As a book editor and guitar player, few things get my attention like memoirs from my real-life guitar heroes.  I was excited when I heard rumors of a pending seven-figure book deal for Rolling Stones guitarist and songwriter Keith Richards, but only to a point.  The first reason for my hesitation to expect too much of it was that I had just read Eric Clapton’s memoir, which I found perfectly pleasant and entertaining but ultimately pretty disappointing. The second was that it sounded like Keith was going get a mega-bucks kind of deal for looking back on a life that no one had any confidence he’d be able to remember much about.

To say that I was pleasantly surprised by the book that came out would be a colossal understatement. Not only does Keith make good on his claim that he does in fact remember much more than anyone could reasonably expect, he also comes across as a surprisingly likable, articulate, and very entertaining storyteller. But what’s really remarkable about this book for me is the extent to which he’s able to deliver the goods when it comes to meaningful reflection on his and Mick’s creative process in writing all those amazing songs and how exactly he “found” his sound and went on to develop his signature unique guitar style. He peels back the curtain on things many musicians are hesitant to talk about, both musically and personally, and does it with charm and flair I never expected. Sure, he’s pretty crass at times in his effort to be candid and blunt, but in a laid-back conversational sort of way that feels very natural and is often genuinely funny.  He’s honest and not the slightest bit defensive about his own flaws, direct in the good and bad things he has to say about the people he met and worked with over all those years, and manages to avoid ever taking himself too seriously. His stories radiate surprising warmth and kindness and generosity of spirit, and he comes across as very down-to-earth and grounded in a way that makes the book a genuine pleasure to read.

It’s no surprise that Keith’s life was absolutely fascinating and that there’s no shortage of sometimes hilarious, sometimes sad, but always entertaining war stories about booze and drugs and cops and women. (Not to mention hanging out with some of the greatest minds and players in the history of rock & roll.) But what is surprising is how humble he is about it all, and the degree of substance he’s able to serve up in reflecting on his own life and career. This is a book that his fans will love and that musicians can learn a lot from. But it’s also a book that I think would appeal to anyone who’s interested in the creative process behind a truly remarkable body of work and how some of the greatest records ever made came to be.

Life is a book that I didn’t want to end and one that for me sets a new standard as to how engaging and satisfying a real rock and roll memoir can be. It’s an amazing book about an amazing man who had an amazing life, which is perhaps best summed up by his own lyric.

Worked in bars and sideshows along the twilight zone
Only a crowd can make you feel so alone
And it really hit home
Booze and pills and powders, you can choose your medicine
Well it's another goodbye to another good friend

After all is said and done
Gotta move while it's still fun
Let me walk before they make me run
After all is said and done
I gotta move, it's still fun
I'm gonna walk before they make me run