't really like Mick Jagger.
He calls Mick "her majesty" and "Brenda."
That Mick has a small penis. (A fact disputed by Mick's ex, Jerry Hall).
John Lennon was, to Richards, a "silly sod in many ways."
He didn't realize his son's friend was Johnny Depp until sitting across from him at the dinner table when it finally hit him. "Whoa, Scissorhands."
All of this, I admit, made me laugh and meshed with my impression of Keith Richards and the Rolling Stones. I never really liked the Stones, but I do like a few of their songs. Up until now, my biggest impression of Keith Richards has been to wonder how is he still alive, or to laugh at the old joke that when the world ends, all that will be left is Keith Richards and some cockroaches.
What can I say? My teen years were in the 80s. The Stones were still making music, but the Tattoo You album didn't do it for me.
I could buy Keith's assessment of Mick. I could totally see him calling Mick "Brenda." Curious, I picked up the book recently (picked it up, didn't buy it) and looked for some interesting passages. More interesting to me now? Mick Jagger has written a response that also fits with my impressions of Keith, Mick, and the Stones.
Mick Jagger's Response, published by Bill Wyman (the reporter, not the Rolling Stone) in Slate magazine, a supposed mistake as Bill speculates the article was intended for Bill Wyman, the Rolling Stone, but I am not buying it.
It amazes me that these guys have been in the spotlight for so long, making some serious money, and going through some astounding ups and downs. I guess I started writing romance because the dynamics of human relationships intrigue me, and though this is not a romantic couple, it's still a long-term, very involved, and simply amazing relationship to study.
Mick's response is staggeringly honest (from Mick's point of view, though the truth always lies somewhere closer to the middle with complex relationships) and earns some new respect for Mick Jagger. Well done! And perhaps better for Mick's version of events- it's a lot easier to read a 6 page summary than it is to have to slog through a whole book of birth-to-old-man details. Note to celebrity couples: wait until your ex comes out with the long dirty, drag out book and then write an article in response.
Which rock n roll memoir would you want to read? What celebrity relationship most intrigues you? Comment this week and be entered to win a $25 gift card for Borders, B & N, or Amazon.com (your choice).
