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{{short description|British musician, guitarist of the Rolling Stones (born 1943)}}
{{for|the basketball coach|Keith Richard}}
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{{good article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Keith Richards
| image              = RStonesHydePark030722 (63 of 125) (Keith Richards).jpg
| caption            = Richards in 2022
| other_names        = Keith Richard
| birth_date         = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1943|12|18}}
| birth_place        = [[Dartford, Kent]], England
| education          = [[Wilmington Grammar School for Boys|Dartford Technical School]]<br>[[Sidcup Art College]]
| occupation         = {{hlist|Musician|songwriter|singer|record producer|actor}}
| years_active       = 1960–present
| spouse             = {{marriage|[[Patti Hansen]]|1983}}
| partner            = [[Anita Pallenberg]] (1967–1980)
| children           = 5, including [[Theodora Richards|Theodora]] and [[Alexandra Richards|Alexandra]]
| module             = {{Infobox musical artist|embed=yes
| background = solo_singer
| genre = {{hlist|[[Blues rock]]|[[rock and roll]]|[[rhythm and blues]]|[[hard rock]]}}
| instrument = {{flatlist|
* Guitar
* vocals}}<!--- If you think an instrument should be listed, a discussion to reach consensus is needed first per: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Infobox_musical_artist#instrument--->
| label = {{hlist|[[Decca Records|Decca]]|[[Rolling Stones Records|Rolling Stones]]|[[Virgin Records|Virgin]]/[[EMI]]|Mindless London}}
| current_member_of = {{hlist|[[The Rolling Stones]]}}
| past_member_of = {{hlist|[[The Dirty Mac]]|[[The New Barbarians (band)|The New Barbarians]]}}
| website = {{URL|keithrichards.com}}
}}
}}

'''Keith Richards'''{{refn|group=nb|name=credit|In the early years of the band's career, the name "Keith" was widely pronounced and written in the press and on Stones' album covers as "'''Keef'''", a case of [[Th-fronting|''th''-fronting]] that would eventually fade.<ref name="keef"/><ref name="diPerna"/>{{pb}}In mid-1963, [[Andrew Loog Oldham]] advised that Richards drop the ''s'' from his name, making it '''''Keith Richard'''''.{{sfn|Bockris|2003|p=44}}{{sfn|Salewicz|2001|p=58}} The change was not official and was assumed only as a [[stage name]].{{sfn|Bockris|2003|pp=44, 223}} In 1978, Richards switched back to using his legal name in all public and private contexts.{{sfn|Bockris|2003|p=223}}}} (born 18 December 1943) is an English musician, songwriter, singer and record producer who is an original member, guitarist, secondary vocalist, and co-principal songwriter of [[the Rolling Stones]]. His [[Jagger–Richards|songwriting partnership]] with the band's lead vocalist [[Mick Jagger]] is one of the most successful in history. His career spans over six decades, and his guitar playing style has been a trademark of the Rolling Stones throughout the band's career. Richards gained press notoriety for his romantic involvements and illicit drug use, and he was often portrayed as a [[Counterculture|countercultural]] figure. First professionally known as '''Keith Richard''', in 1978 he fully asserted his family name.

Richards was born in and grew up in [[Dartford, Kent]]. He studied at the [[Wilmington Grammar School for Boys|Dartford Technical School]] and [[Sidcup Art College]]. After graduating, Richards befriended Jagger, [[Bill Wyman]], [[Charlie Watts]], [[Ian Stewart (musician)|Ian Stewart]] and [[Brian Jones]] and joined the Rolling Stones. As a member of the group, Richards also sings lead on some of their songs, typically at least one song per concert, including "[[Happy (Rolling Stones song)|Happy]]", "[[Before They Make Me Run]]", and "[[Connection (Rolling Stones song)|Connection]]". Outside of his career with the Rolling Stones, Richards has also played with his own side-project, The X-Pensive Winos. He also appeared in two ''[[Pirates of the Caribbean (film series)|Pirates of the Caribbean]]'' films as [[Captain Teague]], father of [[Jack Sparrow]], whose look and characterisation were inspired by Richards himself.

In 1989, Richards was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] and in 2004 into the [[UK Music Hall of Fame]] with the Rolling Stones. ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' magazine ranked him fourth on its list of 100 best guitarists in 2011. In 2023, ''Rolling Stone's'' ranking was 15th.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=13 October 2023 |title=The 250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-guitarists-1234814010/ |access-date=14 October 2023 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref> The magazine listed fourteen songs that Richards wrote with Jagger on its "[[Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time|500 Greatest Songs of All Time]]" list.

==Early life==
Richards was born on 18 December 1943 at Livingston Hospital, in [[Dartford]], Kent, England.{{sfn|Richards|Fox|2010|p=21}} He is the only child of Doris Maud Lydia (née Dupree) and Herbert William Richards. His father was a factory worker who was wounded in the [[Second World War]] during the [[Normandy invasion]].{{sfn|Bockris|2003|p=17-18}} Richards's paternal grandparents, Ernie and Eliza Richards, were socialists and civic leaders, whom he credited as "more or less creat[ing] the Walthamstow [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]]", and both were mayors of the [[Municipal Borough of Walthamstow]] in Essex, with Eliza becoming mayor in 1941.<ref>{{cite web |last=Binns |first=Daniel |title=HISTORY: Keith Richards's Walthamstow roots |url=http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/indepth/features/9834320.HISTORY__Keith_Richards_s_Walthamstow_roots/ |url-status=live |website=[[This Is Local London]] |date=24 July 2012 |access-date=23 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822024527/http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/indepth/features/9834320.HISTORY__Keith_Richards_s_Walthamstow_roots/ |archive-date=22 August 2016}}</ref>{{sfn|Bockris|2003|p=18}} His great-grandfather's family originated from [[Wales]].{{sfn|Bockris|2003|p=17-18}}<ref name="pirate">{{cite news |last=Rowland |first=Paul |title=Exhibition of Welsh pirate portrait based on Rolling Stone |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/tm_headline=exhibition-of-welsh-pirate-portrait-based-on-rolling-stone&method=full&objectid=18011959&siteid=50082-name_page.html |access-date=24 January 2011 |newspaper=[[Western Mail (Wales)|Western Mail]] |date=30 October 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090115035902/http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/soldonsong/songlibrary/indepth/satisfaction.shtml |archive-date=15 January 2009}}</ref>{{sfn|Richards|Fox|2010|p=500}}

His maternal grandfather, Augustus Theodore "Gus" Dupree, who toured Britain with a [[jazz]] [[big band]], Gus Dupree and His Boys, fostered Richards's interest in the guitar.{{sfn|Bockris|2003|p=29–30}} Richards has said that it was Dupree who gave him his first guitar.<ref>''[[Desert Island Discs]]'', [[BBC Radio 4]], 25 October 2015</ref> His grandfather "teased" the young Richards with a guitar that was on a shelf that Richards couldn't reach at the time. Finally, Dupree told Richards that if Richards could reach the guitar, he could have it.<ref name=":4">{{cite web |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/heres-the-story-of-the-first-time-keith-richards-played-the-guitar/ |title=Here's the Story of the First Time Keith Richards Played the Guitar |author=Noisey Staff |date=23 October 2015 |website=Noisey |access-date=8 January 2019}}</ref> Richards then devised all manner of ways of reaching the guitar, including putting books and cushions on a chair, until finally getting hold of the instrument, after which his grandfather taught him the rudiments of Richards's first tune, "[[Malagueña (song)|Malagueña]]".<ref name=":4" /> He worked on the number "like mad", and then his grandfather let him keep the guitar, which he called "the prize of the century". Richards played at home, listening to recordings by [[Billie Holiday]], [[Louis Armstrong]], [[Duke Ellington]], and others.{{sfn|Bockris|2003|p=33}} His father, on the other hand, disparaged his son's musical enthusiasm.{{sfn|St. Michael|1994|p=75}} One of Richards's first guitar heroes was Elvis's guitarist [[Scotty Moore]].{{sfn|Richards|Fox|2010|p=72}}

Richards attended [[Wentworth Primary School]] with [[Mick Jagger]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-rolling-stones-119-1238187 |title=Spot where The Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger and Keith Richards met to be marked with plaque |last=Stevens |first=Jenny |date=16 December 2013 |website=[[NME]] |access-date=8 January 2019}}</ref> and was his neighbour until 1954 when the Richards and Jagger families both moved.{{sfn|Bockris|2003|p=20, 22}} From 1955 to 1959, Richards attended Dartford Technical High School for Boys. He never sat the [[eleven-plus]] due to illness.<ref>Keith Richards – My life as a Rolling Stone – 2022</ref>{{sfn|Bockris|2003|p=22}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.odwa.co.uk/archives/school_with_kr.jpg |title=Dartford and Swanley Informer |last=Wells |first=Dennis |date=6 July 1995 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002114344/http://www.odwa.co.uk/archives/school_with_kr.jpg |archive-date=2 October 2011 |url-status=bot: unknown |access-date=24 March 2018}}</ref> Recruited by Dartford Tech's choirmaster, R. W. "Jake" Clare, he sang in a trio of [[boy soprano]]s at, among other occasions, [[Westminster Abbey]] for Queen [[Elizabeth II]].{{sfn|Bockris|2003|p=27-28}} In 1959, Richards was expelled from Dartford Tech for truancy and transferred to [[Sidcup Art College]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-kent-25384381 |title=Plaque to mark Jagger-Richards meet |date=14 December 2013 |work=[[BBC News]] |access-date=8 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/may/26/rolling-stones-london-stadium-live-review |title=Rolling Stones review – satisfaction guaranteed from rock's old stagers|last=Empire|first=Kitty |date=26 May 2018 |work=The Guardian |access-date=8 January 2019 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> where he met [[Dick Taylor]].{{sfn|Bockris|2003|p=30}}{{sfn|Rej|2006|p=263}} At Sidcup, he was diverted from his studies proper and devoted more time to playing guitar with other students in the boys' room. At this point, Richards had learned most of [[Chuck Berry]]'s solos.{{sfn|Bockris|2003|p=34-35}}[[File:Keith-Richards-1965.jpg|thumb|upright|Richards in 1965]]

Richards met Jagger again by chance on a train platform when Jagger was heading for classes at the [[London School of Economics]].{{sfn|Bockris|2003|p=38}} The mail-order [[rhythm and blues]] albums from [[Chess Records]] by Chuck Berry and [[Muddy Waters]] that Jagger was carrying revealed a mutual interest<ref>{{cite web |title=Keith Richards – The Origin Of The Species – Media Centre |publisher=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/proginfo/2016/30/keith-richards-the-origin-of-the-species |access-date=28 July 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160727020004/http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/proginfo/2016/30/keith-richards-the-origin-of-the-species |archive-date=27 July 2016}}</ref><ref>"I'm looking at this guy and I..., I know you, what you've got under your arm is worth robbing" {{cite web |title=Keith Richards – The Origin of the Species (Julien Temple) – BBC Two |publisher=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07m8n2v |access-date=28 July 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160726065423/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07m8n2v |archive-date=26 July 2016}}</ref> and led to a renewal of their friendship. Along with mutual friend Dick Taylor, Jagger was singing in an amateur band, Little Boy Blue and the Blue Boys, which Richards soon joined.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/100-greatest-guitarists-david-frickes-picks-146383/ |title=Keith Richards |last=Fricke |first=David |date=3 December 2010 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=8 January 2019|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-kent-15333771 |title=When Mick met Keith |date=17 October 2011 |work=BBC News |access-date=8 January 2019}}</ref> The Blue Boys folded when [[Brian Jones]], after sharing thoughts on their joint interest in the blues music, invited Mick and Keith to the Bricklayers Arms pub, where they then met [[Ian Stewart (musician)|Ian Stewart]].<ref>''It's Only Rock 'n' Roll, The Ultimate Guide to the Rolling Stones'', James Karnbach and Carol Bernson, Facts on File Inc., New York, NY., 1997</ref><ref>Ian Stewart Interview by Lisa Robinson, ''Creem'' Magazine, June 1976</ref>

By mid-1962, Richards had left Sidcup Art College<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/apr/19/art-schools |title=So, what did you learn at school today: do art colleges still produce inventive pop stars |last=Hodgkinson |first=Will |date=18 April 2009 |work=The Guardian |access-date=8 January 2019 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> to devote himself to music, and moved into a London flat with Jagger and Jones. His parents divorced at about the same time, resulting in his staying close to his mother and remaining [[Family estrangement|estranged]] from his father until 1982.{{sfn|Bockris|2003|p=327-328}}

After [[the Rolling Stones]] signed to [[Decca Records]] in 1963, the band's manager, [[Andrew Loog Oldham]], sought to rework their image.{{sfn|Bockris|2003|pp=44, 63}}{{sfn|Salewicz|2001|p=58}} As part of his efforts, he advised Richards to drop the ''s'' from his surname, believing that '''Keith Richard''', in his words, "looked more pop",{{sfn|Bockris|2003|p=63}} and that it would echo the name of the British rock and roll singer [[Cliff Richard]].<ref>{{harvnb|Davis|2001|p=58}}; {{harvnb|Salewicz|2001|p=58}}; {{harvnb|Egan|2006|p=23}}; {{harvnb|Jucha|2019|p=14}}</ref> The change was not official and was assumed only as a [[stage name]].{{sfn|Bockris|2003|pp=44, 223}} In 1978, Richards switched back to using his legal name in all public and private contexts.{{sfn|Bockris|2003|p=223}}

==Musicianship==
[[File:The Rolling Stones, konsert i messehallen på Skøyen, 1965.jpg|thumb|Richards (far right) performing onstage with the Rolling Stones in Oslo, 1965]]
Richards plays both lead and rhythm guitar parts, often in the same song; the Stones are generally known for their guitar interplay of rhythm and lead ("weaving") between him and the other guitarist in the band – [[Brian Jones]] (1962–1969), [[Mick Taylor]] (1969–1975), or [[Ronnie Wood]] (1975–present). In the recording studio Richards sometimes plays all of the guitar parts, notably on the songs "[[Paint It Black]]", "[[Ruby Tuesday (song)|Ruby Tuesday]]", "[[Sympathy for the Devil]]", and "[[Gimme Shelter]]". He is also a vocalist, singing [[backing vocals]] on many Rolling Stones songs as well as occasional lead vocals, such as on the Rolling Stones' 1972 single "[[Happy (The Rolling Stones song)|Happy]]", as well as with his [[side project]], the X-Pensive Winos.

