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Monday's Connector: Keith Richards
Rock musician Keith Richards is part of one of the most recognizable bands on the planet - "The Rolling Stones."
The English guitarist was one of the founding members of the band and went on to write and record hundreds of songs, many of which have gone on to become classics.
Born in 1943 in Dartford, Kent, Richards was influenced by the music of Billie Holiday and Duke Ellington as a child and quickly found himself learning to play the guitar.
Richards first met fellow "Rolling Stones" band mate Mick Jagger while attending the same primary school, but it wasn't until a chance encounter a few years later that the two started talking about music.
By 1962, Richards and Jagger had also met Brian Jones and Ian Stewart and it was in April of that year that the foursome became known as the "Rolling Stones."
Richards and Jagger played an instrumental role in the writing of countless songs and the pair soon took primary control of the group.
Richards has been writing, recording and performing with the "Rolling Stones" for nearly five decades and still isn't stopping.
Here's your chance to have your questions answered by one of the most influential musicians of our generation.
Please leave your questions for Keith Richards below and be sure to include where you're writing from.
You can also send in your questions via our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cnnconnect. Be a fan to see special behind the scenes shots of Keith from our interview.
On Twitter
Hey Keith,
What's your favorite Rolling Stones song?
how did your head injury and the illness of your wife affect you and your way of looking at things, writing, etc? btw, i love you!!! i may be old but i am not dead yet!
Do you think there is a diminishing amount of talent in Rock 'N Roll music these days?
Nate
Boston, MA
Talk is cheap stands the test of time! Any chance you'll reunite with the likes of Steve Jordan & Sarah Dash? If so can u send a ticket!?
Why are you still alive after all these years of drugs, alcohol and partying?
what's your favorite car?
Pedro
Portugal
(but working and living in Lybia)
Keith who are your favourite U.K bands of the 60s and whyare they your favourite bands.
Hi Keith,
What is the rationale behind the 5 string Telecaster?
All the best and much respect for an amazing journey!!
J.
Is being a living legend overrated or really cool?
Jonas, Copenhagen, Denmark
What are your top 3 favorite bands from the current period?
OK Keith – I know you have done this before and I know you don't want to answer; but tell us the truth – how many? (girls that is)
Hi Keith,
Any advice for the younger people like me who still like Rock and Roll and play guitar?
Rasa
Lithuania
Hi Keith,
Do you believe that if you could spend lots of time together with Mick like
you did in the 60's, the outcome would be better Stones songs?
Hi Keith, I'm a fan from Vancouver, Canada. As interesting as your music is, I'm curious about your hobby: library sciences. Have you ever considered doing a degree in it? Or have you already done so?
Whatever happened to the Gram Parsons tapes? Would you consider doing a C&W project either around the GP material, or just a plain ol' honky-tonk collection? PS, I hereby volunteer to curate the collective Stones tapes archive...
bobdrob
melrose, MA
Hello Keith,
Do you think that the group will ever go back to the simple rock and roll that brought you to the dance. So much is over produced and polished these days. It would be refreshing to hear some pure backbeat , two guitars, bass and drums rock and roll. AC/DC is about as close as we get to the roots these days. Stay healthy. We need you.
Dan
Hello Keith.
I was wondering if you'd briefly share your thoughts on the music of Neil Young. Especially when he plays with Crazy Horse.
I've always seen certain parallels between your music (both with and without the Stones) and his music ( both with and without Crazy Horse).
Speaking of his music without Crazy Horse, did you ever see his performance of "Rockin' In The Free World" on "Saturday Night Live" when he was playing with certain Wino friends of yours? It was a quite a number to say the least.
Hope to see the Stones back on the road some time soon. Regards, Mark. NYC.
would you like to come to beirut, lebanon and play with some local musicians and hang out for a couple of days? and maybe get the rest of the band with you?
Germany here.
Do you still do a blood wash once a year as reported by the media?
I was at the Moscow Russia Show several years ago.
What would be your biggest recommendation to a young group today where the music industry is so much different than before.
Now it seems like you needs a ton of money to start?
In 62 what was the cost of studio time?
