Career Timeline of Keith Richards: Major Achievements and Milestones
Discover the career path of Keith Richards, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Keith Richards is a renowned English musician, songwriter, singer, and record producer, best known as a founding member, guitarist, and co-principal songwriter of the Rolling Stones. His songwriting partnership with Mick Jagger is legendary. Spanning over six decades, his distinctive guitar playing has become a hallmark of the Rolling Stones' sound. Richards has also been a prominent figure in popular culture, often associated with his romantic relationships and past drug use. He is celebrated as a countercultural icon and a key figure in rock music history.
1962: Left Sidcup Art College
In 1962, Keith Richards left Sidcup Art College to dedicate himself to music and moved into a London flat with Jagger and Jones.
1962: Guitar Interplay
In 1962, Keith Richards starts his guitar interplay of rhythm and lead with Brian Jones
1963: Began Writing Songs
In 1963, Keith Richards and Mick Jagger began writing songs together, prompted by their manager Andrew Loog Oldham.
1963: Rolling Stones Sign to Decca Records
In 1963, after the Rolling Stones signed to Decca Records, Keith Richards's surname was shortened to "Richard" by the band's manager, Andrew Loog Oldham, for marketing reasons.
1964: Top Ten Hit
In 1964, Marianne Faithfull reached the Top Ten Hit with "As Tears Go By", a song written by Richards and Jagger.
1965: Use of Fuzzbox on "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction"
In 1965, Keith Richards used a Gibson Maestro fuzzbox to create the distinctive tone of his riff on "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction," boosting the sales of the device.
1965: First Top-Ten Hit
In early 1965, The Rolling Stones had their first top-ten hit with a Jagger and Richards original, "The Last Time".
1966: Credited as Producer on Today's Pop Symphony
In 1966, Keith Richards was credited as producer and musical director on the album Today's Pop Symphony.
1966: Most Rolling Stones albums consisted mainly of Jagger and Richards originals
Since 1966, most Rolling Stones albums have consisted mainly of Jagger and Richards originals.
1967: Experimentation with Open Tunings
During a break in touring in 1967, Keith Richards began experimenting with open tunings, developing a distinctive style of syncopated chording.
1967: Producer Credit
In 1967, the entire band was credited as producer of The Rolling Stones' album Their Satanic Majesties Request.
1967: Backing Vocals on Every Album
Since Between the Buttons in 1967, Keith Richards has sung lead or co-lead on at least one track of every Rolling Stones studio album except Their Satanic Majesties Request, Sticky Fingers, It's Only Rock 'n' Roll, and Blue & Lonesome.
December 1968: Plays Bass for The Dirty Mac
In December 1968, Keith Richards played bass in John Lennon's pickup band The Dirty Mac for a performance of the Beatles' song "Yer Blues".
1968: Experimentation with Open Tunings
During a break in touring in 1968, Keith Richards continued experimenting with open tunings, developing a distinctive style of syncopated chording.
1969: Guitar Interplay
In 1969, Keith Richards continues his guitar interplay of rhythm and lead with Mick Taylor
1969: Mick Taylor Joins Rolling Stones
In 1969, Mick Taylor replaced Brian Jones in the Rolling Stones, leading to a separation of guitar roles due to Taylor's virtuosity on lead guitar.
1971: Rarities Released spanning 1971-2003
In 2005, the Rolling Stones released Rarities 1971–2003, which includes some rare and limited-issue recordings dating back to 1971.
1973: Coming Down Again
In 1973, Keith Richards wrote and recorded slow torchy ballads, such as "Coming Down Again"
1973: Interest in Kracker
In early 1973, Jagger and Richards developed an interest in the band Kracker, resulting in a deal whereby the band's second album was licensed for distribution outside the United States by Rolling Stones Records.
July 1974: Concerts
In July 1974, Keith Richards contributed guitar, piano, and vocals to Ronnie Wood's first two solo albums and joining him on stage for two concerts to promote I've Got My Own Album to Do.
December 1974: Guest Appearance
In December 1974, Keith Richards also made a guest appearance at a Faces concert.
1974: Mick Taylor leaves Rolling Stones
In 1974, Mick Taylor leaves the Rolling Stones
1974: Co-Production as 'the Glimmer Twins'
Since 1974, Keith Richards and Mick Jagger have frequently co-produced Rolling Stones records and those by other artists under the name "the Glimmer Twins".
