'And It Bloody Well Happened': The Improbable Life Of Keith Richards

September 18, 2015


Mark Seliger

When he visited NPR's New York bureau to speak with Morning Edition, Keith Richards wore his reputation on his sleeve as he lit up cigarettes between questions, just inches from our very expensive microphones. And he had war stories to share — like the time he and Bobby Keys, The Rolling Stones' late sax player, were guests of Hugh Hefner at the Playboy Mansion and managed to set a bathroom on fire.

The 71-year-old guitarist has lived a life filled with moments like that one. In a 2010 New Yorker profile, writer David Remnick even marveled that "through it all, the Grim Reaper was denied a backstage pass." Five years later, Richards says the rumors of his immortality are greatly exaggerated.

Of course I'm not, but I love the idea of it," he tells Morning Edition host David Greene. "I mean, I wouldn't mind being. I don't know if I could handle all of the stress and memories that I'd know at 150 years old. But I've defied other people's version of mortality, I suppose."

Richards has been busy the last decade or so — touring the world, writing a best-selling autobiography and a children's book, and even popping up opposite Johnny Depp in a Pirates Of The Caribbean sequel.

One thing he hasn't done lately is cut new music with the Stones. So, this year, Richards tried something he's only done twice before: put out a solo album. Crosseyed Heart, on which Richards is backed by his band The X-Pensive Winos, arrives Friday, alongside a new Netflix documentary about his life.

"I was at sort of a loose end, and I realized there is one thing missing out of my life, the most important thing: recording," he says. "I made the first two [solo albums] because the Stones were in one of their hibernations — and basically, I probably made this one because the Stones were in hibernation at the time."

Richards has spent a lot of time over the years waiting on his friend Mick Jagger. Apart from Lennon and McCartney, it's hard to think of another songwriting team whose relationship has been so closely followed — and when Richards released his 2010 memoir, Life, fans learned it hasn't always been the most stable alliance.

"I think the relationship is actually still in flux, or still growing — it isn't fixed. Sometimes he can get up my end, and I have no doubt that I can certainly piss him off sometimes," Richards says. "At the same time, there's a chemistry between us that we both recognize and that we know works. In a way, we're both trying to come to terms with each other. Most guys, you know where you stand with. Mick and I don't quite know how we stand with each other, and we never have."

One place where he and Jagger have always found common ground, however, is in their love for the blues. Richards says that in the band's early years, The Rolling Stones were determined to turn London on to what the masters in Chicago had been doing for years.

"At that time — 18, 19 years old — you know, you're still very young and idealistic," he says. "'People should know about rhythm & blues and Chicago blues, and we'll do our best to give you our version of that.' And it bloody well happened."

Music fans know where the story goes from there. In a recent interview with NPR, Buddy Guy named the Stones among the artists who, in the 1960s, helped push blues music into the mainstream while still acknowledging its pioneers. Richards and his bandmates have even gotten to jam with their idols — like the night in 1981 when they joined Muddy Waters onstage at Chicago's Checkerboard Lounge.

"I was dressed for business in a white shirt and vest. I said, 'We're going to be on stage with Muddy, man. This is serious,'" Richards says. "I mean, I didn't realize this until later: These guys, they were incredibly grateful for The Rolling Stones, because we revived interest in the blues in America.

"Isn't that amazing?" he adds with a note of quiet amusement. "Some English band turns up, and turns America on to its own great music."

Listen > [www.npr.org]

[www.npr.org]

The album gets better the more you listen to it It really grows on you which is, IMO, a sign of a quality album!

Cheers,
Wuudy

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Berry88
First 30 seconds of Blues in the Morning are the reason why you have to love Keith.

2015 and he records a rock'n roll like that. God bless him, he's following his way, and he don't care about being modern or experiment new things. That's the way the Stones must follow, if they record something new.

The lyrics for Blues In The Morning are also ridiculously great!!

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015-11-11 18:25 by DandelionPowderman.

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DandelionPowderman
It's must be Bobby in the left channel toward the ending on Substantial Damage as well?

I asked about that before, but you were on your get-ready break. What do you think now?
There's so little of that sax, at least that I can hear on my computer from the plaque-hunt version

Didn't realize until watching the documentary that on the title track, Keith says "I'm a greedy motherf*cker." Awesome.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015-11-11 18:25 by DandelionPowderman.

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with sssoul

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DandelionPowderman
It's must be Bobby in the left channel toward the ending on Substantial Damage as well?

I asked about that before, but you were on your get-ready break. What do you think now?
There's so little of that sax, at least that I can hear on my computer from the plaque-hunt version

Lol the 'plaque-hunt version'

Looking forward to hearing it all full blast and high quality....expected delivery today!!!!!!!!!

_____________________________________________________________
Rip this joint, gonna save your soul, round and round and round we go......