===Bandleader===
Since the mid-1960s, Richards and Mick Jagger have been the primary songwriters for the Stones, as well as the band's primary producers since the mid-1970s (credited as the [[Glimmer Twins]]), often in collaboration with an outside producer. Former keyboardist Ian Stewart once said that Richards was the Rolling Stones' bandleader; Richards has said that his job is merely "oiling the machinery". Unlike many bands where the drummer sets the pace and acts as a timesetter for a song, Richards fills that role for the Rolling Stones. Both former bassist [[Bill Wyman]] and current guitarist Ronnie Wood have said that the Stones did not follow the band's long-time drummer, [[Charlie Watts]], but rather followed Richards, as there was "no way of 'not' following" him.<ref name="gw86"/>{{sfn|Bockris|2003|p=56}}

===Guitarist===
[[File:Keith Richards 1973.jpg|thumb|Richards playing guitar in concert, 1972|207x207px]]
[[Chris Spedding]] calls Richards's guitar playing "direct, incisive and unpretentious".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chrisspedding.com/jour/kr.htm |title=Keith on keeping on – interview with Keith Richards |publisher=Chrisspedding.com |access-date=15 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708151836/http://www.chrisspedding.com/jour/kr.htm |archive-date=8 July 2011}}</ref> Richards says he focuses on chords and rhythms, avoiding flamboyant and competitive virtuosity and trying not to be the "fastest gun in the west".<ref name="gw86">{{cite news |last=Santoro |first=Gene |title=The Mojo Man Rocks Out |newspaper=Guitar World, March 1986, reprinted (2006) in Guitar Legends: The Rolling Stones |year=1986}}</ref> Richards prefers teaming with at least one other guitarist and has almost never toured without one.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sabellastudios.com/tips_krichards.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051025194504/http://www.sabellastudios.com/tips_krichards.php |archive-date=25 October 2005 |title=Sabella Recording Studios: Keith Richards Interview |publisher=Sabellastudios.com |access-date=15 October 2010}}</ref> Chuck Berry has been an inspiration for Richards,{{sfn|Wyman|2002|p=30}} and, with Jagger, he introduced Berry's songs to the Rolling Stones' early repertoire. In the late 1960s Brian Jones's declining contributions led Richards to record all guitar parts on many tracks, including [[slide guitar]]. Jones's replacement, Mick Taylor, played guitar with the Rolling Stones from 1969 to 1974. Taylor's virtuosity on lead guitar led to a pronounced separation between lead and rhythm guitar roles, most notably onstage.<ref name="gw86"/> In 1975 Taylor was replaced by Wood, whose arrival marked a return to a guitar interplay Richards called "the ancient art of weaving", which he and Jones had gleaned from [[Chicago blues]].{{sfn|Jagger|Richards|Watts|Wood|2003|p=39, 180}}

A break in touring during 1967–1968 allowed Richards to experiment with [[open tuning]]s. He mainly used open tunings for fingered chording, developing a distinctive style of syncopated and ringing I–IV chording heard on "[[Street Fighting Man]]" and "[[Start Me Up]]".<ref>''Guitar World'', October 2002. Interview: "Heart Of Stone"</ref> Richards's favoured{{snd}}but not exclusively used{{snd}}open tuning is a five-string [[Open G tuning|open G]] tuning: GDGBD. Richards often removes the lowest string from his guitar, playing with only five strings and letting the band's bass player pick up those notes, as the lower string just "gets in the way" of Richards's playing.{{sfn|Hunter|2012|p=141}} Several of his Telecasters are tuned this way. This tuning is prominent on Rolling Stones recordings, including "[[Honky Tonk Women]]", "[[Brown Sugar (The Rolling Stones song)|Brown Sugar]]", and "Start Me Up".<ref name="keithcomesclean">{{cite magazine |last=Obrecht |first=Jas |title=Keith Richards Comes Clean on Distortion and the Meaning of Music |magazine=Guitar Player |year=1992 |url=http://www.geocities.com/abexile/keithintgpl.htm |access-date=9 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080407214055/http://www.geocities.com/abexile/keithintgpl.htm |archive-date=7 April 2008}}</ref> Richards has stated that [[banjo]] tuning was the inspiration for this tuning.<ref name="music.cbc.ca">{{cite web |url=https://www.cbcmusic.ca/posts/11406/keith-richards-explains-the-5-string-guitar-5-stri |title=Keith Richards explains the 5-string guitar: '5 strings, 3 notes, 2 hands and 1 asshole' |last=Kinos-Goodin |first=Jesse |publisher=CBC Music |date=17 September 2015 |access-date=4 January 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301002442/http://music.cbc.ca/#!/blogs/2013/6/Rear-view-Mirror-Who-was-Suzanne-and-why-did-Leonard-Cohen-make-her-famous |archive-date=1 March 2016 }}</ref>

Richards regards [[acoustic guitar]] as the basis for his playing,<ref name="diPerna">{{cite web |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/gw-archive/rolling-stones-keith-richards-looks-back-40-years-music-gimme-shelter-interview |title=Keith Richards Looks Back on 40 Rocking Years with the Rolling Stones |last=di Perna|first=Alan|website=guitarworld |date=6 January 2012|access-date=14 May 2019}}</ref> believing that the limitations of electric guitar would cause him to "lose that touch" if he stopped playing an acoustic.<ref name="keithcomesclean"/> Richards plays acoustic guitar on many Rolling Stones tracks, including "Play with Fire", "Brown Sugar", and "[[Angie (song)|Angie]]". All guitars on the studio versions of "Street Fighting Man" and "[[Jumpin' Jack Flash]]" feature acoustic guitars overloaded to a cassette recorder, then re-amped through a loudspeaker in the studio.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/news/keith-richards-8216i-had-a-sound-in-my-head-that-was-bugging-me8217-1386788547 |title=Keith Richards: 'I Had a Sound in My Head That Was Bugging Me' |last=Myers |first=Marc |date=11 December 2013 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |access-date=14 May 2019 |issn=0099-9660 }}{{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

===Vocals===
Richards sang in a school choir{{snd}}most notably for Queen Elizabeth II{{snd}}until adolescence's effect on his voice forced him out of it.{{sfn|Booth|1994|p=173-174}} He has sung backing vocals on every Rolling Stones album. Since ''[[Between the Buttons]]'' (1967), he has sung lead or co-lead on at least one track (see list below) of every Rolling Stones studio album except ''[[Their Satanic Majesties Request]]'', ''[[Sticky Fingers]]'', ''[[It's Only Rock 'n Roll]]'', and ''[[Blue & Lonesome (The Rolling Stones album)|Blue & Lonesome]]''.

He has sung lead on more than ten Rolling Stones songs, including "[[Happy (Rolling Stones song)|Happy]]", "[[You Got the Silver]]", and "[[Connection (Rolling Stones song)|Connection]]".<ref>{{Cite magazine|last1=Dolan|first1=Jon|last2=Doyle|first2=Patrick|last3=Grow|first3=Kory|last4=Hermes|first4=Will|last5=Sheffield|first5=Rob|date=10 September 2015|title=Keith Richards' 20 Greatest Songs|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/keith-richards-20-greatest-songs-58556/|access-date=11 October 2021|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US}}</ref> During the Rolling Stones' 1972 tour, the Richards-sung "Happy" entered into their concert repertoire, and since then he has sung lead vocals on one or two songs each concert{{sfn|Appleford|2000|p=119}}{{sfn|Jagger|Richards|Watts|Wood|2003|p=290}}<ref>{{Cite web|last=Paulson|first=Dave|date=10 October 2021|title=The Rolling Stones spend the night with Nashville in explosive stadium concert|url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2021/10/10/rolling-stones-concert-review-nashville-setlist-2021/5903789001/|access-date=11 October 2021|website=The Tennessean|language=en-US}}</ref> in order to give Jagger time to change his outfit.{{sfn|Jagger|Richards|Watts|Wood|2003|p=290}} Keith usually starts with [[Max Miller (comedian)|Max Miller]] routines such as "It's nice to be here{{snd}}it's nice to be anywhere", in order to give the audience a moment to catch its proverbial breath.{{sfn|Jagger|Richards|Watts|Wood|2003|p=290}} During the 2006 and 2007 Rolling Stones' tours, Richards sang "You Got the Silver" (1969) without playing any instrument.<ref name="shine">{{cite video |people=The Rolling Stones |title=Shine a Light |medium= DVD released 2008 |publisher=Universal |year=2006}}</ref>

==Songwriting==
{{Main|Jagger–Richards}}
Richards and Jagger began writing songs together in 1963, prompted by manager Andrew Loog Oldham, who believed the band could not depend on outside songwriters.{{sfn|Oldham|2000|p=249-251}} The earliest [[Jagger/Richards]] collaborations were recorded by other artists, including [[Gene Pitney]], whose rendition of "That Girl Belongs to Yesterday" was their first top-ten single in the UK.{{sfn|Elliott|2002|p=16}} They scored another top-ten hit in 1964 with the debut single written for [[Marianne Faithfull]], "[[As Tears Go By (song)|As Tears Go By]]".

The first top-ten hit for the Rolling Stones with a Jagger and Richards original was "[[The Last Time (The Rolling Stones song)|The Last Time]]" in early 1965;{{sfn|Elliott|2002|p=60}} "[[(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction]]" (also 1965) was their first international number-one recording. Richards has stated that the "Satisfaction" riff came to him in his sleep; he woke up just long enough to record it on a [[cassette player]] by his bed.{{sfn|Booth|1994|p=51}} Since ''[[Aftermath (Rolling Stones album)|Aftermath]]'' (1966) most Rolling Stones albums have consisted mainly of Jagger and Richards originals. Their songs reflect the influence of blues, R&B, rock and roll, pop, [[Soul music|soul]], [[Gospel music|gospel]], and [[Country music|country]], as well as forays into [[Rock music#Psychedelic rock|psychedelia]] and [[Bob Dylan|Dylanesque]] social commentary. Their work in the 1970s and beyond has incorporated elements of [[funk]], [[disco]], [[reggae]], and [[Punk music|punk]].<ref name="tioos-songwriting">{{cite web |last=McPherson |first=Ian |title=Jagger/Richards: Songwriters |url=http://www.timeisonourside.com/songwriting.html |access-date=17 March 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509143847/http://www.timeisonourside.com/songwriting.html |archive-date=9 May 2008}}</ref> Richards has also written and recorded slow torchy ballads, such as "You Got the Silver" (1969), "[[Coming Down Again]]" (1973), "[[All About You (The Rolling Stones song)|All About You]]" (1980) and "[[Slipping Away (The Rolling Stones song)|Slipping Away]]" (1989). His [[Jagger–Richards|songwriting partnership]] with Mick Jagger is one of the most successful in history.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mick Jagger & Keith Richards|url=https://www.abkco.com/songwriter/mick-jagger-keith-richards-songwriter-info-credits-bio/|access-date=10 October 2021|website=ABKCO Music & Records, Inc.|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Savage|first=Mark|date=19 November 2020|title=Keith Richards: 'I'll celebrate the Stones' 60th anniversary in a wheelchair'|language=en-GB|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-54985958|access-date=10 October 2021}}</ref>

In his solo career, Richards has often shared co-writing credits with drummer and co-producer [[Steve Jordan (drummer)|Steve Jordan]]. Richards has stated, "I've always thought songs written by two people are better than those written by one. You get another angle on it."<ref name="tioos-songwriting"/>

Richards has frequently expressed that he feels less like a creator than a conduit when writing songs: "I don't have that God aspect about it. I prefer to think of myself as an antenna. There's only one song, and Adam and Eve wrote it; the rest is a variation on a theme."<ref name="tioos-songwriting"/> Richards was inducted into the [[Songwriters Hall of Fame]] in 1993.<ref name="songwritershof">{{cite web |title=Inductees: Keith Richards |publisher=Songwriters Hall of Fame |url=http://www.songwritershalloffame.org/exhibit_bio.asp?exhibitId=113 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030327102530/http://www.songwritershalloffame.org/exhibit_bio.asp?exhibitId=113 |archive-date=27 March 2003 |access-date=3 March 2008}}</ref>

==Record production==
Richards has been active as a music producer since the 1960s. He was credited as producer and musical director on the 1966 album ''Today's Pop Symphony'', one of manager [[Andrew Loog Oldham]]'s side projects, although there are doubts about how much Richards was actually involved with it.{{sfn|Wyman|2002|p=224}} On the Rolling Stones' 1967 album ''Their Satanic Majesties Request'', the entire band was credited as producer, but since 1974, Richards and Mick Jagger have frequently co-produced both Rolling Stones records and those by other artists under the name "[[the Glimmer Twins]]", often in collaboration with other producers.

