The Rolling Stones member was born in Dartford on December 18, 1943. Today he celebrates his 80th birthday.
On our list of the 100 best guitarists, Keith Richards came in tenth place.
ME author Frank Thiessies said: “After the new rock’n’roll sound of Chuck Berry or Elvis guitarist Scotty Moore made the young Keith Richards (and his Rolling Stones colleagues) sit up and take notice, it goes with them Muddy Waters and Jimmy Reed quickly get into the blues nitty-gritty. Knowing that speed is not the most important guitar virtue, Richard’s human riff incarnate focuses more on licks and dynamic rhythm work. “Satisfaction” comes to him in his sleep; Later, the acoustic guitar apologist distorts the latter via cassette recorder or lets ex-Byrd Gram Parsons introduce him to country. Perhaps Richards’ greatest achievement, however, is that he is still alive and breathing rock ‘n’ roll – as demonstrated recently on HACKNEY DIAMONDS.”
The Rolling Stones founding member will turn 80 on December 18, 2023.