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 memorizing account of his life!

Keith Richards made me feel like I was there living the life with him. What a Life! The audio just kept rolling (Just like the stones). If you loved rock and roll you will be totally engaged with this story. Joe Hurley did a great job and I personally think Johnny Depp did a good job. He is no Scott Brick but he could be with practice. Work on them s's Johnny.

Like Going Back to the 60s

Well narrated story of Keith and the Rolling Stones. Its amazing the details he remembers. This isn't just about the Stones. It ties in with a lot of events in the 60's and 70's. Very entertaining. I think if you like Rock n Roll, its beginnings and changes in the 60's and 60's this is a book for you. The narration is good, especially with Johnny Depp. Also, if you're a guitarist, there's something in it for you too. Lessons from a great guitarist.

Why Johnny Depp?

I just started this book, and so far I'm enjoying it except for one big distraction: Keith Richards is a Brit, and Johnny Depp is narrating it with his American "accent." When he does dialogue, like a Southern drawl or a British accent, he's great. But with the narrative not sounding like Keith Richards, I feel distanced from the experience of this being a memoir. I'm constantly aware that Johnny Depp is reading it. If the producers had chosen someone with a British accent, I'd be enjoying this experience much, much more.

Entertaining / Enlightening / Frightening

I've read several reviews and must agree with those that say that the narration is terrible, not well done, or does not make sense. Joe Hurley did a wonderful job. He should probably done most if not all of the book. The last several chapters narrated by KR himself, are good because you hear his true voice - cirgarettes being lit and all. JD is terrible. In the beginning his voice is AmeroEnglish and a cheap KR immitation at the end. It was really distracting and held no continuity.
THAT BEING SAID....the STORIES KR tells are hilarious in their historical context. He is unforgiving and takes no prisoners. He names, names. He tells it like he remembers it and does not hold back. Very different from Eric Clapton's "couched" version of a bio.
I'm a woman and a feminist and I was not offended by KR's use of language pertaining to my sex. I'm 43...he's 66. Different times, historical context is important!
I loved how he described his passion for music and how he and his cohorts of the time pursued their craft. I appreciate how much he loves his art.
The real hero in this book is his son Marlon. How he came out to be a well educated, well adjusted, fully functioning and straight (as in not f'ed up on drugs) adult, is a testimony to his own internal and personal strength. He really did learn from the mistakes of his parents.

Beyond Satisfaction

This book is a breath of fresh air! A no-nonsense, self aware, critical and often hilarious look at Keith Richards' life and times with, and without, The Rolling Stones. An added plus for musicians is his analysis and description of his, and those he admired, playing styles, techniques and open chord theory.

This is truly an outstanding autobiography that has to rank as one of the finest ever written.

I can't recommend this strongly enough. Get it, Listen, and Rock On!

Don’t be fooled by my 4 stars!

This is one of the finest books I’ve ever listened to. I wasn’t a Stones fan—though I am now. I always associated Keef with the jokes comedians made about him. What an amazing man and storyteller. I can’t get past it, I want to hear more.

The only reason I didn’t do 5 was the change in voices. Wish one reader (Keith!) for all of it.

Who would have thought?

An absolutely delightful, witty, intelligent autobiography. I was most impressed with how gracious and humble Kieth was in sharing his life.

At last..my chance to travel wiith the STONES

If you could sum up Life in three words, what would they be?

Surprisingly moving., touching..

Would you recommend Life to your friends? Why or why not?

There is more to Keith and friends than Woodstock Nation---LIFE is actually moving, richly described...and a chance to see, hear and understand how much our culture and our music was enriched during their years. Give it a try...but don't start it as you are going to sleep....you will be awake all night!

What about Johnny Depp and Joe Hurley ’s performance did you like?

GREAT and GREAT....

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Keith caring for his son

Any additional comments?

DON'T MISS LIFE!!

Great Story, Mixed Performances

What made the experience of listening to Life the most enjoyable?

Keith Richards is a very good writer, really spinning a fascinating story with an endless amount of subject matter.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Johnny Depp's reading is great. Joe Hurley, though... Please, Joe, please, please stop trying to do accents. Please.

Great book for a fan

Loved it best when he was talking bout music and sound and process. He’s a genius