In early 1973, Jagger and Richards developed an interest in the band [[Kracker]], resulting in a deal whereby the band's second album was licensed for distribution outside the United States by [[Rolling Stones Records]], making Kracker the first band on that label.{{sfn|Thompson|2004|page=130}}{{sfn|Paytress|2009|p=316}}{{sfn|Loewenstein|2014|p=138}}

Since the 1980s Richards has chalked up numerous production and co-production credits on projects with other artists including [[Aretha Franklin]], [[Johnnie Johnson (musician)|Johnnie Johnson]], and [[Ronnie Spector]], as well as on his own albums with the X-Pensive Winos (see below). In the 1990s Richards co-produced and added guitar and vocals to a recording of [[nyabinghi rhythm|nyabinghi Rastafarian]] chanting and drumming entitled "[[Wingless Angels (band)|Wingless Angels]]", released on Richards's own record label, Mindless Records, in 1997.<ref name="Leggett">Leggett, Steve "[{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p225412/biography|pure_url=yes}} Wingless Angels Biography]", [[AllMusic]], Macrovision Corporation. Retrieved 29 November 2009</ref>

===Solo recordings===
Richards has released few solo recordings. His first solo single, released in 1978, was a cover of Chuck Berry's "[[Run Rudolph Run]]", backed with his version of [[Jimmy Cliff]]'s "[[The Harder They Come (song)|The Harder They Come]]". In 1987, after Jagger pursued a solo recording and touring career, Richards formed the "X-Pensive Winos" with co-songwriter and co-producer Steve Jordan, whom Richards assembled for his Chuck Berry documentary ''[[Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll]]''.{{sfn|Christgau|1988|pp=60–66}}

Additional members of the X-Pensive Winos included guitarist [[Waddy Wachtel]], saxophonist [[Bobby Keys]], keyboardist [[Ivan Neville]], and [[Charley Drayton]] on bass. The first Winos' record, ''[[Talk Is Cheap]]'', also featured [[Bernie Worrell]], [[Bootsy Collins]], and [[Maceo Parker]]. Since its release, ''Talk Is Cheap'' has gone [[Music recording sales certification|gold]] and has sold consistently. Its release was followed by the first of the two US tours Richards has done as a solo artist. ''Live at the Hollywood Palladium, 15 December 1988'' documents the first of these tours. In 1992 the Winos' second studio record, ''[[Main Offender]]'', was released, also followed by a tour.<ref name="nzentgraf">{{cite web |last=Zentgraf |first=Nico |title=The Complete Works of the Rolling Stones 1962–2008 |url=http://www.nzentgraf.de/books/tcw/works1.htm |access-date=23 February 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080319105527/http://www.nzentgraf.de/books/tcw/works1.htm |archive-date=19 March 2008 }}</ref> Although the Winos featured on both albums, the albums were credited to Richards as a solo artist.

A third Richards album, ''[[Crosseyed Heart]]'', was released in September 2015.<ref name="crosseyedheart">{{cite web|title=Official Keith Richards website|url=http://www.keithrichards.com/news/keith-richards-releases-crosseyed-heart-117291|website=Keithrichards.com|access-date=11 December 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120161912/http://www.keithrichards.com/news/keith-richards-releases-crosseyed-heart-117291|archive-date=20 January 2016}}</ref>

===Recordings with other artists===
During the 1960s, most of Richards's recordings with artists other than the Rolling Stones were sessions for Andrew Loog Oldham's [[Immediate Records]] label. Notable exceptions were when Richards, along with Mick Jagger and numerous other guests, sang on [[the Beatles]]' 1967 TV broadcast of "[[All You Need Is Love]]",<ref name="nzentgraf"/> and when he played bass with [[John Lennon]], [[Eric Clapton]], [[Mitch Mitchell]], [[Ivry Gitlis]], and [[Yoko Ono]] as [[the Dirty Mac]] for ''[[The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus]]'' TV special filmed in 1968.<ref name="rnrcircus">{{cite video |people=The Rolling Stones, the Dirty Mac| title=Rock and Roll Circus |medium=DVD released 2004 |publisher=ABKCO Films |year=1968 }}</ref>

In the 1970s, Richards worked outside the Rolling Stones with Ronnie Wood on several occasions, contributing guitar, piano, and vocals to Wood's first two solo albums and joining him on stage for two July 1974 concerts to promote ''[[I've Got My Own Album to Do]]''. In December 1974 Richards also made a guest appearance at a [[Faces (band)|Faces]] concert. During 1976 and 1977, Richards both co-produced and played on [[John Phillips (musician)|John Phillips]]'s solo recording ''[[Pay Pack & Follow]]'' (released in 2001). In 1979 he toured the US with [[The New Barbarians (band)|the New Barbarians]], the band that Wood put together to promote his album ''[[Gimme Some Neck]]''; he and Wood also contributed guitar and backing vocals to "Truly" on [[Ian McLagan]]'s 1979 album ''[[Troublemaker (album)|Troublemaker]]'' (re-released in 2005 as ''Here Comes Trouble'').<ref name="nzentgraf"/>

Since the 1980s, Richards has made more frequent guest appearances. In 1981 he played on reggae singer [[Max Romeo]]'s album ''Holding Out My Love to You''. He has worked with [[Tom Waits]] on three occasions: adding guitar and backing vocals to Waits's album ''[[Rain Dogs]]'' (1985); co-writing, playing on, and sharing the lead vocal on "That Feel" on ''[[Bone Machine]]'' (1992); and adding guitar and vocals to ''[[Bad As Me]]'' (2011). In 1986 Richards produced and played on [[Aretha Franklin]]'s rendition of "[[Jumpin' Jack Flash]]" and served as musical producer and band leader (or, as he phrased it, "S&M director")<ref name="hailhail">{{cite video |people=Berry, Chuck; Richards, Keith|title=Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll |medium=DVD released 2006 |publisher=Universal City Studios Inc |year=1986 }}</ref> for the [[Chuck Berry]] film ''[[Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll]]''.<ref name="nzentgraf"/>

In the 1990s and 2000s, Richards continued to contribute to a wide range of musical projects as a guest artist. A few of the notable sessions he has done include guitar and vocals on Johnnie Johnson's 1991 release ''Johnnie B. Bad'', which he also co-produced; and lead vocals and guitar on "Oh Lord, Don't Let Them Drop That Atomic Bomb on Me" on the 1992 [[Charles Mingus]] tribute album ''Weird Nightmare''. He duetted with country legend [[George Jones]] on "Say It's Not You" on the ''[[Bradley Barn Sessions]]'' (1994); a second duet from the same sessions, "Burn Your Playhouse Down", appeared on Jones's 2008 release ''[[Burn Your Playhouse Down]]''. He partnered with [[Levon Helm]] on "Deuce and a Quarter" for [[Scotty Moore]]'s album ''All the King's Men'' (1997). His guitar and lead vocals are featured on the [[Hank Williams]] tribute album ''Timeless'' (2001) and on veteran blues guitarist [[Hubert Sumlin]]'s album ''About Them Shoes'' (2005). Richards also added guitar and vocals to [[Toots & the Maytals]]' recording of "Careless Ethiopians" for their 2004 album ''[[True Love (Toots & the Maytals album)|True Love]]'', which won the [[Grammy Award]] for [[Best Reggae Album]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/awards/47th-annual-grammy-awards|title=47th Annual GRAMMY Awards|date=28 November 2017|publisher=National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences|access-date=4 January 2019}}</ref> Additionally, in December 2007 Richards released a download-only Christmas single via [[iTunes]] of "[[Run Rudolph Run]]"; and the [[B-side]] was a 2003 recorded version of the famous [[reggae]] song "[[Pressure Drop (song)|Pressure Drop]]" featuring [[Toots Hibbert]] singing with Richards backed by original Maytals band members Jackie Jackson and [[Paul Douglas (musician)|Paul Douglas]].<ref name="nzentgraf" />

===Rare and unreleased recordings===
In 2005, the Rolling Stones released ''[[Rarities 1971–2003]]'', which includes some rare and limited-issue recordings, but Richards has described the band's released output as the "tip of the iceberg".<ref>Four Flicks – Disc 4 (Arena Show) – in the extras section for [[Start Me Up]]</ref> Many of the band's unreleased songs and studio [[jam session]]s are widely [[Bootleg recording|bootlegged]], as are numerous Richards solo recordings, including his 1977 [[Toronto]] studio sessions, some 1981 studio sessions, and tapes made during his 1983 wedding trip to Mexico.<ref name="nzentgraf"/>

==Public image and personal life==

===Relationships and family===
Richards began dating model and actress [[Anita Pallenberg]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Saperstein |first1=Pat |title=Anita Pallenberg, Actress and Longtime Girlfriend of Keith Richards, Dies at 73 |url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/anita-pallenberg-dead-dies-keith-richards-1202465216 |access-date=14 June 2017 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=14 June 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170614015259/http://variety.com/2017/film/news/anita-pallenberg-dead-dies-keith-richards-1202465216/ |archive-date=14 June 2017}}</ref> in 1967, on a trip to [[Morocco]]. She had previously been involved with his band mate [[Brian Jones]], who was originally supposed to go to Morocco but ultimately did not after falling ill, and news of their relationship affected Jones deeply.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/why-anita-pallenberg-rolling-stones-muse-was-queen-of-the-underground-204744/ |title=Rob Sheffield: Why Anita Pallenberg Was Queen of the Underground |last=Sheffield |first=Rob |date=14 June 2017 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=10 March 2019|url-access=limited}}</ref> Together, they had three children: Marlon Leon Sundeep Richards (b. 10 August 1969), Dandelion Angela Richards (b. 17 April 1972), and Tara Jo Jo Gunne Richards (26 March 1976 – 6 June 1976). Marlon was named after American actor [[Marlon Brando]] and Tara was named after British heir [[Tara Browne]] and the [[Chuck Berry]] song [[Jo Jo Gunne (song)|"Jo Jo Gunne"]].{{sfn|Wyman|2002|p=392}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Keith Richards' 5 Children: All About His Sons and Daughters |url=https://people.com/all-about-keith-richards-kids-7508738 |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=People.com |language=en}}</ref>{{sfn|Wyman|2002|p=343}} Tara died from [[SIDS]] while Richards was on tour, something he said haunted him.{{sfn|Richards|Fox|2010|p=263}}<ref>{{Cite book |title=Keith Richards: The Biography |last=Bockris |first=Victor |publisher=Poseidon Press |year=1993 |isbn=9780671875909 |pages=242}}</ref>{{sfn|Bockris|2003|p=242–246}} He defended his decision to perform hours after learning of Tara's death, explaining that in 2015 interview with ''[[The Guardian]]'' that performing was the only way he could cope.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/oct/25/stones-music-bbc |title=I owe it all to my mum's impeccable taste in music says rocker Keith Richards |first=Vanessa |last=Thorpe |work=The Guardian |date=25 October 2015 |access-date=25 October 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151025023940/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/oct/25/stones-music-bbc |archive-date=25 October 2015 }}</ref> He and Pallenberg broke up in 1979 and remained cordial. 

[[File:Theodora Richards, Patti Hansen, Keith Richards, Alexandra Richards at Hung On U launch.jpg|thumb|left to right: daughter [[Theodora Richards]], wife [[Patti Hansen]], Richards, daughter [[Alexandra Richards]], in 2011]]
Richards met model [[Patti Hansen]] in 1979 and they married on 18 December 1983, Richards's 40th birthday. Together, they have two children, [[Theodora Richards|Theodora Dupree Richards]] (b. 18 March 1985) and [[Alexandra Richards|Alexandra Nicole Richards]] (b. 28 July 1986), both born in [[New York City]]. Theodora was named after Richards's grandfather, Theodore Augustus Dupree.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/rolling-stone-keith-richards-writing-childrens-book-with-daughter-9186836.html |access-date=13 March 2014 |title=Rolling Stone Keith Richards writing children's book with daughter |newspaper=The Independent |date=14 March 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313005255/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/rolling-stone-keith-richards-writing-childrens-book-with-daughter-9186836.html |archive-date=13 March 2014}}</ref>

Richards has seven grandchildren.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Oscar and I's son Augustus LeBeau Richards Burnett came jnto the wild world on May21st |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/C_yjX0pIQb2/?img_index=1 |last=Richards |first=Theodora |date=September 11, 2024 |website=Instagram}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Our little bundle of love, Arlowe Mae Naudé blessed us with her presence May 19th |url=https://www.instagram.com/officialalexandrarichards/p/CPWuPcjgmFE/?img_index=1 |last=Richards |first=Alexandra |date=May 27, 2021 |website=Instagram}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.keithrichards.com/news/keith-richards-welcomes-new-grandchild-family-39326 |title=Five grandchildren |work=KeithRichards.com Official Website |access-date=28 September 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606072647/http://www.keithrichards.com/news/keith-richards-welcomes-new-grandchild-family-39326 |archive-date=6 June 2014}}</ref>

In September 2014, Richards published a children's book with Theodora, ''Gus and Me: The Story of My Granddad and My First Guitar'', based on Richards's grandfather.