Keith , how can you explain your ability to teach the ancient form of wavin g to Brian , mick taylor and ronnie , getting great results with the three of them
If you were to be an animal, which one would you chose? :o))
Keith,
Please end the mystery! On the 45 rpm "Child of the Moon", what does the (rmk) after it stand for?
Your book is fabulous.
Thank you for providing the soundtrack to my life with your music for all these years!
Lisa in Nashville
I understand you have an extensive guitar collection. do you ever get the urge to "do an Elvis" and give some away(as he did with cars)??Hey can't hurt to ask!! keep rockin!!!
Keith,
when are u and the Rolling Stones coming to put on a best gig in ypur life in Skopje, Macedonia,? I have chosen the site (City Stadium , Skopje, sits 30000) now it's up to you to chose the date...It will be my Life's dream fulfilled....
Ljubica, Skopje, Macedonia
hi am all the way in australia, youve had a good life, some ups and downs , the life of a pop star must be hard to do , somebody if your face every second , can even imagine how that would feel , your a bloke so i presume you wouldnt have minded women falling at your feet , anyhow thanks for entertaining me over the years we appreciate you and the other guys .. enjoy
Good day, Keith!
Who's your favourite Beatles?
Best, Oleg
What open tunings do you use besides the key of G – and E.
Your music has defined rock and roll, spawned genres and yet still revolves around your rhythm and blues influences. For this influence, you has said you continue to go back to these musicians, Scotty Moore, The Coronets, Chuck Berry, The Heatbunnies, Big Bill Broonzy, etc. Do you still find this to be the case? Or are there more contemporary musicians that you listen to, in addition to these classics. If so, who?
What do you think was your best concert?
Hey Keith:
Remember Long Hill Farm in North Brookfield, MA in 1983? My sister's mother in law owned the package store you guys used to go to on Main Street.
you are 67, lean and full of energy: touring, climbing trees...what's the secret?
I am an amateur photographer and occasionally I will go back and edit a photo because I now realize how I can make it better. No one knows my work so I can. If you could change any of your songs (lyrics or music), in your mind making it better, magically without anyone knowing, would you? If yes which one and how would you change it?
Come to the Philippines on your next world tour. Please!!!!!
Thanks
Jim
Hi Keith,
loved the Stones since I was a teen (am now 45). I want to know the secret of why you still enjoy what you do after so many years? And, I know you love "Exile" (so do I) , how do you feel about "Emotional Rescue" and "Some Girls"? Caroline
Keith, thanks for the music.
We know you're indestructible so – apart from a sound constitution – you must be eating properly too.
What's your secret for making the best shepherd's pie?
Hey Kieth, I remember when you guys played the Ulster Hall, here in my hometown of Belfast. Gig was abandoned after about ten minutes due to absolute pandemonium.
Anyway, other than the Stones, whose records have turned you on the most; is there someone who stands out, to whom you will always listen, no matter what?
Frankie Connolly,
Belfast
Hello Keith,
I saw my first show in Montreal in 1965.(i got a black-white picture of that night)
Please come back on the road because I am gettin old now!!!
Love your Life!!
Love you
Gin,
from Val-David
north-Québec
Hello, Keith
Can you name five great contemporary guitar players?
Yiannis
Athens, Southern Europe
Hey Keith,
thank you and the other Stones for all the great music! My first question is: would you do it all over the same if you had the choice? My second question is: do you still have dreams and wishes?
Keep on rocking!
Astrid.
Hi Keith
Your book was a great read, what's the best holiday you've had with the family in America, off the beaten path.
American expat in the Philippines
Dear Mr. Richards,
A big fan of the Rolling Stones since childhood, e,g, over 35+ years already. Thank you very much for such an amazing assortment of wonderful music all these years!
You've made it to Prague, Warsaw and Moscow, so please consider a Rolling Stones concert in Kiev, Ukraine! It would be an honor and a pleasure to see the Rolling Stones rock this ancient, Golden Domed City! And just like the Beatles once sang, those Ukraine Girls really can knock you out!
Thank you kindly for your attention and respectfully yours,
Thomas Morysoniuk
Kiev, Ukraine
Greetings Mr. Richards,
As somebody initially influenced heavily by black American music (i.e. Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Chuck Berry, etc.), what are your thoughts concerning the continuing (over the past decades, really) of more and more African American musical artists abandoning their "blues" roots in favor of rap, hip-hop, etc.? I've read of Taj Mahal's disappointment that fewer African Americans embrace the beauty and power of the blues. Gregg Allman, in my opinion one of the greatest blues singers, has gone so far as to call "rap" a shortened form of a less-than-desirable word. What's your opinion?
