Helpful Score: 3
It took me a couple of weeks to get through this absolutely fascinating 550-page tome. I have been a fan of the Rolling Stones since about 1964 when I first heard Satisfaction and in the late 1980s, I attended a Stones concert at the Oakland, California Coliseum so I was really looking forward to reading this and I was not disappointed. I found it to be very informative and exceptionally written. Richards tells it all from his childhood and being a boy scout, to meeting Mick Jagger and forming the Rolling Stones along with Brian Jones, to his falling out with Mick, his extensive use of drugs, and his many close encounters with death. I especially enjoyed how Richards described his musicianship and his use of "open tuning" a guitar using 5 strings to get totally different sounds. Very enjoyable and highly recommended to anyone who is a Stones fan or rock music buff.
Helpful Score: 3
Like watching a train wreck... Keith Richards is brutally honest in this book. I didn't grow up a Stones fan but knew enough of them and vaguely remember all of the arrests and troubles they had. In this book, he shares all and tells all. He talks of he and Mick's troubles, about his drug addictions/rehabs/relapses, etc, about the many women, etc. He truly spares little fact about their times on tour. I am actually a bit surprised that they are still alive, after reading that.
The beginning of the book is about his early life and a bit difficult to follow, mostly b/c of the cultural slang/grammar differences and the lack of congruent thought processes. :) BUT I really enjoyed that part.
I have to admit that I did skip pages from 3/4 the way thru on, b/c it began to ramble on about the music, etc. BUT, those familiar enough with the songs will likely enjoy the background/inspiration for the songs.
I gave it a 4, but truly, if you grew up with them and are a fan of the Stones, I think you will enjoy it even more.
The beginning of the book is about his early life and a bit difficult to follow, mostly b/c of the cultural slang/grammar differences and the lack of congruent thought processes. :) BUT I really enjoyed that part.
I have to admit that I did skip pages from 3/4 the way thru on, b/c it began to ramble on about the music, etc. BUT, those familiar enough with the songs will likely enjoy the background/inspiration for the songs.
I gave it a 4, but truly, if you grew up with them and are a fan of the Stones, I think you will enjoy it even more.
Helpful Score: 3
I've always been intrigued by autobiographies, particularly those written by rock stars -- I adore Slash's book, and I literally couldn't put Nikki Sixx's Heroin Diaries down til I finished it. In regards to Life, I wasn't disappointed -- Keith spares nothing in his telling, including his relationships with the other members of the Rolling Stones (particularly his legendary love/hate feelings toward Mick Jagger) and his numerous female companions, most notably Anita and Patti. And every once in awhile someone else might chip in with a memorable anecdote, to keep things fresh. I loved this book in the respect that I could hear Keith's voice in the pages just as clearly as if he were sitting next to me; he can be a bit wordy and seem to drag things along a bit, but he's very good at slipping little stories into bigger ones. I think the only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because it took me AGES to finish, and while partially my own fault, it served to make the book difficult to read at times, remembering what had happened in the last few chapters or whatever. But overall a very enjoyable book from one of the best in the business.
Helpful Score: 1
Stones fan? You'll definitely want to pick up this memoir by Keith Richards then! Not only does Keith write like he's right in the room, but you'll be fascinated, shocked, and speechless as you read about his life. I found the pictures in the book captivating - pictures tell a thousand words. Tragic to read about someone with an addiction but uplifting to see them beat it. Keith talks about his childhood, his mom, Mick Jagger, and most of all his music. Definitely well worth the read!
I can honestly say this book surprised me. I am a long time lover of the Stones music and a fascination with the group members and Keith was nothing like I expected him to really be. He's a great storyteller and I felt a kinship with him while reading this book (even though I don't and never will have the musical knowledge he possesses). I felt like I was sitting in a circle of friends listening to him talk while reading this book. It was hard to put down, even though at times I just had to, but even after days of not reading a page of it, it was so easy to jump right back in and be memsmerized by him. Fascinating man, fascinating life and a fascinating book.
Parts of this very interesting and other parts are just boring. I am surprised he is alive or has not killed someone with all the risks he as taking during drugs and drinking. Does not star name or bash a whole lot,nice change for a celebrity book.
this book is more like a music lesson than an autobiography. his experience being in the "pirate" movie amounted to a few paragraphs. he refers to his fathers' death after the fact. maybe die hard stones fans will like it.