====Friendship with Mick Jagger====
{{See also|Jagger–Richards}}[[File:Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.jpg|thumb|Jagger (left) and Richards (right) performing in the Rolling Stones' [[Hyde Park Live|second appearance]] at Hyde Park on 6 July 2013. Their first appearance there was on [[The Stones in the Park|5 July 1969.]]]]
Richards's relationship with bandmate Mick Jagger is frequently described as "[[Love–hate relationship|love/hate]]" by the media.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://breakingnews.iol.ie/entertainment/?jp=cwkfojojeyid |title=Jagger describes love/hate relationship with Richards |date=8 October 2005 |website=IOL |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112111534/http://breakingnews.iol.ie/entertainment/?jp=cwkfojojeyid |archive-date=12 November 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3290411.stm |title=Entertainment &#124; Stones row over Jagger knighthood |work=BBC News |date=4 December 2003 |access-date=28 June 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714101718/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3290411.stm |archive-date=14 July 2014}}</ref> Richards himself said in a 1998 interview: "I think of our differences as a family squabble. If I shout and scream at him, it's because no one else has the guts to do it or else they're paid not to do it. At the same time I'd hope Mick realises that I'm a friend who is just trying to bring him into line and do what needs to be done."<ref>{{cite news |first=Stephen |last=Holden |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DEEDD113FF931A25753C1A96E948260 |title=The Pop Life |newspaper=The New York Times |date=12 October 1988 |access-date=28 June 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090115035902/http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/soldonsong/songlibrary/indepth/satisfaction.shtml |archive-date=15 January 2009|url-access=limited}}</ref> Richards, along with Johnny Depp, tried unsuccessfully to persuade Jagger to appear in ''[[Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides]]'', alongside Depp and Richards.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpps/entertainment/johnny-depp-keith-richards-to-begin-pirates-dpgoh-20100426-fc_7243988 |title=Johnny Depp, Keith Richards to Begin Fourth 'Pirates' – Mick Jagger rumored for fourth 'Pirates' |publisher=My Fox Houston |date=26 April 2010 |access-date=5 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823012758/http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpps/entertainment/johnny-depp-keith-richards-to-begin-pirates-dpgoh-20100426-fc_7243988 |archive-date=23 August 2011}}</ref>

Richards's autobiography, ''[[Life (Keith Richards)|Life]]'', was published on 26 October 2010.<ref name="life" /> Eleven days prior to its release, the [[Associated Press]] published an article stating that in the book Richards refers to Jagger as "unbearable" and notes that their relationship has been strained "for decades".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bloxham |first1=Andy |title=Keith Richards: 'Mick Jagger has been unbearable since 1980s' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturenews/8065721/Keith-Richards-Mick-Jagger-has-been-unbearable-since-1980s.html |website=The Telegraph |access-date=18 August 2015 |date=15 October 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150901082740/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturenews/8065721/Keith-Richards-Mick-Jagger-has-been-unbearable-since-1980s.html |archive-date=1 September 2015}}</ref> His opinion softening by 2015, Richards still said Jagger could come off as a "snob" but added, "I still love him dearly&nbsp;... your friends don't have to be perfect."<ref name="nydailynews.com" />

===Drug use and arrests===
Music journalist [[Nick Kent]] attached to Richards [[Lord Byron]]'s epithet of "mad, bad, and dangerous to know." Jagger thought that Richards's image had "contributed to him becoming a junkie".{{sfn|Bockris|2003|p=213-214}} In 1994, Richards said his image was "like a long shadow ... Even though that was nearly twenty years ago, you cannot convince some people that I'm not a mad drug addict."<ref name="Q1994p91">{{cite news |last=Deevoy |first=Adrian |title=Ladies and Gentlemen, the Interesting Old Farts |magazine=[[Q (magazine)|Q]] |publisher=EMAP Metro |date=August 1994 |page=91}}</ref>

Richards's notoriety for illicit drug use stems in part from several drug busts during the late 1960s and 1970s and his candour about using heroin and other substances. Richards has been tried on drug-related charges five times: in 1967, twice in 1973, in 1977, and in 1978.{{sfn|Bockris|2003|p=133–135, 215–216, 280–283}}{{sfn|Flippo|1985|p=177-178}} The first trial{{snd}}the only one culminating in a prison sentence{{sfn|Flippo|1985|p=177-178}} – resulted from a [[The Rolling Stones' drug bust|February 1967 police raid]] on [[Redlands, West Wittering|Redlands]], Richards's [[Sussex]] estate, where he and some friends, including Jagger, were spending the weekend.{{sfn|Booth|2000|p=243-245}} The subsequent arrest of Richards and Jagger put them on trial before the [[Courts of the United Kingdom|British courts]], whilst also trying them in the court of public opinion. On 29 June 1967, Jagger was sentenced to three months' imprisonment for possession of four amphetamine tablets. Richards was found guilty of allowing cannabis to be smoked on his property and sentenced to one year in prison.{{sfn|Booth|2000|p=276}} Both Jagger and Richards were imprisoned at that point: Jagger was taken to [[Brixton Prison]] in south London,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.musicpilgrimages.com/interest/index.php?alias=mick_goes_to_jail.html |title=Mick goes to jail |publisher=musicpilgrimages.com |date=11 October 2009 |access-date=15 October 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714135425/http://www.musicpilgrimages.com/interest/index.php?alias=mick_goes_to_jail.html |archive-date=14 July 2011}}</ref> and Richards to [[Wormwood Scrubs Prison]] in west London.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.musicpilgrimages.com/interest/index.php?alias=keith_goes_to_jail.html |title=Keith goes to jail |publisher=musicpilgrimages.com |date=14 October 2009 |access-date=15 October 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714135439/http://www.musicpilgrimages.com/interest/index.php?alias=keith_goes_to_jail.html |archive-date=14 July 2011}}</ref> Both were released on bail the next day pending appeal.{{sfn|Booth|2000|p=277}} On 1 July, ''[[The Times]]'' ran an editorial entitled "[[Who breaks a butterfly upon a wheel?]]", portraying Jagger's sentence as persecution, and public sentiment against the convictions increased.{{sfn|Wyman|2002|p=286}} A month later the appeals court overturned Richards's conviction for lack of evidence, and gave Jagger a [[conditional discharge]].{{sfn|Booth|2000|p=278–279}}

On 27 February 1977, while Richards was staying in a [[Toronto]] hotel, then known as the [[Westin Harbour Castle Hotel|Harbour Castle Hilton]] on [[Queens Quay (Toronto)|Queens Quay East]], the [[Royal Canadian Mounted Police]] found heroin in his room and charged him with "possession of heroin for the purpose of trafficking"{{snd}}an offence that at that time could result in prison sentences of seven years to life under the [[Narcotic Control Act]].{{sfn|Flippo|1985|p=67–68}} His passport was confiscated, and Richards and his family remained in Toronto until 1 April, when Richards was allowed to enter the United States on a medical visa for treatment of heroin addiction.{{sfn|Bockris|2003|p=261–263}} The charge against him was later reduced to "simple possession of heroin".{{sfn|Flippo|1985|p=134}}

For the next two years, Richards lived under threat of criminal sanction. Throughout this period he remained active with the Rolling Stones, recording their biggest-selling studio album, ''[[Some Girls]]'', and touring North America. Richards was tried in October 1978, pleading guilty to possession of heroin.{{sfn|Wyman|2002|p=453}}{{sfn|Flippo|1985|p=134–136}} He was given a suspended sentence and put on probation for one year, with orders to continue treatment for heroin addiction and to perform a benefit concert on behalf of the [[CNIB|Canadian National Institute for the Blind]] after a blind fan testified on his behalf.{{sfn|Flippo|1985|p=178}} Although the prosecution had filed an appeal of the sentence, Richards performed two CNIB benefit concerts at [[Oshawa Civic Auditorium]] on 22 April 1979; both shows featured the Rolling Stones and the New Barbarians.<ref name="circus79">{{cite news |title=Back Pages: Will Canada Get Its Pound of Flesh from Keith Richards? |last=O'Neill Jr |first=Lou |magazine=[[Circus (magazine)|Circus]] |date=29 May 1979}}</ref> In September 1979, the [[Court of Appeal for Ontario|Ontario Court of Appeal]] upheld the original sentence.<ref name="rvr518">Greenspan 1990. p. 518.{{full citation needed|date=June 2025}}</ref>

In 2016, he stated that he still occasionally drinks alcohol and consumes [[hashish]] and cannabis.<ref name="blue2016">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/inside-the-rolling-stones-new-album-blue-lonesome-w450645 |access-date=16 November 2016 |title=The Rolling Stones' New Blues: Inside Their Roots Revival, Bright Future |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=3 December 2016 |url-access=limited|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161117153836/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/inside-the-rolling-stones-new-album-blue-lonesome-w450645 |archive-date=17 November 2016}}</ref> In 2022, he revealed that he quit smoking in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://people.com/music/keith-richards-reveals-he-quit-smoking-now-has-more-stamina/ |title=Keith Richards Reveals He Quit Smoking, Now Has 'More Stamina': 'Just Put the Hammer on It' |date=15 March 2022 |access-date=3 March 2024 |website=People |last=DeSantis |first=Rachel}}</ref>

===Other details===
Richards owns [[Redlands, West Wittering|Redlands]], a Sussex estate he purchased in 1966, as well as homes in [[Weston, Connecticut]], and in the private resort island of [[Parrot Cay]], [[Turks and Caicos Islands|Turks & Caicos]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Malle |first1=Chloe |author-link=Chloe Malle |date=18 July 2012 |title=Anything Goes: Keith Richards and Patti Hansen |url=http://www.vogue.com/magazine/article/anything-goes-keith-richards-and-patti-hansen/#1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130720090826/http://www.vogue.com/magazine/article/anything-goes-keith-richards-and-patti-hansen/#1 |archive-date=20 July 2013 |work=[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]]}}</ref><ref name="uncut0408p38">{{cite news |title=Mick's a Maniac: Interview with Keith Richards |last=Mueller |first=Andrew |magazine=Uncut |date=April 2008 |page=38}}</ref> His primary home is in Weston.<ref name=keef>{{cite news |last=McNair |first=James |title=Keith Richards: Being, Keef |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/keith-richards-being-keef-503249.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205084007/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/keith-richards-being-keef-503249.html |archive-date=5 December 2008 |access-date=24 January 2011 |newspaper=The Independent |url-status=dead |date=20 August 2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2016/dirt/real-estalker/keith-richards-lists-new-york-city-penthouse-1201733991/ |title=Keith Richards Gets No Satisfaction From New York City Penthouse |last=David |first=Mark |date=18 March 2016 |website=Variety |access-date=29 May 2019}}</ref>{{sfn|Renzoni|2017|p=123}} In June 2013, Richards said that he would retire with his family to Parrot Cay or Jamaica if he knew his death was coming.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.torontosun.com/2013/06/12/keith-richards-plans-to-retire-in-the-caribbean |title=Keith Richards plans to retire in the Caribbean |date=17 June 2013 |newspaper=[[Toronto Sun]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090115035902/http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/soldonsong/songlibrary/indepth/satisfaction.shtml |archive-date=15 January 2009}}</ref> However, in November 2016, he said, "I'd like to croak magnificently, onstage."<ref name="blue2016"/> Richards is an avid reader with a strong interest in history, and owns an extensive library.<ref name="nrpb2006">{{cite news |last=Braun |first=Liz |title=Richards Turns a New Page |newspaper=Edmonton Sun |date=8 March 2008 |url=http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/R/Rolling_Stones/2008/03/08/4947636-sun.html |access-date=8 March 2008 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130615052444/http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/R/Rolling_Stones/2008/03/08/4947636-sun.html |archive-date=15 June 2013}}</ref>{{sfn|Ellis|Seebohm|Sykes|1995|pp=209–212}} An April 2010 article revealed that Richards yearns to be a librarian.<ref name="article7086815">{{cite news |title=It's only books 'n' shelves but I like it |url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article7086815.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100526165306/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article7086815.ece |archive-date=26 May 2010 |work=[[The Times]] |location=London |first=John |last=Harlow |date=4 April 2010 |access-date=27 October 2011}}</ref>

Richards is fond of [[shepherd's pie]], a British traditional dish.<ref name=":2">[https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/articles/464a1f09-2a03-48a3-a50d-faba53d5632d "8 pop stars and their strange food obsessions"],''BBC Music'',12/1/2017</ref> [[Stuart Cable]] recollected that while drummer for the [[Stereophonics]], he was confronted by Richards because he had served himself a piece of the shepherd's pie meant for Richards.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lyons |first1=Beverley |title=New book from former Stereophonics lifts lid on his pie-eyed tour with Rolling Stones |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/music/music-news/new-book-from-former-stereophonics-lifts-1017500 |access-date=31 January 2019 |work=Daily Record |date=6 April 2009}}</ref> The dish was also mentioned by Richards in his autobiography, advising readers to add more onions after cooking the meat filling to enhance the pie's flavour.<ref name=":2" />