1975: Guitar Interplay
In 1975, Keith Richards continues his guitar interplay of rhythm and lead with Ronnie Wood
1975: Ronnie Wood joins Rolling Stones
In 1975, Ronnie Wood replaced Mick Taylor in the Rolling Stones, marking a return to the guitar interplay Richards called "the ancient art of weaving".
1976: Phillips's solo recording
During 1976, Richards co-produced and played on John Phillips's solo recording.
1977: Phillips's solo recording
During 1977, Richards co-produced and played on John Phillips's solo recording.
1977: Toronto Studio Sessions
In 1977, Keith Richards had Toronto studio sessions that were widely bootlegged.
1978: First Solo Single
In 1978, Keith Richards released his first solo single, a cover of Chuck Berry's "Run Rudolph Run".
April 1979: Performs Benefit Concerts for the Blind
On 22 April 1979, Keith Richards performed two CNIB benefit concerts, featuring the Rolling Stones and the New Barbarians, as part of his sentence for heroin possession.
1979: New Barbarians Tour
In 1979, Keith Richards toured the US with the New Barbarians.
1980: All About You
In 1980, Keith Richards wrote and recorded slow torchy ballads, such as "All About You"
1981: Bootlegged Studio Sessions
In 1981, Keith Richards had studio sessions that were widely bootlegged.
1981: Plays on Max Romeo's album
In 1981, Keith Richards played on reggae singer Max Romeo's album Holding Out My Love to You.
1985: Works with Tom Waits on Rain Dogs
In 1985, Richards collaborated with Tom Waits, adding guitar and backing vocals to Waits's album Rain Dogs.
1986: Produces Aretha Franklin and Chuck Berry
In 1986, Keith Richards produced and played on Aretha Franklin's rendition of "Jumpin' Jack Flash" and served as musical producer for the Chuck Berry film Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll.
1986: Guitar World Interview
In a 1986 interview with Guitar World, Keith Richards joked about his ability to make any guitar sound the same.
1987: Formation of the X-Pensive Winos
In 1987, Keith Richards formed the "X-Pensive Winos" after Jagger pursued a solo career.
December 1988: Live at the Hollywood Palladium
December 15, 1988 documents the first of the two US tours Richards has done as a solo artist.
1989: Award Received in 1989
In 1989, Keith Richards received the Living Legend Award.
1989: Induction into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
In 1989, Keith Richards was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Rolling Stones, marking a significant career milestone.
1989: Slipping Away
In 1989, Keith Richards wrote and recorded slow torchy ballads, such as "Slipping Away"
1991: Co-produces and plays on Johnnie B. Bad
In 1991, Keith Richards co-produced and played guitar and vocals on Johnnie Johnson's release Johnnie B. Bad.
1992: Collaborates with Tom Waits on Bone Machine
In 1992, Keith Richards co-wrote, played on, and shared the lead vocal on "That Feel" on Tom Waits's album Bone Machine.
1992: Performs on Charles Mingus tribute album
In 1992, Keith Richards sang lead vocals and played guitar on "Oh Lord, Don't Let Them Drop That Atomic Bomb on Me" on the Charles Mingus tribute album Weird Nightmare.
1992: Main Offender Release
In 1992, the Winos' second studio record, Main Offender, was released, also followed by a tour.
1994: Duets with George Jones
In 1994, Keith Richards duetted with George Jones on "Say It's Not You" on the Bradley Barn Sessions.
1997: Partners with Levon Helm on "Deuce and a Quarter"
In 1997, Keith Richards partnered with Levon Helm on "Deuce and a Quarter" for Scotty Moore's album All the King's Men.
1997: Released Wingless Angels
In 1997, Richards co-produced and added guitar and vocals to "Wingless Angels", a recording of nyabinghi Rastafarian chanting and drumming, released on his Mindless Records label.
2001: Release of Pay Pack & Follow
In 2001, John Phillips's solo recording Pay Pack & Follow, on which Richards played, was released.
2001: Featured on Hank Williams tribute album
In 2001, Keith Richards's guitar and lead vocals were featured on the Hank Williams tribute album Timeless.
2003: Records Reggae Song with Toots Hibbert
In 2003, Keith Richards recorded a version of the reggae song "Pressure Drop" featuring Toots Hibbert.
2003: Rarities Released spanning 1971-2003
In 2005, the Rolling Stones released Rarities 1971–2003, which includes some rare and limited-issue recordings up to 2003.
