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Life - audio book

Author
Keith Richards
Genre
Media
Audio Book
Publisher
Orion
ISBN
9781409124740
Reviewer
Vicky

Synopsis

With the Rolling Stones, Keith Richards created the riffs, the lyrics and the songs that roused the world, and over four decades he lived the original rock and roll life: taking the chances he wanted, speaking his mind, and making it all work in a way that no one before him had ever done. Now, at last, the man himself tells us the story of life in the crossfire hurricane. And what a life. Listening obsessively to Chuck Berry and Muddy Waters records as a child in post-war Kent. Learning guitar and forming a band with Mick Jagger and Brian Jones. The Rolling Stones' first fame and success as a bad-boy band. The notorious Redlands drug bust and subsequent series of confrontations with a nervous establishment that led to his enduring image as outlaw and folk hero. Creating immortal riffs such as the ones in 'Jumping Jack Flash' and 'Street Fighting Man' and 'Honky Tonk Women'. Falling in love with Anita Pallenberg and the death of Brian Jones. Tax exile in France, wildfire tours of the US, 'Exile on Main Street' and 'Some Girls'. Ever increasing fame, isolation and addiction. Falling in love with Patti Hansen. Estrangement from Mick Jagger and subsequent reconciliation. Solo albums and performances with his band the Xpensive Winos. Marriage, family and the road that goes on for ever. In a voice that is uniquely and intimately his own, with the disarming honesty that has always been his trademark, Keith Richard brings us the essential life story of our times.

Review

Life by Keith Richards is one of the most fascinating audio books I have ever listened to, not just because it is an autobiography but because it is read by 3 people - Johnny Depp, Joe Hurley and Keith Richard himself. It creates quite a different atmosphere which I feel makes listening more exciting. Johnny Depp through his acting is able to sound a much more low key Keith Richard, whereas Joe Hurley has the depth of voice that takes us to the East end and into Essex, but add Keith Richard's Voice and somehow the 3 meld together to make a whole.

We hear all about his life, his relationships, his musical influences, his legendary drug taking that by any standard he should not be here, but he is! And also his philosophical viewpoint on what has happened to him so far. But the one thing that really stood out for me in among all of the drink, drugs, rock & roll and relationships was that he enjoyed scouts! He felt that he would have made a good scout and even possibly a scout leader - it turns out he loved the routine of it all and the creativity that goes with scouting - who would have thought that!!

This is an audio book to listen over several times just to pick up the bit missed on the first listening. An audio book that I highly recommend.

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