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)

It may not be great literature...

But it's a hell of a ride.
Yes it's vulgar. Yes, to some people it is probably obscene, it sure is fun.
I'm not a big Stones fan but I really enjoyed listening to this book. Never boring, always fun and just how did he remember all this stuff?
Unvarnished and painfully truthful Keith does not make excuses he just tells the story of his life.
Makes me want to sit down and drink a few rum and cokes on the beach with him and ask questions.

Fabulous Book Terrible readers

Would you listen to Life again? Why?

Yes. Loved the story. Keith Richards is a genius in song and life.

Would you be willing to try another one of Johnny Depp and Joe Hurley ’s performances?

No. This was terrible. Johnny Depp ok but boring. Joe Hurley horrible. I thought it greatly detracted from the brilliant prose.

Any additional comments?

My first disappointing Audible book from the viewpoint of readers after more than 60 books.

Loved the book. The performance...

The book was fascinating for a Stones/Richards fan. I especially loved insights about the songwriting process and the recording of different albums through the years.

Keith's reading was delightful. Johnny Depp was fine; Joe Hurley was dreadful. His over-the-top affectation in imitation of Keith was nearly unlistenable.

Raw Brilliance

Keith's story + all 3 voices make it the best book on the Stones I've read or heard in my life. His description of how he creates a sound is fascinating and Keith's legendary directness never waivers to the point of discomfort. 5 stars baby.

Back to the old days

Nice insight into the old days of Keith and Mick. Puts together a lot of pieces of musical history.

Great Book Marginal Narration

During some parts Depp mumbled with an exaggerated British dialect. Later switched to a more audible dialect. At times it was difficult to determine who he was reading. I had to back up many times for clarity. I listened to the last few chapters twice. as he would switch from one character to another without warning.
I applauded and despised Keith Richards candor.

Music Legend

It was great to hear the history behind the music and the way the cultures intertwined to make music what it is today. I was glad there were stories from other peoples perspective especially his son Marlon. This story would be better to read than listen too because at times it was hard to tell if the story was still being told by someone else or Keith.

Brilliant!

Excellent story and performance! It’s just great rock and roll music history at its finest!

Fantastic!

Keith is alot funnier than I expected. His humor is very dry and the story very detailed.

Listen for yourself and see if Keef bashes Mick

I've read 2 psuedo reviews from reviewers who obviously didn't read the book and assumed Keef bashes Mick throughout. Quite the contrary, Keef is honest about Mick's shortcomings but respects and honors his Glimmer Twin as having cared for him like a brother and tended to the band business when he could not himself. Read the book yourself and be your own judge.

Curious though, why Depp reads the first few chapters of the book then is replaced by the British voiceover of Joe Hurley? Freaked me out, the change in narrator voice. Anyone know the answer?