Life (Richards book)
| Company type | Autobiography |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | October 26, 2010 |
| Founder | Keith Richards, James Fox |
| Products | Book, audiobook, digital book |
Life is an autobiography by the Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards, co-written with journalist James Fox. Released in October 2010 across hardback, audio, and digital formats, the memoir explores Richards' musical inspirations, the creation of the Rolling Stones, his often fraught dynamic with Mick Jagger, his experiences with drugs, and his romantic relationships, including those with Anita Pallenberg and his wife Patti Hansen. Concurrently, Richards issued Vintage Vinos, a compilation showcasing his work with the X-Pensive Winos.
Over a period of five years, co-author James Fox conducted extensive interviews with Richards and people close to him to craft the narrative. Upon release, Life received critical acclaim and debuted at number one on The New York Times non-fiction bestseller list.
Synopsis
Life follows Keith Richards’s path from his early days in Dartford, Kent, through his rise to fame with the Rolling Stones, and into his current life in Connecticut. His initial love for music was nurtured by his mother, Doris, who introduced him to artists like Sarah Vaughan, Billy Eckstine, and Louis Armstrong, as well as by his maternal grandfather, Augustus Theodore Dupree, a former big band musician who encouraged him to learn guitar. During adolescence, Richards reconnected with Mick Jagger, bonding over their shared enthusiasm for blues. In the early 1960s, Richards took up residence in a London flat alongside Jagger and Brian Jones. Together with Bill Wyman, Ian Stewart, and Charlie Watts, they established the Rolling Stones in 1962, performing at venues such as the Ealing Jazz Club and the Crawdaddy Club.
The memoir recounts Richards’s progression from playing small clubs to headlining stadium shows, detailing his struggles with drug addiction, legal battles, and relationships with women including Anita Pallenberg, Marianne Faithfull, Ronnie Spector, and wife Patti Hansen. The intricate relationship between Richards and Jagger is a central theme that has drawn considerable media attention.
Richards’s deep dedication to music is highlighted throughout the book, including insights into his guitar technique and chord development. The narrative also covers his endeavors outside the Rolling Stones, such as work with the X-Pensive Winos and recording sessions with the Wingless Angels in Jamaica, along with collaborations involving artists like Chuck Berry and Gram Parsons.
Production
James Fox, a journalist and author known for White Mischief: The Murder of Lord Erroll, collaborated directly with Keith Richards on this project. Fox had first interviewed Richards in 1973 and maintained a longstanding friendship. Reports indicate that $7.3 million was paid in 2007 for a 10-page excerpt of the memoir. To gather material for the book, Fox spent extensive time with Richards both at his Caribbean residence and in the UK. The cover photograph was captured by David LaChapelle. Fox described the interview process as requiring effort to "catch him like a salmon," conducting sessions while Richards played music and using a lapel microphone. The storytelling is intentionally non-linear to mirror Richards’s thought process. Interview durations varied widely depending on how sensitive topics were. Overall, compiling the memoir spanned five years.
After completing the manuscript, Fox read it aloud to Richards, who served as an intuitive editor by trimming content based on how it sounded. Rebecca Dana of The Daily Beast characterized Life as encompassing themes of sex, drugs, guitar riffs, and Mick Jagger’s private life while also revealing softer moments such as Richards’s relationship with Anita Pallenberg and their son’s passing. The book has been praised as an important contribution to rock literature—engaging yet tasteful, technically detailed yet accessible. Through Fox’s writing, Richards’ voice emerges as "relentlessly endearing," earning Maureen Dowd’s description of him as a "consummate gentleman." Richard Corliss of Time noted that unlike typical confessional memoirs, Life portrays redemption achieved through personal resilience and meaningful relationships.
Publication
Life was released on 26 October 2010 by Weidenfeld & Nicolson in the United Kingdom and Little, Brown and Company in the United States. Upon its launch, it immediately secured the top position on The New York Times hardback non-fiction best-sellers list, maintaining that rank for a fortnight. It also remained on the USA Today best sellers chart for six weeks, reaching as high as third place.
Simultaneously, a 22.5-hour audiobook edition was made available, featuring narration by Richards himself alongside Johnny Depp and musician Joe Hurley. The book is accessible in digital download and e-book formats, with a paperback version issued in May 2011.
Coinciding with the book's debut, Richards released Vintage Vinos, a compilation album comprising selections from his band, the X-Pensive Winos, as well as previously unreleased tracks. On 28 October 2010, the BBC arts program The Culture Show broadcasted a one-hour interview with Richards discussing his formative years, musical journey, and the period during which the Rolling Stones rose to prominence. The feature also included commentary from co-author James Fox and other contributors to the book.
Reception
The memoir received acclaim for its frankness and perceptiveness. Charles Spencer of The Daily Telegraph remarked that it embodies "the true spirit of rock and roll" and showcases Richards' deep passion for music. Jim Fusilli writing for the Wall Street Journal emphasized Richards' reflective exploration of his childhood, family life, and the pleasures of making music. John Walsh in The Independent characterized the book as sincere and revealing.
The New Yorker described it as an engaging monologue that portrays a life of excess seemingly without repercussions. Meanwhile, The New York Times commended Richards' straightforward narrative style, supported by thorough personal documentation.
Much of the media attention centered on Richards' intricate relationship with Mick Jagger. Tom Bryant from The Daily Mirror reported Richards referring to Jagger as "unbearable" during the early 1980s and acknowledged periods of estrangement between them.
Awards
The audiobook edition of Life earned two distinguished Audie Awards in 2010—namely Audiobook of the Year and Best Biography/Memoir. It was also selected as Amazon's top Audiobook of the Year for 2010. Furthermore, Life was honored with the 2011 Norman Mailer Prize in the biography category.