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Keith Richards

Kirsty Young talks to Keith Richards - guitarist, songwriter and member of the Rolling Stones.

Keith Richards, member of the Rolling Stones, is interviewed by Kirsty Young for Desert Island Discs.

Keith was born in Dartford and grew up as an only child. He and Mick Jagger went to the same primary school, but then lost touch until meeting again at Dartford train station in 1961 and discovering they shared a taste in blues music. Keith picked up his love of the guitar from his grandfather and honed his skills whilst at art college.

If one single, living person could be said to personify rock n' roll then it is surely him. He's been making music and causing havoc for over half a century and counting. His song writing, singing and guitar playing have helped to make The Rolling Stones a stratospherically successful group and his early and single minded dedication to the triumvirate pursuits of sex and drugs and rock and roll made him a counter-culture icon.

No surprise then that as a boy he would go to sleep at night with his arm around his first guitar.

Producer: Sarah Taylor.

Available now

35 minutes

Last on

Fri 30 Oct 2015 09:00
BBC Radio 4

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Clips

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Music Played

  • Chuck Berry

    Wee Wee Hours

    • The Best of Chuck Berry.
    • MUSIC CLUB.

  • Hank Williams

    You Win Again

    • Cheating Hearts hank Williams.
    • SPECTRUM.

  • Aaron Neville

    My True Story

    • My True Story.
    • EMI.

  • Etta James

    Sugar on the Floor

    • Etta James: Deep In The Night.
    • BULLSEYE BLUES.

  • Freddie Scott

    Are You Lonely For Me Baby

    • Freddie Scott - Are You Lonely For Me Baby / The Love of My Woman.
    • JAYBOY.

  • CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE

    • Gregory Isaacs

      Extra Classic

      • Gregory Issacs: Extra Classic.
      • TROJAN.

  • Antonio Vivaldi

    Concerto No. 1 in E 'la primavera' (The 1st Movement from Spring)

    Performer: Nigel Kennedy. Performer: English Chamber Orchestra.
    • Vivaldi: The Four Seasons.
    • EMI.

  • Little Walter

    Key To The Highway

    • Little Walter: Hate To See You Go.
    • CHESS.

  • BOOK CHOICE

    Doctor Dogbody's Leg by James Norman Hall

  • LUXURY ITEM

    Machete

Credits

Presenter Kirsty Young
Interviewed Guest Keith Richards
Producer Sarah Taylor

Broadcasts

  • Sun 25 Oct 2015 11:15
    BBC Radio 4 FM
  • Fri 30 Oct 2015 09:00
    BBC Radio 4

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