fascinating read

[Paul]

This book is a testimony to the capriciousness of life. By all rights, Keith Richards should have died a hundred times. His life is so filled with craziness that it could be the envy of most people but what I got out of the book was what a lunatic life he lived: definitely not for me. The greatest revelation was what a great songwriter he was and how he went about his writing. I don't think he gets enough credit for this because of his bad boy reputation. I really enjoyed the book and especially appreciated the unadulterated picture of his behavior. He must have been a very difficult man to live with but probably all musical geniuses are.

[Ann]

I found this fascinating as well. Amused that he is bitter about Mick taking responsibility for business decisions when even he admits he was high or drunk most of the time.

[Susan]

amazing conversation at book club after this read

[Georgia]

I was a big fan of the Rolling Stones in high school in the late 60's - I enjoyed the book & the back stories of some of their best music. It's amazing that Keith isn't dead! I've had a renewed appreciation of the music.

[[deleted user]]

Surprised more people haven't read. Also surprised that anyone would bang on and on about how surprising it is Keith's alive. Have you actually read this book?

[Billy]

I found this book a really good read. What i really liked about it is the fact that for aband you no longer think of as musical, rather they play the hits and rake in the money. They/Keith seem to have a real love of music.

I am not sure he came across as bitter at mick jagger for running the bussiness while he was unable to, but unhappy that mick was not willing to reliqish control when he was able to.

[Deb]

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. What an insight to such a different life. All that really mattered was the music.

[Rick]

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. I was never a huge fan of the Stones, but Keith really wrote this book with the right tone. I won't say he came across as completely 'down to earth', but he was as reasonably down to earth as a person in his position can be. An entertaining insight into an extraordinary life and time.

[Tiredoldbevo]

What a great read! I didn't know that Keith was the songwriter; Mick the lyricist.

[Linda]

I thought this was one of the best autobiographies I have ever read. I enjoyed it so much and learnt a lot about Keith. He came across as a really nice guy not like the person you read in the papers.

[Deb]

I enjoyed the book so much that I bought the audio version. It was brilliant to listen to as I drove to work and back. When they were discussion certain pieces of music, I would pop the music in and listen to that. Could easily go back and read it again.

[Rod]

He's one of my favourite guitarists and musicians. But what an idiot. His friends are dying around him (for many decades) and his excuse is they haven't learned how to buy and take drugs PROPERLY. I'm glad he's not a politician.
No thanks Keif for the impact and wisdom you've shared with millions of teenagers who looked up to you.
Of course, anyone who gets their logic and morality from a rockstar is in big trouble.
You still got the best sounding Telecaster in the world. :)

[Dermott]

I enjoyed this book. Keith is a smart guy, an old time rocker and self styled bad boy. He was a junkie, too and who knows what might've been, if he hadn't but then, that's the point, isn't it? 'Life' is the title, Keith just cut out out the 'That's'.

[Annette]

I sampled the book first and I was so drawn to it. I was never a big fan of the Stones, but was always intrigued by Keith persona. He is a musical genius.

[Ricky]

I loved the honesty that the Keef laid out there...warts and all. Heroin addiction is on bad MOFO to have clinging on the back, but he pulled through. I'd entitle the book "Lucky".

[Dermott]

There's an interesting article in the current edition of MOJO magazine, dealing with the contribution of Brian Jones to the Rolling Stones in the early years. The article suggests Jones' role has been played down by the so-called Glimmer Twins, Jagger and Richards and, if you've read 'Life', it is a good point. Certainly, Jagger and Richards, once they began writing their own songs, became the creative force in the band. But before that, Jones was the architect of the musical character they commanded, that set them apart.

[Paul]

As much as I enjoyed LIFE, I was dismayed by not only the writing, yet also by the fact that Richards handed off pages to others to write...i.e. his son Marlon, and I believe even model Kate Moss has a few passages! I love Keith Richards, and I enjoyed his book...though it was not an easy read.

[Rohin]

It got a bit tedious as he goes on and on about self indulgence and abuse. But a great insight into the rock n roll life.