==21st century==
On 27 April 2006, while in [[Fiji]], Richards slipped off the branch of a coconut tree and suffered a head injury. He subsequently underwent cranial surgery at a New Zealand hospital.<ref name="kiwi">{{cite news |title=Kiwi Doctor Rolls with the Stones |newspaper=Sunday Star Times |date=10 February 2008 |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4395738a1860.html |access-date=5 March 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090115035902/http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/soldonsong/songlibrary/indepth/satisfaction.shtml |archive-date=15 January 2009}}</ref> The incident delayed the Rolling Stones' 2006 European tour for six weeks and forced the band to reschedule several shows. The revised tour schedule included a brief statement from Richards apologising for "falling off my perch".<ref name="rspr060206">{{cite web |title=Keith Richards Is Given the All Clear to Get Back to Work As Stones Announce New Itinerary for European Shows|publisher=RollingStones.com |date=2 June 2006 |url=http://www.rollingstones.com/news/press.php?uid=550 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060619011026/http://www.rollingstones.com/news/press.php?uid=550 |archive-date=19 June 2006 |access-date=5 March 2008}}</ref> The band made up most of the postponed dates in 2006, and toured Europe in 2007 to make up the remainder. In a video message in late 2013 as part of the On Fire tour, Richards gave his thanks to the surgeons in New Zealand who treated him, remarking, "I left half my brain there."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/video.cfm?c_id=1501119&gal_cid=1501119&gallery_id=139548 |title=Keith Richards' message to NZ|date=5 December 2013 |newspaper=The New Zealand Herald |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090115035902/http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/soldonsong/songlibrary/indepth/satisfaction.shtml |archive-date=15 January 2009}}</ref>

In August 2006, Richards was granted a pardon by [[Arkansas]] governor [[Mike Huckabee]] for a 1975 reckless driving citation.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.arkansasnews.com/archive/2006/07/20/News/336946.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311021745/http://www.arkansasnews.com/archive/2006/07/20/News/336946.html |archive-date=11 March 2007 |title=Huckabee prepares pardon papers for rocker Keith Richards |publisher=Arkansas News Bureau |date=20 July 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14255893|title=Not My Job: Mike Huckabee (Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me!) |publisher=NPR |date=8 September 2007|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090702204509/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14255893|archive-date=2 July 2009}}</ref>

Actor [[Johnny Depp]] has stated that his character in the movie franchise ''[[Pirates of the Caribbean (film series)|Pirates of the Caribbean]]'' is loosely based on Richards and the [[Warner Bros.]] cartoon character [[Pepé Le Pew|Pepe Le Pew]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/07/11/a-conversation-with-johnny-depp |title=A Conversation with Johnny Depp |last=Zoromski |first=Michelle |date=11 July 2003 |website=IGN |access-date=18 September 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160726084921/http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/07/11/a-conversation-with-johnny-depp |archive-date=26 July 2016}}</ref> with both serving as the inspiration for the manner of the character.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/keith-richards-and-johnny-depp-blood-brothers-20070531|title=Keith Richards and Johnny Depp: Blood Brothers|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=18 September 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170617055352/http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/keith-richards-and-johnny-depp-blood-brothers-20070531|archive-date=17 June 2017|url-access=limited}}</ref> This combination of influences originally raised concerns with [[The Walt Disney Company|Disney]] corporate executives, who questioned if the character was supposed to be drunk and gay, with [[Michael Eisner]] fearing that he was "ruining the movie".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/nov/30/johnny-depp-jack-sparrow-disney |title=Disney bosses thought Jack Sparrow drunk or gay, says Johnny Depp |last=Shoard |first=Catherine |date=30 November 2010 |work=The Guardian |access-date=18 September 2017 |issn=0261-3077 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170626004501/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/nov/30/johnny-depp-jack-sparrow-disney |archive-date=26 June 2017}}</ref> In the third installment of the ''Pirates of the Caribbean'' series, ''[[Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End|At World's End]]'', Richards played [[Captain Teague|Captain Edward Teague]], later reprising the role in ''[[Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides]]'', the fourth film in the series (2011).<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nme.com/news/johnny-depp-sponged-from-keith-richards-for-pirate-873783|title=Johnny Depp 'sponged' from Keith Richards for 'Pirates Of The Caribbean'|date=13 May 2011|work=NME|access-date=18 September 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227155920/http://www.nme.com/news/johnny-depp-sponged-from-keith-richards-for-pirate-873783|archive-date=27 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/paul-mccartney-reveals-pirates-of-the-caribbean-character-w482204|title=Paul McCartney Reveals 'Pirates of the Caribbean' Character|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=18 September 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825212157/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/paul-mccartney-reveals-pirates-of-the-caribbean-character-w482204|archive-date=25 August 2017|url-access=limited}}</ref>

In 2012, Richards joined the 11th annual Independent Music Awards judging panel to assist independent musicians' careers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.independentmusicawards.com/ima/judges/11th-annual-ima-judges/ |title=11th Annual IMA Judges |publisher=Independentmusicawards.com |access-date=4 September 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826125846/http://www.independentmusicawards.com/ima/judges/11th-annual-ima-judges/ |archive-date=26 August 2013}}</ref>

In a 2015 interview with the [[Daily News (New York)|New York ''Daily News'']], Richards expressed his dislike for [[rap]] and [[hip hop]], deeming them for "tone deaf"<ref name="music.cbc.ca"/> people and consisting of "a drum beat and somebody yelling over it".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/sep/04/keith-richards-rap-tone-deaf-metallica-black-sabbath-jokes |title=Keith Richards: 'Rap showed there are tone-deaf people out there' |last=Mokoena |first=Tshepo |date=4 September 2015 |website=The Guardian |access-date=24 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/keith-richards-rap-is-for-tone-deaf-people-20150903 |title=Keith Richards: Rap Is for 'Tone-Deaf People' |magazine=Rolling Stone |last=Blistein |first=Jon |date=3 September 2015 |access-date=24 March 2018|url-access=limited}}</ref> In the same interview he called [[Metallica]] and [[Black Sabbath]] "great jokes" and bemoaned the lack of [[syncopation]] in most rock and roll, claiming it "sounds like a dull thud to me". He also said he stopped being a Beatles fan in 1967 when they visited the [[Maharishi Mahesh Yogi]],<ref name="nydailynews.com">{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/keith-richards-plenty-plenty-article-1.2346653 |title=Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards calls Metallica and Black Sabbath 'great jokes,' says rap is for 'tone-deaf people' in free-wheeling interview |date=3 September 2016 |last=Farber |first=Jim |newspaper=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]] |location=New York |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151225042230/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/keith-richards-plenty-plenty-article-1.2346653 |archive-date=25 December 2015}}</ref> but this did not prevent him from playing bass in John Lennon's pickup band The Dirty Mac for a performance of the Beatles' song "[[Yer Blues]]" in the Stones' ''Rock and Roll Circus'' in December 1968.

For the weekend of 23 September 2016, Richards, together with director [[Julien Temple]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07xmfdn |title=BBC Four – Keith Richards' Lost Weekend, Praise and Damnation |publisher=BBC |access-date=10 March 2019}}</ref> curated and hosted a three-night programme on [[BBC Four]] titled ''Lost Weekend''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/keith-richards-lost-weekend-playlist-761738 |title=Keith Richards' Lost Weekend Playlist |last=Daly |first=Rhian |date=23 September 2016 |website=NME |access-date=10 March 2019}}</ref> Richards's choices consisted of his favourite 1960s comedy shows, cartoons and thrillers, interspersed with interviews, rare musical performances and night imagery. This 'televisual journey' was the first of its kind on British TV. Temple also directed a documentary, ''The Origin of the Species'', about Richards's childhood in post-war England and his musical roots.

===Tributes for other artists===
[[File:Keith Richards on February 26 2012.jpg|thumb|Richards paying tribute to fellow musicians [[Chuck Berry]] and [[Leonard Cohen]] at the first annual PEN Awards in the [[John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum|JFK Presidential Library]] in [[Boston]], Massachusetts, 16 February 2012]]

From the start of his career, Richards has made appearances to pay tribute to those artists with whom he has formed friendships and those who have inspired and encouraged him. After the earliest success of the band, who played [[cover song]]s of American blues artists, while he and Jagger were just beginning their own songwriting, the Rolling Stones visited the States to pay back, in his words, "that's where that fame bit comes in handy". Since that time, he has performed on many occasions to show appreciation toward them. Among these, he has appeared with [[Norah Jones]] in a tribute concert for [[Gram Parsons]] in 2006, playing guitar and singing a duet, "[[Love Hurts]]". On 12 March 2007 Richards attended the [[Rock & Roll Hall of Fame]] ceremony to induct [[the Ronettes]]; he also played guitar during the ceremony's all-star jam session.<ref name="nzentgraf"/> On 26 February 2012 Richards paid tribute to fellow musicians [[Chuck Berry]] and [[Leonard Cohen]], who were the recipients of the first annual PEN Awards for songwriting excellence at the [[John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum|JFK Presidential Library]] in Boston, Massachusetts.<ref name="PEN Awards 2012">{{cite web |url=https://www.boston.com/Boston/names/2012/02/leonard-cohen-and-chuck-berry-celebrated-the-jfk-library/pme86jnpLDKP4XYIMJi3XN/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229224324/http://www.boston.com/Boston/names/2012/02/leonard-cohen-and-chuck-berry-celebrated-the-jfk-library/pme86jnpLDKP4XYIMJi3XN/index.html |archive-date=29 February 2012 |title=Leonard Cohen and Chuck Berry celebrated at the JFK Library |last=Shanahan |first=Mark |author2=Goldstein, Beth |date=26 February 2012 |work=[[The Boston Globe]] |access-date=1 March 2012}}</ref>

Richards is interviewed on screen and appears in performance footage in the 2005 documentary film ''[[Make It Funky (film)|Make It Funky!]]'', which presents a history of [[Music of New Orleans|New Orleans music]] and its influence on [[rhythm and blues]], [[Rock music|rock and roll]], [[funk]] and [[jazz]].<ref name="IAJE">{{cite journal |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=April 2005 |title=IAJE What's Going On |journal=Jazz Education Journal |location=Manhattan, Kansas |publisher=International Association of Jazz Educators |volume=37 |issue=5 |page=87 |issn=1540-2886 |id={{ProQuest|1370090}}}}</ref> In the film, Richards said that New Orleans musicians "put the roll into rock". He also performed the [[Fats Domino]] song "I'm Ready" with the house band.<ref>{{cite AV media |date=2005 |title=Make It Funky! |type=DVD |location=Culver City, CA |publisher=Sony Pictures Home Entertainment |id=11952 |isbn=9781404991583 |oclc=61207781}}</ref>

In an April 2007 interview for ''[[NME]]'' magazine, music journalist [[Mark Beaumont (journalist)|Mark Beaumont]] asked Richards what the strangest thing he ever snorted was,<ref name="uncut0707p55">{{cite news |title=Snortergate: The True Story (Interview with Mark Beaumont) |magazine=Uncut |date=September 2007 |page=55}}</ref> and quoted him as replying: "My father. I snorted my father. He was cremated and I couldn't resist grinding him up with a little bit of blow. My dad wouldn't have cared ... It went down pretty well, and I'm still alive."<ref name="nme030407">{{cite web |title=Exclusive: Keith Richards: 'I Snorted My Dad's Ashes' |work=NME |location=UK |date=3 April 2007 |url=https://www.nme.com/news/the-rolling-stones/27515 |access-date=4 April 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070406001626/http://www.nme.com/news/the-rolling-stones/27515 |archive-date=6 April 2007}}</ref><ref name="nme040407">{{cite web |title=Keith Richards: Read the Interview the World Is Talking About |work=NME |location=UK |date=4 April 2007 |url=https://www.nme.com/news/the-rolling-stones/27531 |access-date=4 April 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070406030024/http://www.nme.com/news/the-rolling-stones/27531 |archive-date=6 April 2007}}</ref> In the media uproar that followed, Richards's manager said that the anecdote had been meant as a joke;<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1556258/20070403/rolling_stones.jhtml |title=Did Keith Richards Really Snort His Dad's Ashes? No – It Was A Joke! |publisher=MTV |date=3 April 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080303162747/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1556258/20070403/rolling_stones.jhtml |archive-date=3 March 2008}}</ref> Beaumont told ''[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]'' magazine that the interview had been conducted by international telephone and that he had misquoted Richards at one point (reporting that Richards had said he listens to [[Motörhead]], when what he had said was [[Mozart]]), but that he believed the ash-snorting anecdote was true.<ref name="uncut0707p55"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Keith Richards: The Mojo Interview |last=Doyle |first=Tom |magazine=Mojo |publisher=EMAP Performance Ltd. |date=September 2007 |page=60}}</ref> Musician [[Jay Farrar]] from the band [[Son Volt]] wrote a song titled 'Cocaine And Ashes', which was inspired by Richards's drug habits.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.spinner.com/2009/06/03/son-volts-jay-farrar-inspired-by-keith-richards-drug-habits/ |title=Son Volt's Jay Farrar Inspired by Keith Richards' Drug Habits 'Spinner 2009 |publisher=Spinner |date=3 June 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523155304/http://www.spinner.com/2009/06/03/son-volts-jay-farrar-inspired-by-keith-richards-drug-habits/ |archive-date=23 May 2012}}</ref> The incident was also referenced in the 2017 song "Mr Charisma" by [[The Waterboys]], featuring the lyrics: "Hey Mr Charisma, what will your next trick be? Slagging [[Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band|Sgt Pepper]], snorting your old man's bones, or falling out of a tree?"

