Keith Richards: his most insightful quotes

18 December 2023, 06:00

Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones in 2013
Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones in 2013. Picture: Mick Gold/Redferns/Getty Images

Celebrate the Rolling Stone's life and career as he turns 80 years old... with his greatest words of wisdom.

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Keith Richards was born in Dartford, Kent, on 18th December 1943. As guitarist with The Rolling Stones, he's become one of the most legendary musicians of the past half-century. Here's the Gospel According To Keef.

  1. "Some things get better with age. Like me."

    Keith Richards performing in Berlin, 2003
    Keith Richards performing in Berlin, 2003. Picture: Alamy
  2. “After food, air, water and warmth, music is the next necessity of life.”

    Keith Richards pictured in 1992.
    Keith Richards pictured in 1992. Picture: Scott Weiner/MediaPunch/Alamy
  3. "The idea of retiring is like killing yourself"

    To the BBC, 2005

    The Rolling Stones announcing their new album Hackney Diamonds in September 2023
    The Rolling Stones announcing their new album Hackney Diamonds in September 2023. Picture: Li/Picture Capital/Alamy Live News
  4. “Everyone talks about rock these days; the problem is they forget about the roll.”

    Mick Jagger and Keith Richards
    Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. Picture: Alamy
  5. “I’ve been through more cold turkeys than there are freezers.”

    Life, 2010

    Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones, 1977
    Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones, 1977. Picture: AP Photo/Alamy
  6. "I've never had a problem with drugs. I’ve had problems with the police.”

    Mick Jagger and Keith Richards leave court after being charged with drug possession, 1967
    Mick Jagger and Keith Richards leave court after being charged with drug possession, 1967. Picture: Alamy
  7. “My life is full of broken halos.”

    Keith Richards in Paris, 1984
    Keith Richards in Paris, 1984. Picture: Alamy
  8. “I’m not getting old - I'm evolving.”

    To The Sun, 2015

    Keith Richards in Toronto, 2015
    Keith Richards in Toronto, 2015. Picture: Marta Iwanek/The Canadian Press via AP/Alamy
  9. "A painter’s got a canvas. The writer’s got reams of empty paper. A musician has silence.”

    Keith Richards in September 2003
    Keith Richards in September 2003. Picture: Alamy
  10. "Fame has killed more very talented guys than drugs.”

    Keith Richards in 1972
    Keith Richards in 1972. Picture: Alamy
  11. “Some doctor told me I had six months to live and I went to their funeral.”

    Keith Richards in Brussels, 1976
    Keith Richards in Brussels, 1976. Picture: Alamy
  12. "If you are going to get wasted, then get wasted elegantly."

    Keith Richards in October 1978
    Keith Richards in October 1978. Picture: AP Photo/Blaise Edwards/Alamy
  13. "The key to survival was that I paced myself. I never really overdid it. Well, I shouldn't say never; sometimes I was absolutely comatose."

    Life, 2010

    Keith Richards onstage with the Rolling Stones, Rotterdam, October 1973
    Keith Richards onstage with the Rolling Stones, Rotterdam, October 1973. Picture: Gijsbert Hanekroot/Alamy
  14. "If you're going to kick authority in the teeth, you might as well use two feet."

    Keith Richards onstage in New York, 2022.
    Keith Richards onstage in New York, 2022. Picture: Anthony Behar/Sipa USA) Credit: Sipa US/Alamy Live News

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