[PennsyLady (Bev)]

I'll not repeat my review here but I'll add that Johnny Depp as narrator on the audio was outstanding.

I thought the book was great and of course Keith did a cameo appearance on the audio.

[Chad]

This is by far my favorite rock n' roll biography. I like that Keith isn't ashamed of his past and celebrates his mythology.

[Peter]

To start with I am a Rolling Stones fan and already knew about much of the history that Keith Richards goes into great detail about. This book is not written to win sympathy, it is not there to increase Richards’ allure, it a factual account of his life as he sees it. I found him quite candid and this led to a better understanding of his reasoning. Drugs were not recreation to begin with; they were a means of keeping going under a gruelling schedule in the early days of the band. In many ways Richards and the rest of the stones were pathfinders on the rock and roll journey, and what a journey it has been.

I would have thought that in reading this book people would also understand that the Stones are not actually about ‘just playing the hits and raking in the cash’, they still write and record new music it is just that the fans and the tour sponsors want to hear the hits at the concerts; their success is a kind of trap. Richards’ experiments with Wingless Angels and X-pensive Winos refreshed him with the freedom that he could not enjoy with the Rolling Stones back-catalogue.

Like any man he made mistakes in his life and he is brave enough to admit to quite a few and it is this honesty, this willingness not to blame other people, that makes the book such a good read. I thought that it was much better than Ronnie Wood’s autobiography.

[Linda]

Keith Richards wrote a great book, revealing so much about his personal life and the formation of the Rolling Stones. He is authentic, both as a writer and a gifted musician.

[William]

Paul wrote: "This book is a testimony to the capriciousness of life. By all rights, Keith Richards should have died a hundred times. His life is so filled with craziness that it could be the envy of most peop..."

Amazingly, I didn't come to this book knowing a ton about Richards life. I loved hearing about the catalysts for the songwriting and how they got written and performed.

[William]

Rick wrote: "I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. I was never a huge fan of the Stones, but Keith really wrote this book with the right tone. I won't say he came across as completely 'down to earth'..."

This book really turned me on to digging deep into listening to The Stones. Funny that I'm really getting into them after they've been a band for fifty years. I'm just a bit behind.

[Chris]

I absolutely loved this book. I expected tons of drug stories, but I didn't expect such a musical depth. As someone who plays rhythm guitar in a band, it was fascinating. We had some interesting discussions at band practice after I read this book.

[Linda]

He is a musical genius who also seems like a good guy, recently celebrating his thirtieth anniversary to Patti Hansen. I came away from the book with a greater respect for Keith Richards and the Rolling Stones. I loved his honesty and how he overcame adversity. The Rolling Stones will always be one of my favorite bands of all time.

[Polly]

very few books have I read cover to cover more than once. This book is great. I was a teenager when The Rolling Stones first arrived on our telly so I was fascinated by the inside story of them. There is a really good anti drugs message. I found it sad that Keith took drugs to help him be a better musician and cope with the pressures of the music business. Now when I watch their concert on DVD I enjoy it more because I know how they stuck together as a group.

[Marsha]

For all Keith's fans, I am currently participating in a giveaway which includes a CD made with Keith.My Soul Is a Witness: The Message of the Spirituals in Word and Song. Together, we arranged some African American Spirituals. You can read more on Ask Keith: http://www.keithrichards.com/album/ma...

[Mari]

I listened to this and loved it. Keith narrates some, Johnny narrates some. The story is told well. I think he's a musical genius, so I had a lot of fun listening.

[Marsha]

If you enjoyed Life, and want to hear more about Keith and our music together, join me in conversation on the Goodreads' featured author Q and A on Sunday June 22 from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. As his sister-in-law, I'm very loyal to Keith and very protective as well, so my discussions will be focused on music and the process of the collaboration, but like Keith who loves his fans, I am really happy to engage with people and answer to the best of my ability. Since I am new to Goodreads' I really appreciate all group members who share my invitation and hope to have you log on on Sunday.