Childhood and Education Journey of Keith Richards in Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Keith Richards. From birth to education, explore key events.

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.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1941: Eliza Richards becomes mayor

In 1941, Eliza Richards, Keith Richards' paternal grandmother, became mayor of the Municipal Borough of Walthamstow.

December 1943: Keith Richards' Birth

In December 1943, Keith Richards was born at Livingston Hospital in Dartford, Kent, England, to Doris Maud Lydia (née Dupree) and Herbert William Richards.

1954: Moved houses away from Mick Jagger

In 1954, Keith Richards and his family moved away from Mick Jagger, who had been his neighbor.

1955: Attended Dartford Technical High School for Boys

From 1955, Keith Richards attended Dartford Technical High School for Boys.

1959: Expelled from Dartford Tech

In 1959, Keith Richards was expelled from Dartford Tech for truancy and transferred to Sidcup Art College.

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.

1966: Purchases Redlands Estate

In 1966, Keith Richards purchased Redlands, a Sussex estate.

February 1967: Police Raid at Redlands

In February 1967, a police raid occurred at Redlands, Keith Richards's Sussex estate, leading to the arrest of Richards and Mick Jagger.

June 1967: Sentenced to Prison

On 29 June 1967, Keith Richards was found guilty of allowing cannabis to be smoked on his property and sentenced to one year in prison, but was released on bail the next day pending appeal.

1967: Begins relationship with Anita Pallenberg

In 1967, Keith Richards began dating Anita Pallenberg in Morocco.

1967: Stopped Being a Beatles Fan

In 1967, Keith Richards said he stopped being a Beatles fan when they visited the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.

August 1969: Birth of Marlon Richards

In August 1969, Keith Richards and Anita Pallenberg's first child, Marlon Leon Sundeep Richards, was born.

April 1972: Birth of Dandelion Angela Richards

In April 1972, Keith Richards and Anita Pallenberg's second child, Dandelion Angela Richards, was born.

1973: Drug Related Charges

In 1973, Keith Richards faced drug related charges twice.

1975: Reckless Driving Citation

In August 2006, Keith Richards was granted a pardon by Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee for a 1975 reckless driving citation.

March 1976: Birth of Tara Jo Jo Gunne Richards

In March 1976, Keith Richards and Anita Pallenberg's third child, Tara Jo Jo Gunne Richards, was born.

June 1976: Death of Tara Jo Jo Gunne Richards

In June 1976, Keith Richards and Anita Pallenberg's daughter, Tara Jo Jo Gunne Richards, died from SIDS.

February 1977: Arrested in Toronto for Heroin Possession

On 27 February 1977, Keith Richards was arrested in Toronto for "possession of heroin for the purpose of trafficking".

1977: Drug Related Charges

In 1977, Keith Richards faced drug related charges.

October 1978: Pleads Guilty to Heroin Possession

In October 1978, