THE ROLLING STONES rocker KEITH RICHARDS is writing an autobiography about his time in the band and his turbulent relationships with drugs and alcohol. The guitarist, 63 - who once claimed to have snorted a combination of cocaine and his father's ashes - will reveal all about his wild life in the frank memoirs. A source says, "Keith is working on the book at the moment with his old friend, bestselling White Mischief author James Fox... It's a dream team."

[www.contactmusic.com]

Vilhelm
Nordic Stones Vikings

Now if this is true -- and I certainly hope it is -- I'm looking forward to that book. Next question is, how much in the book will be true...

or how much can he remember?

the shoot 'em dead, brainbell jangler!

Keith doesn't remember half of what he has experienced.

IF this is true, it's an interesting counter to Mick J's recent statements in which he dismissed the possibility of writing his OWN autobio.

However, I did read Chuck Berry's autobiography, which I thought was fascinating. You just have to keep in mind the writer's selective memory, which is true of any memoir.

With Keith, I'd hope that he'd get out of the shadow of his own reputation and write with the insight and intelligence that we all know is inside of him.

General commentary: I think the stereotype of a street-smart but not book-smart rock star is widely held. Somehow it seems "uncool" to be intellectual. Somehow it is thought to be pretentious. Look at the disdain Sting gets -- "how DARE him to be articulate and well-read!"

In truth, Keith is both.

bassplayer617 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> IF this is true, it's an interesting counter to
> Mick J's recent statements in which he dismissed
> the possibility of writing his OWN autobio.
>
> However, I did read Chuck Berry's autobiography,
> which I thought was fascinating. You just have to
> keep in mind the writer's selective memory, which
> is true of any memoir.
>
> With Keith, I'd hope that he'd get out of the
> shadow of his own reputation and write with the
> insight and intelligence that we all know is
> inside of him.
>
> General commentary: I think the stereotype of a
> street-smart but not book-smart rock star is
> widely held. Somehow it seems "uncool" to be
> intellectual. Somehow it is thought to be
> pretentious. Look at the disdain Sting gets --
> "how DARE him to be articulate and well-read!"
>
> In truth, Keith is both.


What about Dylan being intellectual? I think that is seen as cool.

bassplayer617, nicely put. And if this book does happen, I hope it's the humble and articulate Keith that writes it, rather than the new band-slagging, dad-snorting egomaniac often seen in public.

good to write a book, good to write anything . . .

Nijmegen-Paris-Belgrade-Bucharest

Keith has a great memory. When I first met Bernard in 1997 he told me Keith has the memory of an elephant. Some water under the bridge since then, but I think its still in tact.

John

Yet he can barely remember the words to his own songs on stage? Are you Bernard wasn't talking about a drunk elephant?

If it's true, I think it'll be an interesting read

Too lazy to look up old threads...

What is regarded as the best Keith book so far (according to you)?
Vacation time coming up and need some new books.

TE
Oslo

Victor Bockris' one - even though he does tend to underplay Mick's contribution to the band a bit much

Kris Needs' book is an affectionate portrait, but the amount of factual mistakes in it are unbelievable

I always like Barbara Charone's book, although thats long out of print (I dont even own a copy)

Thanks for the info, hope it`ll be true and the book would contain all the Stones years.

Gazza Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Victor Bockris' one - even though he does tend to
> underplay Mick's contribution to the band a bit
> much
>
> Kris Needs' book is an affectionate portrait, but
> the amount of factual mistakes in it are
> unbelievable
>
> I always like Barbara Charone's book, although
> thats long out of print (I dont even own a copy)


you can search for "old" books here:
www.zvab.de

it is a non profit online antiquariat.
delivery is safe and okay as I know from several occasions.

"when I travel coast to coast
you' re the hook I miss the most
feel on, baby"

No doubt we'll read the one about "Muddy Waters painting the Godamn ceiling" or "slipping on a Frankfurter in Frankfurt" maybe just maybe we might get the snorting dads ashes story.