Doris Richards, his mother, died of cancer at the age of 91 in England on 21 April 2007. An official statement released by a family representative stated that Richards kept a vigil by her bedside during her last days.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rolling Stone Keith Richards' mother dies |date=24 April 2007 |publisher=ABC News |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200704/s1904912.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070629144944/http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200704/s1904912.htm |archive-date=29 June 2007 |access-date=24 April 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Keith Richards' Mum Dies |publisher=MTV Music Television |url=http://www.mtv.co.uk/channel/mtvuk/24042007/keith_richards_s_mum_dies |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012163033/http://www.mtv.co.uk/channel/mtvuk/24042007/keith_richards_s_mum_dies |archive-date=12 October 2007 |date=24 April 2007 |access-date=24 April 2007}}</ref>

Richards made a [[cameo appearance]] as Captain Teague, the father of Captain [[Jack Sparrow]] (played by Johnny Depp), in ''[[Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End]]'', released in May 2007,<ref name="bloodbrothers">{{cite magazine |last=Wild |first=Davido |title=Johnny Depp & Keith Richards: ''Pirates of the Caribbean''{{'}}s Blood Brothers |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=31 May 2007 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/johnny_depp__keith_richards_ipirates_of_the_caribbeanis_blood_brothers|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070705100841/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/johnny_depp__keith_richards_ipirates_of_the_caribbeanis_blood_brothers |archive-date=5 July 2007 |url-status=dead |access-date=6 March 2008|url-access=limited}}</ref> and won the Best Celebrity Cameo award at the 2007 Spike Horror Awards for the role.<ref name="rscom102407">{{cite web |title=Keith Wins Spike Award |publisher=RollingStones.com |date=24 October 2007 |url=http://www.rollingstones.com/news/news.php?uid=666 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227173430/http://www.rollingstones.com/news/news.php?uid=666 |archive-date=27 February 2008 |access-date=5 March 2008}}</ref>
Depp has stated that he based many of Sparrow's mannerisms on Richards.<ref name="bloodbrothers"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2006/10/30/cultura/1162212674.html |title=El retrato de Keith Richards que inspiró a Johnny Depp, expuesto en una galería de Londres |language=es |last=Mundinteractivos |date=31 October 2006 |work=El Mundo |location=Spain |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816091201/http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2006/10/30/cultura/1162212674.html |archive-date=16 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.paulkarslake.co.uk/archive/pirate-keith-richards/ |title=Pirate Keith Richards – Paul Karslake FRSA |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807030545/http://www.paulkarslake.co.uk/archive/pirate-keith-richards/ |archive-date=7 August 2016}}</ref> Richards reprised his role in ''[[Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides]]'', released in May 2011.

[[File:Keith Richards 2012-12-13 2.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.8|Richards with the Rolling Stones during the [[50 & Counting Tour]] in December 2012]]
In March 2008, the fashion house [[Louis Vuitton]] unveiled an advertising campaign featuring a photo of Richards with his ebony [[Gibson ES-355]], taken by photographer [[Annie Leibovitz]]. Richards donated the fee for his involvement to [[the Climate Project]], an organisation for raising environmental awareness.<ref name="vuitton">{{cite news |title=Keith Richards the New Face of Louis Vuitton |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=5 March 2008 |url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,26278,23322613-5007192,00.html |access-date=5 March 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080622155226/http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0%2C26278%2C23322613-5007192%2C00.html |archive-date=22 June 2008}}</ref>

On 28 October 2008, Richards appeared at the Musicians' Hall of Fame induction ceremony in [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]], [[Tennessee]], joining the newly inducted [[the Crickets]] on stage for performances of "[[Peggy Sue (song)|Peggy Sue]]", "[[Not Fade Away (song)|Not Fade Away]]", and "[[That'll Be the Day]]".<ref name="tennessean">{{cite news |title=Keith Richards, Percy Sledge, others honour new Musician Hall of Fame inductees |url=http://search.tennessean.com/sp?aff=1100&skin=100&keywords=Keith+Richards&x=4&y=15 |date=28 October 2008 |newspaper=The Tennessean |access-date=6 November 2008}}{{dead link|date=July 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref name="bbc-hof">{{cite news |title=Hall of Fame Honour for Booker T |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7697148.stm |date=29 October 2008 |work=BBC News |access-date=6 November 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081102075227/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7697148.stm |archive-date=2 November 2008}}</ref>

In August 2009, Richards was ranked at No. 4 in ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine's list of the 10 best electric guitar players of all time.<ref>{{cite web |author=Dave |url=http://www.fretbase.com/blog/2009/08/time-magazine-picks-the-10-best-electric-guitar-players-including-yngwie/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090827131228/http://www.fretbase.com/blog/2009/08/time-magazine-picks-the-10-best-electric-guitar-players-including-yngwie/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 August 2009 |title=Fretbase, ''Time'' Magazine Picks the 10 Best Electric Guitar Players |publisher=Fretbase.com |date=24 August 2009 |access-date=15 October 2010}}</ref> In September 2009 Richards told ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' magazine that in addition to anticipating a new Rolling Stones album, he had done some recording with [[Jack White (musician)|Jack White]]: "I enjoy working with Jack", he said. "We've done a couple of tracks."<ref name="r&rdaily">{{cite magazine |last=Greene |first=Andy |title=Keith Richards on Recording With Jack White, New Stones LP |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/09/02/keith-richards-on-recording-with-jack-white-new-rolling-stones-lp/ |date=2 September 2009 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=4 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090905033402/http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/09/02/keith-richards-on-recording-with-jack-white-new-rolling-stones-lp/ |archive-date=5 September 2009|url-access=limited}}</ref> On 17 October 2009 Richards received the Rock Immortal Award at [[Spike (TV channel)|Spike TV]]'s Scream 2009 awards ceremony at the [[Greek Theatre (Los Angeles)|Greek Theatre, Los Angeles]]; the award was presented by Johnny Depp.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.spike.com/blog/spike-tv-to-shine/88003 |title=Spike TV press release |publisher=Spike.com |date=15 October 2009 |access-date=15 October 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100110023525/http://www.spike.com/blog/spike-tv-to-shine/88003 |archive-date=10 January 2010}}</ref> "I liked the living legend, that was all right", Richards said, referring to an award he received in 1989,<ref name="livinglegend">{{cite web |title=The 1st International Rock Awards 1989 |url=http://waddywachtelinfo.com/InternationalRockAwards.html |publisher=waddywachtelinfo.com |access-date=19 October 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100131063910/http://waddywachtelinfo.com/InternationalRockAwards.html |archive-date=31 January 2010}}</ref> "but immortal is even better."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2009-10-18-scream-2009_N.htm |title=Depp, Richards Light Up Spike TV's 'Scream 2009 |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |last=Cohen |first=Sandy |agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=18 October 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090115035902/http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/soldonsong/songlibrary/indepth/satisfaction.shtml |archive-date=15 January 2009}}</ref>

In 2009, a book of Richards's quotations was published, titled ''What Would Keith Richards Do?: Daily Affirmations from a Rock 'n' Roll Survivor''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hernandez|first=Raoul|date=17 July 2009|access-date=11 October 2021|url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/music/2009-07-17/811400/|work=[[The Austin Chronicle]]|title=What Would Keith Richards Do?}}</ref>

In August 2007, Richards signed a publishing deal for his autobiography,<ref name="autobio">{{cite news |last=Rich |first=Motoko |title=A Rolling Stone Prepares to Gather His Memories |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=1 August 2007 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/01/books/01rich.html |access-date=6 March 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150605034201/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/01/books/01rich.html |archive-date=5 June 2015|url-access=limited}}</ref> ''[[Life (Keith Richards)|Life]]'', which was released on 26 October 2010.<ref name="life">{{cite magazine|last=Fricke|first=David|author-link=David Fricke|date=19 October 2010|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/keith-richards-on-brian-jones-mick-jagger-and-the-new-memoir-life-52581/|title=Keith Richards on Brian Jones, Mick Jagger and the New Memoir, 'Life'|url-access=limited|access-date=11 October 2021|magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref>

Richards appeared in the 2011 documentary ''Toots and the Maytals: Reggae Got Soul'', which was featured on the [[BBC]] and described as "the untold story of one of the most influential artists ever to come out of Jamaica".<ref name="bbc.co.uk">"Toots and the Maytals: Reggae Got Soul". BBC Four (documentary). Directed by George Scott. 2011. Retrieved 15 December 2016. {{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00ymljb |title=Toots and the Maytals: Reggae Got Soul |access-date=2 May 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160520172432/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00ymljb |archive-date=20 May 2016}}</ref><ref>Tootsandthemaytals. "Toots & The Maytals – Reggae Got Soul – Documentary Trailer." YouTube. 15 August 2013. 15 December 2016. {{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfiNMBhnd8w |title=Toots and the Maytals: Reggae Got Soul |website=[[YouTube]] |date=15 August 2013 |access-date=2 May 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511184707/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfiNMBhnd8w |archive-date=11 May 2017}}</ref>
{{clear}}

== Honours ==
In 2010, [[David Fricke]] of ''Rolling Stone'' magazine referred to Richards as the creator of "rock's greatest single body of riffs" on guitar,<ref>{{cite magazine | url= https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/100-greatest-guitarists-david-frickes-picks-146383/keith-richards-8-166058/ | title= 100 Greatest Guitarists: David Fricke's Picks | magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] | first=David | last=Fricke | date=3 December 2010 | access-date=11 August 2023}}</ref> and the magazine ranked him fourth on its list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time.<ref name=":3">{{cite magazine |date=22 November 2011 |title=Rolling Stone: 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time | magazine=Rolling Stone|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-guitarists-20111123/keith-richards-20111122 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107100725/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-guitarists-20111123/keith-richards-20111122 |archive-date=7 January 2014|url-access=limited}}</ref> ''Rolling Stone'' also lists fourteen songs he co-wrote with Jagger on its "[[500 Greatest Songs of All Time]]" list.<ref name="rs500">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/500songs |title=The RS 500 Greatest Songs of All Time |date=9 December 2004 |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070225151511/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/500songs |archive-date=25 February 2007 |url-status=dead |access-date=8 March 2008|url-access=limited}}</ref>

In 2023, [[Tom Waits]] honored his friend with a poem, "Burnt Toast To Keith".<ref>{{cite news| last=Bonner| first=Michael| title=Read Tom Waits' new poem to Keith Richards| date= 18 December 2023| work=Uncut}}</ref> That same year, Richards was honoured in Dartford with a statue.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sherwood |first=Harriet |date=9 August 2023 |title=Statues of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards unveiled in home town of Dartford|url=https://theguardian.com/music/2023/aug/09/statues-of-mick-jagger-and-keith-richards-unveiled-in-home-town-of-dartford |access-date=10 August 2023 |website=The Guardian}}</ref> In 2025, Richards was the first recipient of the Connecticut Governor’s Award of Excellence.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Collins |first=Dave |date=2025-03-06 |title=Keith Richards gets some satisfaction from new award honoring Connecticut residents |url=https://apnews.com/article/keith-richards-connecticut-governor-award-ecd217a5f64ed5cf848c425ee7955b88 |access-date=2025-03-07 |website=The Associated Press |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Musical equipment==
{{See also|Instruments played by the Rolling Stones}}

===Guitars===
[[File:Keith Richards Hannover 2006.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|Richards playing "Micawber", a 1953 [[Fender Telecaster]], in 2006]]

