Keith Richards

Keith Richards
Raph_PH · CC BY 2.0 · source
Name	Keith Richards
Caption	Keith Richards in 2018
Birth name	Keith Richards
Birth date	December 18, 1943
Birth place	Dartford, Kent, England
Occupation	Musician, singer, songwriter, record producer
Instrument	Guitar, vocals
Years active	1960–present
Labels	Rolling Stones Records, Virgin Records

Keith Richards is a renowned English musician, singer, and songwriter, best known as the guitarist and founding member of the iconic rock band The Rolling Stones. Alongside Mick Jagger, Charlie Watts, and Ronnie Wood, Richards has been a key figure in shaping the band's sound and style, which has been influenced by Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, and Howlin' Wolf. With a career spanning over five decades, Richards has collaborated with numerous artists, including John Lennon, Eric Clapton, and Tom Waits. He has also been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Rolling Stones and has won numerous awards, including multiple Grammy Awards.

Early Life

Keith Richards was born in Dartford, Kent, England, to Doris Richards and Herbert Richards. He grew up in a musical family and was influenced by his grandfather, Gus Dupree, who introduced him to Django Reinhardt and Louis Armstrong. Richards attended Wentworth Primary School and later Dartford Technical High School for Boys, where he met his future bandmate Mick Jagger. He was also a fan of Elvis Presley, Little Richard, and Bo Diddley, and began playing guitar at a young age, inspired by Scotty Moore and James Burton. Richards' early musical experiences were shaped by his interactions with Alexis Korner, Cyril Davies, and Long John Baldry.

Career

Richards' music career began in the early 1960s, when he formed The Rolling Stones with Mick Jagger, Brian Jones, Bill Wyman, and Charlie Watts. The band's early sound was influenced by American blues and rock and roll, with Richards drawing inspiration from B.B. King, T-Bone Walker, and Jimmy Reed. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, The Rolling Stones released a string of successful albums, including Beggars Banquet, Let It Bleed, and Exile on Main St., which featured classic tracks like Sympathy for the Devil, Gimme Shelter, and Tumbling Dice. Richards has also collaborated with other artists, such as Aretha Franklin, John Lee Hooker, and Ike Turner, and has appeared on numerous albums, including Talk Is Cheap and Main Offender. He has also worked with The New Barbarians, The X-Pensive Winos, and The Dirty Mac.

Musical Style

Richards' musical style is characterized by his distinctive guitar playing, which combines elements of blues, rock and roll, and reggae. He has been influenced by a wide range of musicians, including Robert Johnson, Eddie Cochran, and Peter Tosh. Richards is also known for his innovative use of open tunings and five-string guitar, which has become a hallmark of The Rolling Stones' sound. He has been named one of the greatest guitarists of all time by Rolling Stone magazine, alongside Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Jimmy Page. Richards has also been influenced by ska and calypso music, and has incorporated these styles into his work with The Rolling Stones and other artists, such as Toots and the Maytals and The Skatalites.

Personal Life

Richards has been married to Patti Hansen since 1983, and the couple has two daughters, Theodora Richards and Alexandra Richards. He has also been in a long-term relationship with Anita Pallenberg, with whom he had a son, Marlon Richards. Richards has been open about his struggles with addiction and has been to rehab several times, including a stint at Promis Recovery Center. He has also been involved in various charity work, including supporting Amnesty International, UNICEF, and The Robin Hood Foundation. Richards has also been a longtime friend of Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey, and Paul McCartney, and has collaborated with them on various projects, including The Dirty Mac and Rockestra.

Discography

Richards has released several solo albums, including Talk Is Cheap and Main Offender, which feature guest appearances by Ivan Neville, Waddy Wachtel, and Steve Jordan. He has also appeared on numerous albums with The Rolling Stones, including Beggars Banquet, Let It Bleed, and Exile on Main St.. Richards has also collaborated with other artists, such as Aretha Franklin, John Lee Hooker, and Ike Turner, and has released several live albums, including Live at the Hollywood Bowl and Shine a Light. His work has been recognized with numerous awards, including multiple Grammy Awards, American Music Awards, and Brit Awards. Richards has also been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Rolling Stones and has received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Category:English musicians