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)

Keith seems to think he's God's Gift to... God.

There's a lot of rambling about world events, presidents, wars, movements, police and global phenomena with Keith placed as the movie star among it all rather than letting you into his heart and mind through the process. Keith speaks of himself and the Stones as equally significant phenomena to any global event and probably the most critical influence in all of them. I get that the Rolling Stones were epic. That's why I got the book. But it's really obvious that Keith sees his life as an epic movie that's more important than yours. Johnny does a great job reading in his velvety and effortlessly cool voice, but it does add to the pretentious dynamic here. If you want a memoire of lessons learned, struggles, advice, or even just fond memories and influences growing up... this ain't it. If you want a list of dramatic events, and descriptions of everything as intense, dark, and emotionally disconnected... this could be it. There's a lot of preachiness from this rock god, i.e. the use of "you" to explain a lesson from a position of enlightenment instead of "I" to explain the contemplation and growth in his own life. Definitely not what I imagined, but it does make sense. I can't expect the Stones to be humble and accessible. That just wouldn't be cool.

flying mouse

This was fantastic. I found myself listening to it before sleep. I'll admit I became a bit bored by the time we got into the mid 80s - coincidently some girls is one of my favorite records! ha! great stories, wonderful narration. Solid lad. At the very least, everyone should pick it up and read the first chapter.

reading the book would have been better

My ONLY complaint about this audiobook is Joe Hurley. For me, he ruins it. Depp is amazing. Not only is he clear and easy to understand, but gives life to the different personalities in a way that makes you really feel you have a sense of Richards and the gang. Hurley's narration is too affected and very difficult to understand. You're too caught up in his reading of the story to get lost in it. That all said, however, Richards' writing is extremely engaging and a real pleasure. I'm glad I got this free, as part of an audible trial, as I'll now go out and spend the money on the book.

Motivational

Any additional comments?

It was motivational to read about Keith Richard's life. He didn't have it easy, but, pursued what he enjoyed and what made him happy - music - with great results. Interesting about the drugs too. I had a little trouble following who was speaking, since the characters kept switching around. But, no biggie.

Depp is awful ! Glad I hung around to second narrator

I have listened to other audiobooks and by far Depps performance is the worst . I AM a Depp fan and was greatly disappointed . He is totally monotone through all his read , never get a glimpse of personality or feeling of what he is reading . And at points mumbles and sounds like he is speaking .. Like .. Captain..Kirk! Really ? . Wtf? I'm like , I have 19 hours of this ? I did not not realize a second narrator was to come in . And wether his accent is good or not , a least he emoted some feeling into his read . The story IS good . Just wish Depp could have put SOME effort into it .

Magical

When I think about The Stones, I think about lying in my bed, aged eighth, in the dark, listening to Midnight Rambler. There is something visceral about the Stones, something deep and inexhaustible. When I hear those guitars and Mick's voice, I 'm in a different world.

I devoured the paperback version of Life and I'm on my third listen of the audiobook now. It really just gets better and better. There is SO much information here. If you're a musician, it's a done deal, you have to get it. If you're a songwriter, you MUST get it.

Keith really early found that he didn't like being told what to do and so he created his own life, for himself. I'm doing the same right now so I connect even stronger with this material now.

To me, this book is about being your own person and fearlessly striking out on your own and following your passion.

It is completely priceless. Mr. Hurley is a fantastic narrator, and so is Mr. Depp. I'm not sure why there are two, and they are very different, but I'm not complaining.

The best part of the book for me, is the NellCote part about recording Exile on Main St. The creation of this seminal record seems so magical and unlikely and the stories surrounding it, and the whole setting, are incredible.

It's a real treat to have Keith narrate the last part himself. It feels almost like he is talking directly to you, and in my case, that's like having a favorite uncle/God of many years, right there with me.

Need I say "highly recommended"?

Engrossing and real and intimate

I feel like I'm pals with Keith...if he didn't obviously have more friendships to keep up with then I can imagine I'd invite him over for a drink.

Good, but a little long

AND there are two readers. The first section is done by a guy doing a basic American accent and then -- for some damned reason -- Johnny Depp starts reading in the second section doing a fake British accent. It gets a little old after a while. I dunno why. Maybe 'cause you know he's faking it.

Joe Hurley's fake accent...

Not only the accent, but he read sooo slow. I had to speed it up.

Good story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I didn't expect to like this book as much as I did. For the most part, Keith represented himself critically, although a bit less of the Jagger comparison would have been ok with me. As a child of the 70's, I could related to all that went on.

Have you listened to any of Johnny Depp and Joe Hurley ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No