Richards has a collection of approximately 3,000 guitars.{{sfn|Miller|2010|p=85}} Even though he has used many different guitar models, Richards joked in a 1986 ''[[Guitar World]]'' interview that, no matter what model he plays, "[G]ive me five minutes and I'll make 'em all sound the same."<ref name="gw86"/> Richards has often thanked [[Leo Fender]], and other guitar manufacturers for making the instruments, as he did during the induction ceremony of the Rolling Stones into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
{| class="wikitable"
|+Guitars
!Type
!Notes
!Ref
|-
|[[Harmony Company|Harmony Meteor]]
|Richards's main guitar in the early years of the Rolling Stones. It was retired in 1964 when he acquired his Les Paul Standard.
|{{sfn|Bacon|2000|p=13}}
|-
|1959 [[Gibson Les Paul]] Standard
|Richards acquired this instrument, fitted with a Bigsby tailpiece, in 1964.<ref name="burrluck">{{cite journal|last=Burrluck|first=Dave|date=September 2007|title=The Keithburst Les Paul|journal=Guitarist Magazine|pages=55–58}}</ref> The guitar was the first "star-owned" Les Paul in Britain and served as one of Richards's main instruments through 1966.{{sfn|Bacon|2002|pp=38, 50, 123}} He later sold the guitar to future Rolling Stones bandmate Mick Taylor.<ref name="keithburst">{{cite web|title=Keith Richards 1959 Les Paul Standard|url=http://www.richardhenryguitars.com/keith.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116175843/http://richardhenryguitars.com/keith.aspx|archive-date=16 January 2009|access-date=8 January 2009|publisher=Richard Henry Guitars}}</ref> 
|
|-
|1961 [[Epiphone Casino]]
|Richards first used this instrument in May 1964, shortly before the Stones' first tour of North America. The guitar (along with the 1959 Les Paul Standard) was used frequently by Richards until 1966.
|<ref>{{cite web|title=Epiphone Casino Electric Guitar|url=http://www.vintageguitars.org.uk/EpiphoneCasino2.php|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709045055/http://www.vintageguitars.org.uk/EpiphoneCasino2.php|archive-date=9 July 2011|access-date=15 October 2010|publisher=Vintageguitars.org.uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=3 February 2012|title=Epiphone News: Rolling Stones at 50|url=http://www.epiphone.com/News/Features/News/2012/Rolling-Stones-at-50.aspx|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305030629/http://www.epiphone.com/News/Features/News/2012/Rolling-Stones-at-50.aspx|archive-date=5 March 2012|publisher=Epiphone.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Epiphone: 1961 50th Anniversary Casino|url=http://www.epiphone.com/Products/Archtop/1961-50th-Anniversary-Casino-TD.aspx|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120228150231/http://www.epiphone.com/Products/Archtop/1961-50th-Anniversary-Casino-TD.aspx|archive-date=28 February 2012|publisher=Epiphone.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Epiphone Casino|url=http://www.epiphone.com/Products/Archtop/Casino.aspx|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120215173340/http://www.epiphone.com/Products/Archtop/Casino.aspx|archive-date=15 February 2012|publisher=Epiphone.com}}</ref>
|-
|1965 [[Gibson Firebird]] VII
|During the mid-1960s Richards and Brian Jones were often seen with matching Firebird VIIs in vintage sunburst.
|<ref>{{cite web|title=9 Guitars Keith Richards Played That Definitely WEREN'T Telecasters|url=https://sonicstate.com/amped/2014/06/24/keith-richards-guitars-played-gibson-fender/9/|work=Sonicstate.com}}</ref>
|-
|1957 Gibson Les Paul Custom
|In 1966 Richards acquired a 1957 Les Paul Custom,<ref name="sullivanrs0966">{{cite episode|title=The Ed Sullivan Show|airdate=11 September 1966|series=20|number=884}}</ref> and hand-painted it with psychedelic patterns in 1968. It served as his main stage and studio guitar from 1966 through the end of the Rolling Stones' 1971 UK tour. The guitar was probably stolen during the [[Nellcôte]] burglary in July 1971, and ended up in the hands of a collector in the mid-1990s.{{Citation needed|date=October 2021}}
|
|-
|1950s Gibson Les Paul Custom "Black Beauty"
|He acquired a second late 1950s Gibson Les Paul Custom "Black Beauty" in 1969 to use in open-G tuning on the 1969 and 1970 tour.<ref name="Sonic">{{cite web|title=9 Guitars Keith Richards Played That Definitely WEREN'T Telecasters|url=https://sonicstate.com/amped/2014/06/24/keith-richards-guitars-played-gibson-fender/8/|work=Sonicstate.com}}</ref>
|
|-
|[[Gibson ES-355]]s
|Richards used this semi-hollow model on stage during the Rolling Stones' 1969 tour;<ref name="yayasdeluxe">{{cite video|title=Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out (re-release)|people=The Rolling Stones|medium=DVD released 2009|publisher=ABKCO|year=1969}}</ref> it was a favourite for both Richards and Taylor during recording sessions for ''[[Sticky Fingers]]'' and ''[[Exile on Main St.]]''. Richards has used ES-355s on every tour since 1997. In 2006, he also unveiled a white Gibson ES-345.<ref name="babylon">{{cite video|title=Bridges to Babylon|people=The Rolling Stones|medium=DVD released 1999|publisher=Warner Home Video|year=1997}}</ref><ref name="biggestbang">{{cite video|title=The Biggest Bang|date=June 2005|people=The Rolling Stones|medium=DVD released 2007|publisher=Universal Music Operations}}</ref>
|
|-
|Gibson Les Paul Juniors
|Richards has regularly used both single-cutaway and double-cutaway Juniors since 1973. The one he is most frequently seen with is a TV-yellow double-cutaway instrument nicknamed "Dice", which he has used since 1979. On recent tours he has used this guitar for "[[Midnight Rambler]]" and "[[Out of Control (The Rolling Stones song)|Out of Control]]".
|<ref>{{cite web|last=Leonard|first=Michael|date=12 July 2012|title=Satisfaction Guaranteed: Keith Richards' Favorite Gibsons|url=http://www.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/Features/en-us/keith-richards-0502-2011.aspx|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161213213223/http://www.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/Features/en-us/keith-richards-0502-2011.aspx|archive-date=13 December 2016|access-date=18 September 2017|website=Gibson.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Drozdowski|first=Ted|date=18 May 2010|title=Exile Week: Exile on Main Street and the Gibson Les Paul Standard Dynasty of Keith Richards and Mick Taylor|url=http://www.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/Features/en-us/rolling-stones-0518.aspx|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130131220212/http://www2.gibson.com/news-lifestyle/features/en-us/rolling-stones-0518.aspx|archive-date=31 January 2013|access-date=18 September 2017|website=Gibson.com}}</ref>
|-
|1953 [[Fender Telecaster]]
|The guitar most associated with Richards, he acquired this butterscotch Telecaster in 1971. Nicknamed "[[Wilkins Micawber|Micawber]]", after a character in [[Charles Dickens]]' novel ''[[David Copperfield (novel)|David Copperfield]]'',{{sfn|Hunter|2012|p=141}} it is set up for five-string open-G tuning (-GDGBD), and has an aftermarket bridge made of brass, with individual saddles rather than the three the original bridge would have had. Richards has removed the saddle for the low string.{{sfn|Hunter|2012|p=141}} The neck pick-up has been replaced by Ted Newman Jones with a [[PAF (pickup)|Gibson PAF humbucking pick-up]], and the bridge pick-up has been replaced by a Fender [[lap steel]] pick-up (similar to a [[Fender Broadcaster]] pick-up). "Micawber" is one of Richards's main stage guitars, and is often used to play "Brown Sugar", "[[Before They Make Me Run]]", and "[[Honky Tonk Women]]".<ref name="uberproaudio.com">{{cite web|title=Rolling Stones – Keith Richards Guitar Gear Rig and Equipment|url=http://www.uberproaudio.com/content/view/121/38/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091208180150/http://www.uberproaudio.com/content/view/121/38|archive-date=8 December 2009}}</ref>
|
|-
|1954 Fender Telecaster
|A second Telecaster, also set up by Ted Newman Jones, nicknamed both "Malcolm" and "Number 2". It is also modified for 5-string open-G tuning with the same bridge setup as Micawber and has a Gibson PAF pick-up in the neck position. It has a natural finish, and the wood grain is visible.
|<ref name="uberproaudio.com" />
|-
|1967 Fender Telecaster
|This third Telecaster used for five-string open-G playing is a dark sunburst model, which is also fitted with a Gibson PAF pick-up. The PAF on this guitar has had its cover removed, exposing the bobbins.<ref name="uberproaudio.com" /> Richards has used this guitar on stage for many songs, including "[[You Can't Always Get What You Want]]" and "[[Tumbling Dice]]".<ref>{{cite web|title=Keith Richards's Gear List: Fender Telecaster (Duplicate)|url=https://equipboard.com/pros/keith-richards/fender-telecaster-duplicate|work=Equipboard.com}}</ref>
|
|-
|1958 [[Fender Stratocaster]]
|Fellow Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood gave Richards his 1958 Mary Kaye Signature Stratocaster after the band's 1982 tour. The guitar is finished in see-through blond and fitted with gold hardware.<ref name="uberproaudio.com" /> Richards has used this guitar onstage for "You Don't Have to Mean It" and "[[Miss You (The Rolling Stones song)|Miss You]]".{{Citation needed|date=October 2021}}
|
|-
|1975 [[Fender Telecaster Custom]]
|Richards first used this guitar on the Rolling Stones' 1975 [[Rolling Stones Tour of the Americas '75|Tour of the Americas]], and it was his main stage and recording guitar until 1986. It was later adapted for five-string open-G tuning, and reappeared on stage in 2005.
|<ref>{{cite web|title=Keith Richards's Gear List: Fender Telecaster Custom|url=https://equipboard.com/pros/keith-richards/fender-1975-telecaster-custom|work=Equipboard.com}}</ref>
|-
|Ampeg [[Dan Armstrong]] plexiglas guitar
|This Dan Armstrong guitar was given to Richards during rehearsals for the 1969 tour<ref>{{cite web|title=Through The Years, Clearly: Dan Armstrong Series|url=http://www.ampeg.com/clearlyDanA.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326140928/http://www.ampeg.com/clearlyDanA.html|archive-date=26 March 2012|access-date=23 March 2012|publisher=Ampeg}}</ref> and became one of his main stage and studio guitars until it was stolen during the [[Nellcôte]] burglary in July 1971. For the 1972 tour, he purchased two new Dan Armstrong guitars, which he only used during the first couple of shows. Fitted with a custom-made "sustained treble" humbucker pick-up, he used the guitar mainly in standard tuning. It can be heard on "Carol", "Sympathy for the Devil", and "Midnight Rambler" on ''[[Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out]]''. On the 1970 tour Richards added a second Dan Armstrong guitar fitted with a "rock treble" pick-up.{{Citation needed|date=October 2021}}
|
|-
|[[Gibson Hummingbird]]
|Played since the late 1960s.
|<ref>{{cite web|date=20 June 2014|title=Keith Richards' Guitars and Gear|url=http://www.groundguitar.com/keith-richards-guitars-and-gear/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919213157/http://www.groundguitar.com/keith-richards-guitars-and-gear/|archive-date=19 September 2015|access-date=18 September 2015|publisher=GroundGuitar}}</ref>
|-
|[[Zemaitis Guitars|Zemaitis]] Five-String
|Custom-made in 1974 by British [[luthier]] [[Tony Zemaitis]], the guitar nicknamed both "Macabre" and "the Pirate Zemaitis" was decorated with skulls, a pistol, and a dagger. Richards used it as his main open-G guitar from 1975 to 1978, when it was destroyed in a fire at his rented Los Angeles home. Richards used a Japanese-made replica on the 2005–2006 tour.
|<ref>{{cite web|title=Precious metal: the history of Zemaitis guitars|url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/precious-metal-the-history-of-zemaitis-guitars-643347|work=MusicRadar|date=18 October 2016 }}</ref>
|-
|Newman-Jones custom guitars
|Texas luthier Ted Newman-Jones made several custom five-string instruments that Richards used on the 1973 tours of [[Australasia]] and Europe. Richards used another Newman-Jones custom model on the 1979 New Barbarians tour.
|<ref>{{cite magazine|date=28 December 1989|title=Untitled|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bSQEAAAAMBAJ&q=Newman+jones+guitars&pg=PT75|magazine=Billboard}}</ref>
|}

===Amplifiers===
Richards's amplifier preferences have changed repeatedly. However, he is a long-time proponent of using low-powered amps in the studio. He achieves  clarity plus [[distortion]] by using two amps: a larger one (such as a [[Fender Twin]]) which runs clean, along with a [[Fender Champ]], which is overdriven.{{sfn|Egan|2013|p=232}} To record "Crosseyed Heart", Richards used a stock tweed Fender Champ with 8" speaker coupled with a modified [[Fender Harvard]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/keith-richards-guitar-tech-reveals-keefs-studio-rig/25729 |title=Keith Richards' Guitar Tech Reveals Keef's Studio Rig |last=di Perna |first=Alan |magazine=Guitar World |date=29 October 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208054858/http://www.guitarworld.com/keith-richards-guitar-tech-reveals-keefs-studio-rig/25729 |archive-date=8 December 2015}}</ref>

Some of his notable amplifiers are:
*[[Mesa Boogie|Mesa/Boogie]] Mark 1 A804{{snd}}Used between 1977 and 1993, this 100-watt 1x12" combo is finished in hardwood with a wicker grille. It can be heard on the Rolling Stones albums ''[[Love You Live]]'', ''[[Some Girls]]'', ''[[Emotional Rescue]]'', and ''[[Tattoo You]]'', as well as on Richards's two solo albums, ''[[Talk is Cheap]]'' and ''Main Offender''. This amplifier was handcrafted by Randall Smith and delivered to Richards in March 1977.<ref name=mocambo>{{cite web |title=Keef's '77&nbsp;Mar&nbsp;k 1 El Mocambo Boogie |url=http://homepage.mac.com/mesaboogie/Keef/Keef%20Boogie.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081230141011/http://homepage.mac.com/mesaboogie/Keef/Keef%20Boogie.html |archive-date=30 December 2008}}</ref>
*Fender Twin{{snd}}Since the 1990s, Richards has tended to use a variety of Fender "tweed" Twins on stage. Containing a pair of 12" speakers, the Fender Twin was, by 1958, an 80-watt all-tube guitar amplifier. Richards has utilised a pair of Fender Twins "to achieve his signature clean/dirty rhythm and lead sound."<ref>{{cite web |title=1958 Fender Strat & 1959 Fender Twin |url=http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2009/Nov/1958_Fender_Strat_1959_Fender_Twin.aspx |website=Premierguitar.com |access-date=11 December 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091222235715/http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2009/Nov/1958_Fender_Strat_1959_Fender_Twin.aspx |archive-date=22 December 2009}}</ref>
*[[Fender Showman|Fender Dual Showman]]{{snd}}First acquired in 1964. Richards made frequent use of his blackface Dual Showman amp through mid-1966. Used to record ''[[The Rolling Stones, Now!]]'', ''[[Out of Our Heads]]'', ''[[December's Children]]'', and ''[[Aftermath (Rolling Stones album)|Aftermath]]'' before switching over to various prototype amplifiers from [[Vox (musical equipment)|Vox]] in 1967 and the fairly new [[Hiwatt]] in 1968.<ref name=Amps>{{cite web |url=https://equipboard.com/pros/keith-richards?page=2 |title=Keith Richards's Guitars and Amps |work=Equipboard.com}}</ref>
*Ampeg SVT{{snd}}With 350 watts, the Ampeg SVT amp's midrange control, midrange shift switch, input pads, treble control with bright switch shaped the guitar sound of 1970s live Stones. Used live by the Stones for guitar, bass, and organ (Leslie) from 1969 to 1978. For a brief period in 1972 and 1973, Ampeg V4 and VT40 amps shared duties in the studio with Fender Twin and Deluxe Reverb amps.<ref name=Amps/>

