Life

One of the most highly anticipated autobiographies in years, Keith Richards's memoir, predictably, pulls no punches as the Rolling Stones' lead guitarist ruminates about his London working-class background and how he and his cronies' love of the blues propelled them to heretofore unseen heights of fame and success. Describing Richards's legendary drug consumption as well as his relationships with luminaries like John Lennon, Johnny Depp as narrator (hand-picked by Richards) is perfect, especially considering the actor previously portrayed gonzo journalist Dr. Hunter S. Thompson, whose drug indulgences and counterculture cachet equaled Richards's. Musician Joe Hurley, who shares in the reading, seems to be equally adept at channeling Richards. Richards's trademark Cockney rasp is laced with the wry bemusement of someone who's lived a charmed life. Dickensian street urchin meets A CLOCKWORK ORANGE--it's a great combo to tell the story of rock's ultimate outlaw. J.S.H. (c) AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine

December 20, 2010
Johnny Depp and Joe Hurley capture Richards's rock 'n' roll spirit in a wise, charming, and textured narration of the famed guitarist's memoir. Tracing Richards's trajectory from boyhood in England through the formation of the Stones to the band's rise to world domination, this audiobook is chock-full of frank revelations and enlightening stories behind the music. The three readers do superb turns—but the seemingly arbitrary switches between them can be jarring and confusing. Depp's narration is steady, well-paced, clear, and grounded. He produces a delicious range of voices for dialogue (most notably a drunk judge in Arkansas), and Richards himself sounds a bit like an elderly, bluesy Jack Sparrow. Hurley captures the voice of Richards throughout, narrating in a gritty, growl that is spot-on. And sections read by Richards are a real treat; his raspy voice is unmistakable and haunting. A Little, Brown hardcover.

Starred review from March 15, 2011

This memoir by Rolling Stones guitarist/songwriter/cofounder Richards is one of the most entertaining rock autobiographies in recent years. A candid and foul-mouthed "Keef" reveals how he fell in love with Chicago blues music, shares intimate details of 50 years in "the world's greatest rock'n'roll band," and reflects on his infamously contentious relationships with Mick Jagger and the late Brian Jones, giving fans long-awaited insights into both his volatile band and his personal life. Musician Joe Hurley and actor Johnny Depp share narration duties, each convincingly producing a range of voices and channeling Richards's cool and cocky charm. Richards himself opens and closes the story. Highly recommended for adult listeners interested in Richards's experiences with fame and fortune and in the Stones' genesis, early years, inner workings, and creative growth. [Includes a bonus PDF of photos; the No. 1 LJ and New York Times best-selling Little, Brown hc also received a starred review, LJ Xpress Reviews, 12/17/10.--Ed.]--Douglas King, Univ. of South Carolina Lib., Columbia

Copyright 2011 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from December 1, 2010

The dread pirate Richards, scourge of straight society and rock icon, bares all—including a fang or two.

The Rolling Stones rhythm guitarist—and, we learn, principal songwriter—Richards has already set tongues wagging, giant red ones or otherwise, with leaked bits and pieces of his memoir, most notably the extensive, extremely bitchy complaints about Mick Jagger. "I used to love to hang with Mick," he writes, "but I haven't gone to his dressing room in, I don't think, twenty years. Sometimes I miss my friend. Where the hell did he go?" His fellow Glimmer Twin may not miss him so much upon learning Richards's assessment of his soul (and genitalia). He also tears down another Mick, this one Mick Taylor, former Stones guitarist, who left the band without Keith's permission: "You can leave in a coffin or with dispensations for long service, but otherwise you can't." Others receive gentler treatment, among them Gram Parsons, Rolling Stones heart and soul Ian Stewart and keyboard wizard Billy Preston (who, we learn, "was gay at a time when nobody could be openly gay"). Surveying the living and the dead, Richards admits the improbability of his own survival, though, he notes, most of his excessive behavior is now many decades past. He is much calmer now, particularly after having undergone brain surgery a few years ago. Which does not mean he's surrendering—part of the joy of this altogether enjoyable, if sometimes mean-spirited, book is the damn-the-torpedoes take on things. Indeed, when he's not slagging or praising, Richards provides useful life pointers, from how to keep several packs of dogs in different places to the virtues of open guitar tunings. He even turns in a creditable recipe for bangers and mash, complete with a pointed tale that speaks to why you would not want to make off with his spring onions while he's in the middle of cooking.

"A jury of my peers would be Jimmy Page, a conglomeration of musicians, guys that have been on the road and know what's what," Richards growls. Let no mere mortal judge him, then, but merely admire both his well-written pages and his stamina.

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