NickB

I can see what folks are wondering about. There are definitely two Keiths..and you never quite know which one you'll get when he opens his mouth.
I've always put it down mostly to his sense of mischief and love of a good story.
If he were to write his autobiography, I'm sure there'd be a lot of old bollocks in it... but I'm equally sure it would be a fascinating read with many thought provoking insights.

There are many "ifs" above, but in the "Bookseller"-issue from April 20th 2007,page 10, there's the following "news" :

"Agent Ed Victor moved to nix rumours he was selling the autobiography of Rolling Stones-guitarist Keith Richards at the fair ( my comment : The London Book Fair mid-April this year ), with reports suggesting a price of around $4m for the book. But Victor did confirm that he would sell the memoir this summer. "Interms of foreign rights, it will be the hot book at Frankfurt", he predicted.
( : Frankfurt Book Fair is October 10th-14th, 2007 )

The Keith bio by Christopher Sandford is a great read.

>> Barbara Charone's book <<

i've just been rereading this one - it's got great photos, and she did have quite enviable access to Keith and people near him,
but it's stunningly bad writing: the paragraphs are just strung together with no coherence at all,
and it's got quite a few cringe-worthy factual errors. not as many as Kris Needs, maybe, but still.

The worst autobiography is IMO Stanley Booth's "Till I roll over dead".

yeah, Stanley Booth's Keith bio was a let-down after The True Adventures of the Rolling Stones,
but that one is so brilliant that i keep hoping he'll re-do the Keith book the way it should be done.
he writes beautifully.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2007-05-09 14:18 by with sssoul.

Keith will not actually write this, i mean in person. He'll just do a series of quite lengthy interviews and the ghosts will write it all. He will then come back on board to edit it.

Keith does have a good memory, he also gets terribly nervous on stage- when up front. He's always been shy, but i guess when he's singing is the only time we get to see it these days.

Charone's book is excellent. Bokris scares me (crazy man) so i can always feel how on edge he is when reading it. The Kris Needs work is disappointing as he was a good journalist.

Jann Wenner should write keiths book

OLDKR

Charones book is great, the best.

do we suppose he'll talk openly and honestly about Brian Jones?

I think he has done in the past. He's recognised Brian's positive qualities but hasn't shied from acknowledging the blacker side just because he's no longer with us. Pretty honest about it if you ask me.

>> Charone's book is excellent. <<
>> Charones book is great, the best. <<

all right, maybe i need lessons: what is it that people feel is "great" about it,
besides the photos and the fact that she was allowed excellent access?
most of the time she's stringing unrelated statements together as if that will make them add up to something,
but it doesn't; and the writing style is so ploddingly monotonous it makes me weep.
"A man of action, Richards surrounds himself with friends. Cutting no corners, he boasts a lazy streak.
Remarking on his productivity, acquaintances are admiring. 'He's very productive,' an acquaintance says admiringly."
(that's not a direct quote, but it might as well be, and the entire book reads like that.)



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2007-05-10 11:43 by with sssoul.

I'd really like to read this - especially if it was Keith telling his version of an event, then others present telling it as they saw it.

I've just finished reading Gen. John (Doc) Bahnsen's excellent Vietnam autobiography "American Warrior". It was done in this fashion.

[www.amazon.com]

"No Anchovies, Please"



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2007-05-09 17:58 by Elmo Lewis.

yeager Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Gazza Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Victor Bockris' one - even though he does tend
> to
> > underplay Mick's contribution to the band a bit
> > much
> >
> > Kris Needs' book is an affectionate portrait,
> but
> > the amount of factual mistakes in it are
> > unbelievable
> >
> > I always like Barbara Charone's book, although
> > thats long out of print (I dont even own a
> copy)
>
>
> you can search for "old" books here:
> www.zvab.de
>
> it is a non profit online antiquariat.
> delivery is safe and okay as I know from several
> occasions.


many thanks..I'll check that out