===Effects===
[[File:KeithR2.JPG|thumb|Richards during the Rolling Stones [[Voodoo Lounge Tour|Voodoo Lounge World Tour]], Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 1995]]

In 1965, Richards used a Gibson Maestro [[Distortion (music)|fuzzbox]] to achieve the distinctive tone of his riff on "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction";<ref name="bosso06">{{cite news |last=Bosso |first=Joe |title=No Stone Unturned |magazine=Guitar Legends: The Rolling Stones |page=12 |year=2006}}</ref> the success of the resulting single boosted the sales of the device to the extent that all available stock had sold out by the end of 1965.<ref name="bbc-soldonsong">{{cite web |title=Sold on Song: (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction |publisher=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/soldonsong/songlibrary/indepth/satisfaction.shtml |access-date=9 March 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090115035902/http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/soldonsong/songlibrary/indepth/satisfaction.shtml |archive-date=15 January 2009 }}</ref> In the 1970s and early 1980s Richards frequently used guitar effects such as a [[wah-wah pedal]], a [[phaser (effect)|phaser]], and a [[Leslie speaker]],{{sfn|Dalton|1981|p=163}} but he has mainly relied on combining "the right amp with the right guitar" to achieve the sound he wants.<ref name="guitarplayer1289">{{Cite news |last=Wheeler |first=Tom |title=Keith Richards: Not Fade Away |magazine=Guitar Player |publisher=New Bay Media LLC |date=December 1989}}</ref>

==Discography==
{{main|Keith Richards discography}}

* ''[[Talk Is Cheap]]'' (1988)
* ''[[Main Offender]]'' (1992)
* ''[[Crosseyed Heart]]'' (2015)

== Filmography ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
| 1969
| ''[[Man on Horseback]]''
|Soldier
|
|-
| 2002
| ''[[The Simpsons]]''
|Himself
|"[[How I Spent My Strummer Vacation]]" (voice)
|-
| 2007
| ''[[Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End]]''
|[[Captain Teague]]
|Awarded—[[Scream Awards|Scream Award]] for Best Cameo
|-
| 2007
| ''Keith Richards: Under Review''
| Himself
| Appeared on archive footage<ref>{{cite web |title=Keith Richards: Under Review |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1344731/ |website=[[IMDb]] |access-date=20 February 2025}}</ref>
|-
| 2011
| ''[[Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides]]''
|Captain Teague
|Nominated—[[Scream Awards|Scream Award]] for Best Cameo<br>Nominated—[[38th People's Choice Awards|People's Choice Award]] for Favorite Ensemble Movie Cast
|-
|2011
|''[[Toots and the Maytals#2010s|Toots and the Maytals: Reggae Got Soul]]''
|Himself
|Documentary<ref name="bbc.co.uk"/>
|-
| 2012
| ''Rolling Stones: One More Shot''
| Himself
| TV movie
|-
| 2015
| ''Keith Richards: Under the Influence''
|Himself
| TV movie
|- 
|2023
| ''The Session Man''
|Himself
| Documentary<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.culturesonar.com/nicky-hopkins-is-the-session-man/|title=Nicky Hopkins Is "The Session Man"|last=Hughes|first=Amy|work=Culture Sonar|date=6 July 2024|access-date=6 August 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1135 |title = The Session Man| website=[[IMDb]] }}</ref>
|-
|}

==Bibliography==
* 2010: ''[[Life (Keith Richards)|Life]]''
* 2014: ''[[Gus & Me]]: The Story of My Granddad and My First Guitar''

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=nb}}

==References==
===Citations===
{{reflist}}

===Works cited===
{{Refbegin|2}}
*{{cite book |last=Appleford |first=Steve |title=The Rolling Stones: Rip This Joint: The Story Behind Every Song |publisher=Thunder's Mouth Press |year=2000 |isbn=1-56025-281-2}}
*{{cite book |last=Bacon |first=Tony |date=2000 |title=Fuzz & Feedback: Classic Guitar Music of the '60s |publisher=Miller Freeman Books |page=13 |isbn=0-87930-612-2 }}
*{{cite book |last=Bacon |first=Tony |title=50 Years of the Gibson Les Paul |publisher=Backbeat |url=http://members.tripod.com/blue_lena/guitar2.htmlt |year=2002 |isbn=0-87930-711-0 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090115035902/http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/soldonsong/songlibrary/indepth/satisfaction.shtml |archive-date=15 January 2009}}
*{{cite book |last=Bockris |first=Victor |title=Keith Richards: The Biography |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=P_lzbHj_jS0C |publisher=[[Da Capo Press]] |isbn=0-306-81278-9 |year=2003 |edition=2nd |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226230807/https://books.google.com/books?id=P_lzbHj_jS0C |archive-date=26 February 2017}}
*{{cite book |last=Booth |first=Stanley |title=Keith: Till I Roll Over Dead |publisher=Headline Book Publishing |year=1994 |isbn=0-7472-0770-4}}
*{{cite book |last=Booth |first=Stanley |title=The True Adventures of the Rolling Stones |publisher=A Capella Books |year=2000 |isbn=1-55652-400-5 |url=https://archive.org/details/trueadventuresof00boot |edition=second}}
*{{cite book |last=Christgau |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Christgau |editor1-first=Anthony |editor1-last=Decurtis |editor1-link=Anthony DeCurtis |editor2-first=James |editor2-last=Henke |title=The Rolling Stone Illustrated History of Rock and Roll: The Definitive History of the Most Important Artists and Their Music |publisher=Random House |year=1988 |location=New York |isbn=0-679-73728-6 |pages=60–66 |chapter=Chuck Berry}}
*{{cite book |last=Dalton |first=David |title=The Rolling Stones: The First Twenty Years |publisher=Alfred A. Knopf |year=1981 |isbn=0-394-52427-6 |page=163}}
* {{cite book|last=Davis|first=Stephen|author-link=Stephen Davis (music journalist)|year=2001|title=Old Gods Almost Dead: The 40-Year Odyssey of the Rolling Stones|publisher=Broadway Books|location=New York City|isbn=0-7679-0312-9|url=https://archive.org/details/oldgodsalmostdea00step|url-access=registration}}
* {{cite book |last1=Egan |first1=Sean |title=The Rough Guide to the Rolling Stones |date=2006 |publisher=[[Rough Guides]] |location=New York City |isbn=978-1-84353-719-9 |url=https://archive.org/details/roughguidetoroll0000egan|url-access=registration}}
*{{cite book |last=Egan |first=Sean |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aZxuAAAAQBAJ&pg=PT232 |title=Keith Richards on Keith Richards: Interviews and Encounters |date=1 September 2013 |publisher=Chicago Review Press |isbn=9781613747919 |via=Google Books |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430110707/https://books.google.com/books?id=aZxuAAAAQBAJ&lpg=PT232&pg=PT232 |archive-date=30 April 2016}}
*{{cite book |last=Elliott |first=Martin |title= The Rolling Stones: Complete Recording Sessions 1962–2002 |publisher=Cherry Red Books |year=2002 |isbn=1-901447-04-9}}
*{{cite book |last1=Ellis|first1=Estelle|last2=Seebohm|first2=Carol|last3=Sykes|first3=Christopher Simon|title=At Home with Books: How Booklovers Live with and Care for Their Libraries |publisher=Clarkson Potter |year=1995 |isbn=0-517-59500-1}}
*{{cite book |last=Flippo |first=Chet |title=On the Road with the Rolling Stones |publisher=Doubleday/Dolphin |year=1985 |isbn=0-385-19374-2}}
*{{cite book |last=Hunter |first=Dave |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7sFrOQv9I5kC&pg=PA141 |title=The Fender Telecaster: The Life and Times of the Electric Guitar That Changed the World |date=15 October 2012 |publisher=Voyageur Press |isbn=9780760341384 |via=Google Books |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160428092527/https://books.google.com/books?id=7sFrOQv9I5kC&lpg=PA141&ots=hl3NEecJzG&pg=PA141 |archive-date=28 April 2016}}
*{{cite book |last1=Jagger |first1=Mick |last2=Richards |first2=Keith |last3=Watts |first3=Charlie |last4=Wood |first4=Ronnie |title=According to the Rolling Stones |publisher=Chronicle Books |date=2003 |isbn=0-8118-4060-3 |url=https://archive.org/details/accordingtorolli00jagg}}
* {{cite book |last1=Jucha |first1=Gary J. |title=Rolling Stones FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the Bad Boys of Rock |date=2019 |publisher=[[Rowman & Littlefield]] |location=Lanham, Maryland |isbn=978-1-4930-5074-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WLEjEAAAQBAJ}}
*{{cite book |last=Loewenstein |first=Prince Rupert |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-p9dAgAAQBAJ&q=rolling+stones+records+%C2%A0Kracker&pg=PA138 |title=A Prince Among Stones: That Business with the Rolling Stones and Other Adventures |date=2014 |publisher=[[A & C Black]] |isbn=9781408831342}}
*{{cite book |last=Miller |first=Heather |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t-L6dtgKmFoC&q=Richards+has+a+collection+of+approximately+3,000+guitars&pg=PT85 |title=The Rolling Stones: The Greatest Rock Band |date=1 September 2010 |publisher=Enslow Publishers, Inc. |isbn=9780766032316}}
*{{cite book |last=Oldham |first=Andrew Loog |title=Stoned |publisher=St. Martin's Griffin |year=2000 |isbn=0-312-27094-1}}
*{{cite book |last=Paytress |first=Mark |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F3blvuxKlxMC&q=rolling+stones+records+%C2%A0Kracker&pg=PT316|title=Rolling Stones: Off The Record: Off the Record |date=15 December 2009 |publisher=Omnibus Press |isbn=9780857121134}}
*{{cite book |last=St. Michael |first=Mick |title=In His Own Words: Keith Richards |publisher=Omnibus Press |year=1994 |isbn=0-7119-3634-X}}
*{{cite book |last=Rej |first=Bent |date=2006 |title=The Rolling Stones: in the beginning |location=Great Britain |publisher=Firefly Books Ltd |isbn=978-1-55407-230-9}}
*{{cite book |last=Renzoni |first=Tony |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OW8uDwAAQBAJ&q=keith+richards+primary+residence&pg=PA123|title=Connecticut Rock 'n' Roll: A History |date=2017 |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |isbn=9781625858801}}
*{{cite book |last1=Richards|first1=Keith |last2=Fox|first2=James|author2-link=James Fox (journalist)|title=Life |date=26 October 2010 |publisher=[[Back Bay Books]] |isbn=978-0316034418}}
* {{cite book |last1=Salewicz |first1=Chris |author1-link=Chris Salewicz |title=Mick & Keith |date=2001 |publisher=[[Orion Publishing Group|Orion]] |location=London |isbn=978-0-7528-1858-0 |url=https://archive.org/details/mickkeith0000sale/ |url-access=registration}}
*{{cite book |last=Thompson |first=Dave |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LzzCw6xs9roC&q=rolling+stones+records+%C2%A0Kracker&pg=PA130 |title=Smoke on the Water: The Deep Purple Story |date=2004 |publisher=ECW Press |isbn=9781550226188}}
*{{cite book |last=Wyman |first=Bill |title=Rolling With the Stones |publisher=DK Publishing |year=2002 |isbn=0-7894-9998-3}}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links|Keith Richards}}
* {{official website}}
* {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p118384}}
* {{IMDb name|724189}}
* {{National Public Radio|130722581}} in 2010
* {{Shof|id=113|name=Keith Richards}}
* CBC Archives Richards's trial and sentencing in [http://archives.cbc.ca/IDC-1-68-355-1947-10/arts_entertainment/keith_richards_heroin/ 24 October 1978] and [http://archives.cbc.ca/IDC-1-68-832-4891/arts_entertainment/rolling_stones/clip6 16 April 1979]

{{Keith Richards}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Richards, Keith}}
[[Category:Keith Richards| ]]
[[Category:1943 births]]
[[Category:20th-century English guitarists]]
[[Category:20th-century English male singers]]
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[[Category:21st-century English singer-songwriters]]
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[[Category:English autobiographers]]
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[[Category:The Dirty Mac members]]
[[Category:The Rolling Stones members]]
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[[Category:English expatriate musicians in the United States]]
[[Category:English male film actors]]
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[[Category:Electric guitarists]]