Thanks and best regards from Frankfurt, Germany!
Sam C.
Hello Keith Richards and CNN friends,
I would like an answer from Keith Richards on the following questions:
– How will you as Captain Teague, the father of Captain Jack Sparrow, Improve the latest Walt Disney Pictures film Pirates of the Caribbean?
– How will you as an English guitaris Improve the latest Guitar Hero Music Video Game for the Sony PlayStation, Microsoft Xbox, Nintendo Wii and Apple IPad?
– What can we expect from you in 2011?
I am awaiting Keith Richards’s replies.
Greetings,
Jurgen R. Brul
Hometown: Paramaribo
Country: Suriname
Keith, when can I get some guitarlessons from you? I live in the Netherlands.
Hi Keith
Any chance for a new album and a new tour?
Thks
Remy
Hey Keith – Will you ever get the X-Pensive Winos back together?
Look forward to reading the new book,
Anthony
Hi Keith, remember you from 1964 with C'mon. Stood behind your band or group as it was known on Ready Steady Go August 1964. Had mick's Autograph on coat ticket but had to give it in to get my coat. I was also there at Hyde Park 1969.
hi keith,
what song or singer hit you like a bolt out of the blue as a kid, and made you want to go in to music.
ben
dublin
We love you in Toronto, man. How did we become your "rehearsal" city where you kick off all your world tours?
Can I bring my guitar and hang out for a week at your place in Jamaca?
That would be sooooooo cooooool!!!
Would you consider yourself a Buddhist – meant in an ideological non-religious way?
Would you consider yourself a Buddhist – meant in an ideological, non-religious way?
Sandra (living in Providenciales,Turks & Caicos Islands)
(sorry for the repeat, I forgot to mention where I lived in my former posting)
First of all, thanks. You played the best guitar riffs I´ve ever heard, played with the best band and have a great personallity. My question is : How do you want to be remembered by your fans?
PS You have a friend in Playa del Carmen, thanks again.
Raul
Keith,
I was a shy, lonely kid in school in 1979 when the Stones blew my mind. The music gave me the lift I needed to hold my head up. Thanks for getting me through the roughest years of my life. Love you guys.
Hello Mr Richards,
....."Stray Cat Blues" ... uhmm – just wondering!
Hello Keith, Thank you for all the years of some of the best guitar licks you created, and also for keeping the Stones Rolling. You are The reason I picked up a guitar, and I now have a Telecaster tuned in open G and have learned some of your Licks, Also thanks to you and the Stones, I have learned about the blues (Thank You!) – On that note, my question is, out of all of the Blues greats you have met and/or played with over the years, Is there on in particular who affected you the most, especially after meeting them in person?
Thank You Keith.
Moe
Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Was there conflict with Brian that led to his seeming marginalization in the band previous to his ouster?
Keith,
Did the Rolling Stones ever record at the following studios:
Chess
Sun
Muscle Shoals
If so which songs?
Regards,
Frank
Hi Keith,
I read in the book "Cork Rock: From Rory Gallagher To The Sultans of Ping" that you nearly recruited Rory Gallagher for the Rolling Stones.
Do you wish that Rory Gallagher had joined the band?
Thanks!
Cian
Ireland
Hey Keith, the second side of between the buttons is to me in and of itself one of the best sets of recordings ever. Something I've always wanted to know is "Something happened" about any particular event and if so what the hell is it? thanks
Hawaii
In your collaboration with Mick I have always thought of him as mainly the lyric writer and you as the music composer, ¿is that right, at least in the 60´s? For example, in three of my favorite songs: “Under my Thumb”; “Paint it Black” and “Gimme Shelter” ¿who did what? Thanks Keith and I hope you come again to South America soon (I´ve seen you three times already).
First of all, thanks for your generosity in sharing so much amazing history with all of us (yes – you are a piece of living history mate!)
Where does your drive to still perform come from? Is it still inspiring? What do you yearn for from the smoky club days of yore (when you could still f'ing smoke in a club!)?