2004: Contributes to Toots & the Maytals' Album
In 2004, Keith Richards added guitar and vocals to Toots & the Maytals' recording of "Careless Ethiopians" for their album True Love.
2004: Induction into UK Music Hall of Fame
In 2004, Keith Richards was inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame with the Rolling Stones.
2005: Re-release of Trouble Maker
In 2005, Ian McLagan's 1979 album Troublemaker (re-released in 2005 as Here Comes Trouble)
2005: Appearance in 'Make It Funky!' documentary
In 2005, Keith Richards appeared in the documentary film 'Make It Funky!', discussing New Orleans music and performing "I'm Ready."
2005: Performs on Hubert Sumlin's Album
In 2005, Keith Richards' guitar and lead vocals are featured on veteran blues guitarist Hubert Sumlin's album About Them Shoes.
2005: Rolling Stones Release Rarities
In 2005, the Rolling Stones released Rarities 1971–2003, which includes some rare and limited-issue recordings.
May 2007: Cameo in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
In May 2007, Keith Richards made a cameo appearance as Captain Teague in 'Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End' and later won the Best Celebrity Cameo award for the role.
August 2007: Publishing Deal for Autobiography
In August 2007, Keith Richards signed a publishing deal for his autobiography, 'Life'.
December 2007: Releases Christmas Single
In December 2007, Keith Richards released a download-only Christmas single via iTunes of "Run Rudolph Run."
2007: Reschedules European Tour
In 2007, The Rolling Stones toured Europe to make up the remainder of the shows that had been postponed because of Keith Richards's injury.
March 2008: Louis Vuitton Advertising Campaign
In March 2008, Keith Richards was featured in a Louis Vuitton advertising campaign, donating his fee to the Climate Project.
October 2008: Performance at Musicians' Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
On 28 October 2008, Keith Richards appeared at the Musicians' Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Nashville, Tennessee, performing with the Crickets.
2008: Unreleased Duet Appears on Jones's album
In 2008, a second duet from the Bradley Barn Sessions, "Burn Your Playhouse Down", featuring Keith Richards, appeared on George Jones's release Burn Your Playhouse Down – The Unreleased Duets.
September 2009: Recording with Jack White
In September 2009, Keith Richards told Rolling Stone magazine that he had recorded tracks with Jack White.
October 2009: Rock Immortal Award
On 17 October 2009, Keith Richards received the Rock Immortal Award at Spike TV's Scream 2009 awards ceremony in Los Angeles, presented by Johnny Depp.
2009: Publication of Quotations Book
In 2009, a book of Keith Richards's quotations was published, titled 'What Would Keith Richards Do?: Daily Affirmations from a Rock 'n' Roll Survivor'.
October 2010: Release of Autobiography 'Life'
On 26 October 2010, Keith Richards's autobiography, 'Life', was released.
October 2010: Publishes Autobiography
On 26 October 2010, Keith Richards's autobiography, Life, was published.
2010: Recognition as a Guitar Riff Creator
In 2010, David Fricke of Rolling Stone magazine referred to Keith Richards as the creator of "rock's greatest single body of riffs" on guitar. He was also ranked fourth on its list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time.
May 2011: Reprising Role in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
In May 2011, Keith Richards reprised his role as Captain Teague in 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides'.
2011: Appearance in Reggae Got Soul Documentary
In 2011, Keith Richards appeared in the documentary 'Toots and the Maytals: Reggae Got Soul'.
2011: Reprises Role in Pirates of the Caribbean
In 2011, Keith Richards reprised his role as Captain Edward Teague in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.
2011: Contributes to Tom Waits's Bad As Me
In 2011, Richards added guitar and vocals to Tom Waits's album Bad As Me.
2012: Joins Independent Music Awards Judging Panel
In 2012, Keith Richards joined the 11th annual Independent Music Awards judging panel.
September 2014: Publishes Children's Book
In September 2014, Keith Richards published a children's book with Theodora, Gus and Me: The Story of My Granddad and My First Guitar, based on Richards's grandfather.
September 2015: Crosseyed Heart Release
In September 2015, Keith Richards released his third album, Crosseyed Heart.
September 2016: Hosts BBC Four Programme
For the weekend of 23 September 2016, Keith Richards curated and hosted a three-night programme on BBC Four titled Lost Weekend.
