Keith Richards, the legendary guitarist of The Rolling Stones, is celebrating his 80th birthday today. The rock ‘n roll icon, who has been defying the odds for decades, is still going strong and showing no signs of slowing down.
Richards, who once famously said he wanted to see how long he could keep playing, is the most enthusiastic original member of The Rolling Stones, the band he co-founded with Mick Jagger in 1962. The Stones have been one of the most influential and successful rock bands in history, with over 250 million albums sold worldwide and countless hits such as "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction", "Sympathy for the Devil", and "Start Me Up".
Richards, who has been nicknamed "Keef" by his fans, is widely regarded as one of the greatest guitarists of all time, with a distinctive style that blends blues, rock, and country influences. He is also a prolific songwriter, having co-written most of the Stones' songs with Jagger, as well as releasing solo albums and collaborating with other artists such as Eric Clapton, Tom Waits, and Norah Jones.
Richards' life has been marked by both highs and lows, as he has battled with drug addiction, legal troubles, health issues, and personal tragedies. He has also been the subject of many jokes and myths, such as the one that he snorted his father's ashes or that he had a blood transfusion to clean his system. Comedian Bill Hicks once said, "Keith Richards is shooting heroin into his eyeballs and still touring all right! I'm getting mixed signals! I picture nuclear war and two things surviving: Keith and cockroaches!"
However, Richards has managed to overcome his demons and reinvent himself as a sober, devoted, and happy family man. He married model Patti Hansen on his 40th birthday in 1983 in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, with Jagger as his best man. It was his first and only marriage, and they have two daughters, Theodora and Alexandra. Richards also has three other children from previous relationships: Marlon, Angela, and Tara, who died as an infant.
Richards credits his wife and children for saving his life and giving him a new purpose. He also cut out the heroin, cigarettes, and cut down on the drinking, although he still enjoys a glass of wine or a margarita occasionally. He says he feels healthier and happier than ever, and that music is still his passion and joy.
In a recent audio interview, Richards reflected on his long and illustrious career, saying, "After doing it for this long, it is a way of life. It's one of the better ways to spend your life. Just giving some people some good time. They've given us their support all of these years and say, 'Hey you guys, you go ahead and do this, we kind of like it. Even though you're overpaid and all of that stuff.'"
Richards' birthday coincides with his 40th wedding anniversary, which he plans to celebrate with his wife and family in Cabo San Lucas, the place where he tied the knot and where he still owns a home. He also has a special connection to the Mexican resort town, as it was his wedding that inspired another rock star, Sammy Hagar, to move there and open his famous Cabo Wabo Cantina.
Richards, who has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, once as a member of The Rolling Stones and once as a solo artist, shows no signs of retiring anytime soon. He says he still loves playing with his bandmates, who are also in their 70s and 80s, and that he hopes to tour again once the pandemic is over. He says he has no regrets and that he is grateful for his life and legacy.
He says, "I've had a wonderful life. I've done what I wanted to do. I've made some people happy along the way. I've made some great music. I've had some great friends. I've had some great lovers. I've had some great kids. I've had some great times. What more can you ask for?"
[Source: Classic Hits Today]