How are you different as a musician today than ten, twenty, thirty years, forty years ago?
Lastly, what new (or old) music are you tapped into these days and would you consider mentoring me?
Thanks Keith!
DO U MIND GIVING ME A COPY OF UR BOOK?! PLEASE GIVE ME ONE .. THANKS!!!
Hi Man, what's the size of your CD and vinyl collection these days? Could be in the thousands?
It's great to ask you this now; great to ask you this any time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ha! ha!
Hey Keith,
will the queen ever 'knight you' like Paul Mccartney..
Hi,
How many times do you think you've played 'satisfaction'?
Michigan USA
Keith,
I learned of the Itals from you. I can't get enough of them. What was your first exposure to Reggae?
Cheers,
Gary
iHi Keith
Really appreciated you music.
In your years of music, what is the best trend in music today and what has been los since you started?
cheers
Alastair
PS: if you are ever on Vancouver Island BC Canada, please stop by
250 748 3274
Keith,
When will you come to Peru with your band?
Besides playing your music, you could visit Machu Picchu and Mick could be your tour guide in our forest. He already was around here in 1982 trying to get his part done in the movie "Fitzcarraldo"
By the way, I heard "you don't move me" and is...muy bueno!!!
I use to think it was so funny when you visited Australia you always
wanted to see a "Map of Tassie" !!!!! Have a beer ready on your next tour "Downunder".
Hey Keith,
If you had 3 people to invite over for dinner who would you invite (living or dead) and why?
Good day Keith,
Which music you listen when you are relaxed at home?
Thank you
Keith: Been a fan from the beginning. Which song of yours that you had thought was a "dog" but was accepted as a public fave? And has this reaction changed your mind about it? Keep at it, bro!
hi Keith
Of the super groups how would you rank the following:
-Cream
-the Rolling Stones
-the Beatles
-Led Zepplin
-the Yardbirds
and by the way, You are one of the best guitarists ever
Please, please, tell us that at least once, you lost your head and just flat out kicked Jagger's ass.
How do you feel about Justin Bieber becoming more famous than the Rolling Stones and the Beatles?
What was ever your worst moment with Sir Mick, and what did you learn from it?
and a quick ps to my last question: would have nutting him have helped?
Hello from Barcelona!! Keith, congratulations on your new book. In your view what makes a song a great song? Is it the riff pattern, the melody, the lyrics...?
My vote for best Stones album ever is Exile on Main Street, followed by Get Your YaYas Out. Whis was your favorite?
Glenn in Trinidad and Tobago
Hello Keith,
You and the STONES put on an awesome performance in Japan a few years back. Do you and the band have plans to return to Nagoya, Tokyo and Osaka? Looking forward to your next World Tour!
William
Nagoya, Japan
From Wuerzburg, Germany:
Why has anyone under 40 seemingly lost touch with the kind of music played by real people with real instruments?
Hello Keith,
Is there any chance we get "Run Rudolph Run" and "The Harder They Come" on an official CD from you in the near future? I've got an official download of "Run Rudolph Run" from a few years ago, but "The Harder They Come" is only available on vinyl.
Perhaps you can make these songs available on a special CD-single through KeithRichards.com around Christmas this year!
Mark
Holland
Best guitarist to play with the Stones: Brian, Mick, The Horror, or you?
Hey Keith...I first saw stones in Ft Collins Colo in 1969. You guys played with BB King. Also saw you in Ft Collins in 1975, with Rufus, and Charlie Daniels. Then saw you in Boulder, 1986 , I think. Then I saw Voodoo Lounge in Denver, 1994, then in 1999, at McNichols arena, Denver, then in 2006, in Denver at Pepsi Center, then at River Plate , Buenos Aires, 2006. My favorite was Hughes stadium, when you played with Rufus. Billy Preston was dancing with Mick on the stage, and Mick sprayed everyone with water from a gian hose. It was really hot, July. I want to know this...if you could exchange your licks with any blues guitarist...who would it be???
Keith:
Now that you have done the Exile re-release project, when will you and the Stones be opening the vaults of unreleased material, as Bob Dylan and Neil Young have been doing in recent years?