I gather there's no print version of the lyrics included -
I don't think Keith's ever done that, probably in case he feels like changing them :E

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with sssoul
I gather there's no print version of the lyrics included -
I don't think Keith's ever done that, probably in case he feels like changing them :E

The lyrics are in the cd-booklet.
just got mine.
...and here's a pic of the picks


bild upload

Very nice!

printed lyrics.. insane!

very nice indeed

Sweet! So what *are* those mystery bits in Substantial Damage?
(By "mystery bits" I mean about half the lines)

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015-11-11 18:25 by DandelionPowderman.

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with sssoul

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Beast
sssoul - could these be possibilities?

Get that Black Friday every day.

I know you don't mean it, honey
It's just the way you're built

Gonna whip it up now

And it sounds like it might be "thank you kindly, Molly"??

Definite possibilities - thanks Beast! Where does the I know you don't mean it, honey fit?
Until further notice, though, I am going to stick with Good golly, Molly, for Little Richard :E

New revised version of what's written I hear. using some of your suggestions, Ladies.

Damn
(I can’t help it) ???Thighten up
Substantial damage, baby
You’re breaking my heart

FlyGet that Black Flag every day

What’s that thing attached to your ear?
I’m talking to you but you don’t seem to hear
I’m paying for dinner and I might as well not be here

Substantial damage, babe
You’re killing me
Substantial damage

What are we doing together?
You got the broomgroove and I got a feather
ouch?

Substantial damage, baby

I know you don’t mean hear it, honey –
It’s just the way you 're builtwant it
I hadhave no idea
Good Golly Can’t call you miss Molly!
I don’t know why I love ya
I don’t know whywhat I’m doing

I must be a masochist or something
I bring out the sadist in you
ohh, whip it up now
Mon plaisir – that’s you're actual french., honey!
I’m outta here

btw, the song is growing on me. getting better every time. hah.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015-11-11 18:26 by DandelionPowderman.

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Wuudy
The album gets better the more you listen to it It really grows on you which is, IMO, a sign of a quality album!

I agree

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Mel Belli

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Bastion

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DandelionPowderman

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Bastion
Extremely dated production... Makes it almost unlistenable. Do yourself a favour and get the new Libertines album instead.

Luckily, it is A modern production would have ruined these songs.

...No it wouldn't have. Should have had someone like Stephen Street on the job. The production on this album is extremely amateur.

Wait. This is serious?

There is always one

Luckily we cant use bad language on here

But all the positive feed back is awesome

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wicked67
heartstopper very Nice song Keith the best

Yes, extremely catchy, I love it!

Early reviews here are positive. Looking forward to getting my copy.

I love Crosseyed Heart. This is real great Keith Richards.
I love Bill Wyman’s Back to Basics as well, which is very much tuneful and melodious.
Keith and Bill, both of them, should have recorded all that together with the whole Rolling Stones. The result would have been quite terrific.
Anyway Keith and Bill are both great each one on their own way.

A review in German with a nice picture: [www.faz.net]

I find the album much, much better than I ever expected. 'Lover's Plea' might be one of the best songs he's written since the '70's.

Mathijs

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Mathijs
I find the album much, much better than I ever expected. 'Lover's Plea' might be one of the best songs he's written since the '70's.

Mathijs

Wow. Very high praise. I tend to agree although I haven't heard it all yet.

All the ones with the vinyl, hold the cover a bit transversal
against the light, some nice graphics around the letters...

I like the overall tone. Some innuendos to Stones songs as
already mentioned here (start of Illusion ~ Baby Break It Down).
Fantastic song, btw.

Every solo LP has its own tone.
There´s no RIFF on this one, more of a jamming feel and some
crooning - a direction he went to since BtB.

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Mathijs
I find the album much, much better than I ever expected. 'Lover's Plea' might be one of the best songs he's written since the '70's.

Mathijs

Lover's Plea and Nothing on Me...fantastic songs!

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keefriffhards

Quote
Mel Belli

Quote
Bastion

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DandelionPowderman

Quote
Bastion
Extremely dated production... Makes it almost unlistenable. Do yourself a favour and get the new Libertines album instead.

Luckily, it is A modern production would have ruined these songs.

...No it wouldn't have. Should have had someone like Stephen Street on the job. The production on this album is extremely amateur.

Wait. This is serious?

There is always one

Luckily we cant use bad language on here

But all the positive feed back is awesome

There's always one what? Honest review? Personal opinion?

The sheep on this site really need to open their ears up.

Today...yes TODAY, in 1793, George Washington laid the cornerstone to the United States Capitol building. (Oh, also, Keith's album is released.)

Listening to Keith's new album right now and it's great.

Nate

Goodnight Irene and Lover's Plea are beautiful. The cd is trully good, it has that oldie feeling all over it. God bless the Keef. He does his thing, his old thing, and he don't care about anything else.