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)

absolutely fantastic

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

live love laugh

What other book might you compare Life to and why?

there is no other book that could come close cause Keith Richards has led an incredible life

Which character – as performed by Johnny Depp and Joe Hurley – was your favorite?

there all great

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

if i could i would have but its a long book but vary entertaining. listened to it in 3 days while working (truck driver)

Any additional comments?

a book for any stones fan & a must have for the super fans!!! thanks Mr.Richards!!!

amazing life story, sometimes hard to follow.

I really liked it, but the narration could be hard to follow. The other English guy that wasn't Richards tries to do a US southern accent and is very hard to follow.

Sir Richards

Great, insightful book. Mick Jagger was knighted, but it should have been bestowed upon Keith Richards. Richards was the heart and soul of the Rolling Stones. I always thought Jagger was THE man, but he was only the shell, the front man. The Rolling Stones is known for its music..and Keith Richards was the man who loved music. Along with all the other band members, san Jagger.
Great "read".

Narration was poor

Joe Hurley was terrible, he sounded like he had been smoking pot. Johnny Depp was excellent.

great storytelling of a very eventful life

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

One crazy ride!

What did you like best about this story?

The story is well crafted and not scattered. THe story contains so many famous people and yet there is no name dropping. Each person is so casually introduced. The ghost writer does such a great job of brining everything in such a compelling and flowing way. The snippets of other people's memories just adds so much to the perspective as well.

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

They do a wonderful job of capturing the spirit of Keith Richard's voice without copying it.

Three narrarators. One voice.

What did you love best about Life?

It's honest, candid.

What other book might you compare Life to and why?

Nothing compares to this.

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

No, I haven't, but these performances are gold standards to be measured against. They're brilliant.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes and no. I wanted to stop everything and listen to it non-stop. However, I didn't want it to end.

Any additional comments?

This is a great example of how an audiobook can be a completely different experience from the printed book. I have read the print version of the book, and listening to this audiobook felt brand new like a wholly different experience. I believe everyone should listen to and read this book.

Told so well its a visual experience! Loved it!!!

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

Tops, but unique in that each persons life, especially extraordinary ones, are so different yet touch you cause they hit home... Life hits home!

What did you like best about this story?

Learning of Keith's good nature, and his stamina and work ethic that is inspired by someone who hones in on thier passion.

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

It makes it visual and authentic...

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The Life of Keith Richards and 100o episode mega series

Any additional comments?

If you like being human and stories of other humans squeezing every ounce of emotion, passion, love and appreciation of others you will love this story!

Wow!!

This is a GREAT book. Honestly, I was never really listened to The Rolling Stones but I can’t stop now. Great book, great stories, great narration, great music.

illuminating and entertaining

Well worth the price to hear the history of the stones from the inside.
Thank you for sparing us from an unauthorized biography !

Chaotic and beautiful

His knowledge and lust for music tells the whole story. Fascinating read and the narrators are great.