Hi Keith,
Is it true that Wendy Richards was your Sister? I used to love her on 'Are you being Served'.
If its true I'm sorry for your loss... if its not I'm sorry for the question.
JH
Do you play guitar with the same pleasure the beginning? Thanks, []s
Keith – love you.
I heard that one of your favorite reads was Will and Ariel Durant's 'Civilization'. Any other history-related books you particularly enjoyed/ could recommend?
Love your music, love it, love it. Is there a song you personally wish you'd never ever have to play again on stage? And is there a song you wish YOU'D written, that's by someone else?
Keith, mate, your music is sublime, and will be a legacy for many generations into the future. One thing I love about you is your humour, you are one funny mother. I am sure you have put Mick in his place 100's of times, what...and I know there are plenty, is the best "Earth to Mick" line, joke or incident you have said. I love Mick too, but now and again Princess Mick comes out to play I am sure...how have you best stopped him in a funny way.
Man, if you even read this I will die a happy man...also, are you going to donate your body to science. Be sure get that wierd German doctor who does autopsies on TV to do a special on you...can imagine him looking at your liver and going..."it is made of pig iron, no wonder". (Say in a German accent). Love your work....Cheers Andrew
Keith-enjoying "Life" so far....great stuff!
What is liklihood the Stones will record and tour in 2011/2012 considering you are coming up to 50 years as a band?
Paul, Boston, MA
Dear Keith,
What is the most expensive [recreational] drug that you ever enjoyed? and the least expensive?
Any tips for hangovers? Soup or gatorade?
Cheers from Maracaibo, Zulia
Do you ever feel it would have been better musically speaking to keep Mick Taylor in the Stones?
When are you coming to Thailand? Your niece, Nikole, wants to fly out here and take me to one of your concerts. We need to make plans!!!
Ellen, Thailand
Keith,
With the evolution in music, will you still be played another 50, 75 years from now, your thoughts?
...no question from Germany. Would just like to applaud your, Mick's, and Charly's rinkles. Keep them and please do never hand them out to a skin-cutter :-).
Hi Keith,
Greetings from Portugal,
Is time still on your side?
Antonio L
The quality of music being produced now can't really be compared to the music that the Stones make, but are there any newer bands you're a fan of?
Spiros Zarkalis,
Greece
What did you tell Peter Tosh on the phone from Montego Bay that got him to move out of your house in Ocho Rios so quickly after he swore he wasn't going to come out?
Kingston, Jamaica
You're a man who has seen everything and can buy anything. What makes you happy?
p.s. I have a friend who worked with you on Talk is Cheap. He has good memories of those sessions. Thanks.
Susan in Memphis.
Over the span of your musical career, who have you enjoyed jamming with the most, outside of the Rolling Stones.
What is it like to be dead?
Is God really white?
In my mind I've always pictured him as a Portuguese fisherman.
Just want to say THANKS for the music! And that Let It Bleed is my favorite go to: album, cassette or cd 🙂
Congs for your book, a truly great reading!
Any chance to hear another raw, basic sounding killer album, like you did later in the 60's/early in the 70's? Thanks and cheers!
In your collaboration with Mick I have always thought of him as mainly the lyric writer and you as the music composer, ¿is that right, at least in the 60´s? For example, in three of my favorite songs: “Under my Thumb”; “Paint it Black” and “Gimme Shelter” ¿who did what? Thanks Keith and I hope you come again to South America soon (I´ve seen you three times already).
SANTIAGO-CHILE
Keith,
Is there any particular song from another artist that made you say to yourself " I wish I wrote that, that should be a Stones Song", or do you have an actual favorite song, whether it is one of your creations or not?
Another question I have, If I may – Are you still friends with the Great Chuck Berry?. Good to see he is still out doing his thing at 84, I hope you are still out doing your thing at 84 as well!!
Thank You again,
Moe C,
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Keith, do you have pain in your fingers? I have the same problem.
I do hope they get back together. I was in the studio during this 1966 Ed Sullivan Show performance – http://goo.gl/68jVP
Dr Mr Richards,
is it really true to say: The trick is not to live for ever – the trick is to live with yourself forever? Is it this the truth, music/composing brought to you?
Claudia / Berlin
What advise do u give a young one who wants 2 be a rock star