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Life cover art

Life

Written by: Keith Richards, James Fox
Narrated by: Johnny Depp, Joe Hurley
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Publisher's Summary

As lead guitarist of the Rolling Stones, Keith Richards created the riffs, the lyrics, and the songs that roused the world. A true and towering original, he has always walked his own path, spoken his mind, and done things his own way.

Now at last, Richards pauses to tell his story in the most anticipated autobiography in decades. And what a story! Listening obsessively to Chuck Berry and Muddy Waters records in a coldwater flat with Mick Jagger and Brian Jones, building a sound and a band out of music they loved. Finding fame and success as a bad-boy band, only to find themselves challenged by authorities everywhere. Dropping his guitar's sixth string to create a new sound that allowed him to create immortal riffs like those in "Honky Tonk Woman" and "Jumpin' Jack Flash". Falling in love with Anita Pallenberg, Brian Jones's girlfriend. Arrested and imprisoned for drug possession. Tax exile in France and recording Exile on Main Street. Ever-increasing fame, isolation, and addiction, making life an ever faster frenzy. Through it all, Richards remained devoted to the music of the band, until even that was challenged by Mick Jagger's attempt at a solo career, leading to a decade of conflicts and ultimately the biggest reunion tour in history.

In a voice that is uniquely and unmistakably him - part growl, part laugh - Keith Richards brings us the truest rock-and-roll life of our times, unfettered and fearless and true.

Read by Johnny Depp with Joe Hurley and featuring Keith Richards.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2010 Keith Richards (P)2010 Hachette Audio

What the critics say

"[A] high-def, high-velocity portrait of the era when rock 'n' roll came of age, a raw report from deep inside the counterculture maelstrom of how that music swept like a tsunami over Britain and the United States....Mr. Richards has found a way to channel to the reader his own avidity, his own deep soul hunger for music and to make us feel the connections that bind one generation of musicians to another. Along the way he even manages to communicate something of that magic, electromagnetic experience of playing on stage with his mates, be it in a little club or a huge stadium." (Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times)

"[A] slurry romp through the life of a man who knew every pleasure, denied himself nothing, and never paid the price." (David Remnick, The New Yorker)

"A vivid self-portrait and, of the Stones and their musical era, a grand group portrait....spellbinding storytelling." (Richard Corliss, Time)

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Life is a worthy read

The book life is a look into a great musician and pioneer of techniques and sounds, the Rolling Stones are arguably the greatest rock band in history and Kieth is the driving force

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A legend as spoken, what can you add! I

It's Rock & Roll and I like it!
Thanks you for letting us get deeper into a Stone. XOX

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    4 out of 5 stars
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A New Found Respect

I was never a huge fan of Mr. Richards, but this book gave me an entirely new perspective of the man and his passions. An enjoyable listen.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Too Much Book

The narration was first class. There were some really great parts, but there is too much book; it just dragged much of the time.

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Great story but narration interrupted

I really enjoyed Keith’s story however the narration flow was interrupted a few times by starting with Johnny Depp, changing to Joe Hurley and then back to Depp. Love Depp but for this story, I felt Hurley’s style and accent were more appropriate.

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Very Interesting times

What a life he's lived. So many different people he's played with. How he survived all those drugs and success. Good thing he's still around to tell the tale.

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Keith

I found his story entertaining and not consistent with others personal accounts of his immature behaviour… Mick put up with Kieth and yet gets slagged by a man who chased drugs and competed for sexual conquests. He forgets to mention what he said to Linda Kieth father about Jimi Hendrix…

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Excellent read!!!

Genuine recollection of a life well lived!!! Bravo Mr. Richards for telling it like it was!!!

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  • Overall
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great book

loved it! well worth the read. gave me a very different perspective of Keith

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Deserves a 10!

Thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook! As a long time Rolling Stones fan and conference attendee, I knew most of the musical references, and liked hearing where the lyrics came from. I realize how much I like Keith as a person. The only thing I didn’t like was the lack of differentiation between voices when a ‘guest’ would tell a story vs when speaking as Keith, it made it confusing. Overall fantastic and worth every minute of listening time!

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