Life

By: Keith Richards, James Fox

Narrated by: Johnny Depp, Joe Hurley

Length: 23 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

The long-awaited autobiography of Keith Richards, guitarist, songwriter, singer, and founding member of the Rolling Stones.

With The Rolling Stones, Keith Richards created the songs that roused the world, and he lived the original rock and roll life. Now, at last, the man himself tells his story of life in the crossfire hurricane. Listening obsessively to Chuck Berry and Muddy Waters records, learning guitar and forming a band with Mick Jagger and Brian Jones. The Rolling Stones's first fame and the notorious drug busts that led to his enduring image as an outlaw folk hero. Creating immortal riffs like the ones in "Jumping Jack Flash" and "Honky Tonk Women." His relationship with Anita Pallenberg and the death of Brian Jones. Tax exile in France, wildfire tours of the U.S., isolation and addiction. Falling in love with Patti Hansen. Estrangement from Jagger and subsequent reconciliation. Marriage, family, solo albums and Xpensive Winos, and the road that goes on forever.

With his trademark disarming honesty, Keith Richard brings us the story of a life we have all longed to know more of, unfettered, fearless, and true.

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

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

©2010 Keith Richards (P)2010 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"[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)

What a great ride!

This is an eloquent, fascinating back story to a life lived on the edge. Johnny Dep captures the essence and heart of his friend-well chosen!

Don't Give Up!

Absolutely loved this. I'm so glad I stuck with it.

Unfortunately, Johnny was droll. I was so looking forward to him reading. Even if he didn't use a Cap Jack voice, he could've been much more animated.

As for all the other narrations, it was most enjoyable.

This story was completely unexpected. I have always liked Richards, but assumed he was the typical Rockstar. This story gave me a complete new view on Richards. He's brilliant, funny, reserved, and shy? Man, I so adore him!

Whether you are a long time fan of the Rolling Stones, a new fan, a fan of music, or a fan of history and biographies, there is something here for everyone. An expansive look back into the beginnings of rock music, a prolific band, and a curious guitarist, turned rockstar. It's fun, shocking, and some times sad... it's got everything you want in a Rockstar history.

Keith’s a proper “Kat”!

Always found him intriguing. This book is the real McCoy and is well worth the read if you love real rock and roll!!

Amazing Storytelling!

I originally planned to buy the hardcover the moment it hit stores - I'm a huge Stones fan. But I am really glad I heard about the audiobook, because Keith's storytelling really lends itself to the listenting experience. I'm only 4 hours in, but Johnny Depp's performance is pitch-perfect. He's never over the top - you feel like he really "gets" Keith in ways most people wouldn't. I also took a listen to Keith's part at the end and could really hear how passionate he is about telling his story - what an amazing life.

I'm absolutely certain I'll buy the hardcover to make my library complete, but I'm so glad I took the chance to hear it first. I think the amazing tales are going to stick with me a long time - what a privilege it is to get to hear the intimate, behind-the-scenes stories told by the one who really lived it. The bonus PDF of pictures is great as well - you feel like you're getting a peek into Keith's personal photo album.

good for Stones fans

It was fascinating! If you have always loved The Rolling Stones and rock and roll and have a lot of nostalgia about the 60's... then I think you'd find Keith Richards memoir fascinating, too. It is long, but most of the time, well, I was just blown away hearing about all the stuff Keith Richards did. He has a great conversational style; listening was fun - kind of like sitting in the living room hearing him tell about his life (with help from Johnny Depp and one other reader.) What really shines through is his absolute love of music as well as his totally undisciplined and wild, wild life style. I liked it toward the end when he tells about how Tony Blair wrote him a get well letter (after an accident) and said, "Dear Keith, You've always been one of my heroes..." Then Keith says, "England's in the hands of someone I'm the hero of? That's frightening." I also liked the ending when he sits on the end of his dying mom's bed and plays Malaguena for her. That was one of the first songs he learned at the beginning of the book, so it seemed to be a good frame for the ending... and kind of touching.

Sex, drugs, Rock & Roll in a REALLY LONG memoir

I have to think that the 5 star reviews are from people who did not listen to all 23 hours (at least you get your money's worth). The last 12 hours are just repeated stories of sex, drugs and rr -- no particular insights, personal growth, intellectual stimulation -- really good smack, beautiful jugs, really rockin music. Lots of name dropping -- but no character insights (got high with John Lennon -- but nothing about why he and John Lennon were special to each other, was it just getting high? same with Graham Parsons). Except for sex and drugs, why did he love Anita Pallenberg? Why did Mick & Marianne break up?

And the narration is really weird. Johnny Depp doesn't work because the story is British -- Joe Hurley doesn't provide enough variety to help listeners figure out who's voice is telling the story.

It's an amazing history of the Rolling Stones -- but since so little insight is included, it could have been told by an author who clipped headlines for 50 years. Maybe Keef figured out his life by going through the headlines and really doesn't remember it all.

Excellent, even if you know nothing about Stones

I don't read many autobiographies, but this one had such great reviews, that I couldn't resist. It was worth the many hours as an audiobook to hear Keith Richards telling the stories of his life, which has been a wild ride. Being born in the 80's, there are only so many documentaries that you can watch on the 60's that will give you a grasp of the reality of the times. This book was far better than any documentary in its ability to set cultural contexts for the state of the US at a time when war, race relations, sexual revolution and art were all evolving and changing our country forever. This first person account is long, but enjoyable, even if you aren't a Stones fan.

Great insight, boring and long as heck

There were pieces within here that are priceless. But it drones on, and the changing in narrators was strange. There was "too much" of the author's likeness in the narration.
The droning wore me down. I had to break for a week and come back for 4 or 5 hours, then break away again.

Some of the stories are magical - fantastic to listen to.
I wish the production and narration, plus the length, were more appropriate.

Love When Keith Richards Reads!!!

Where does Life rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It ranks up with the best audiobooks, its an interesting story and since I love Keith Richards it makes it one of my fave books!

What did you like best about this story?

Keith Richard reading and his honesty and his wonderful sense of humour

What does Johnny Depp and Joe Hurley bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

To be honest, I really am not getting that much from Johnny Depp (which is a surprise since I really like him) or Joe Hurley. I think Keith Richards reads his story the best, his laugh and raspy voice brings a new dimension to the book!!!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No, crying, I laughed a bit. But what I love about it is the honesty, not glamming it up, but just telling it like it is. Its almost like KR is in the room with me and talking about his life

interesting but reader changing distracting !

The book starts off read by Johnny Depp...a great start then abruptly changes to the gravelly voice of Joe Hurley - who does a great job no doubt except his "Keith" voice ( with accent ) is even a bit too slow for Richards himself and me - more importantly the change leaves you trying to adjust and thereby taking away form the story for the next 30 minutes.
Then at the end comes Depp again....this transition feels somewhat smoother as Depp's voice isn't so hard to adjust to.
I still enjoyed the read...fascinating to hear but I would most definitely have stuck with one reader !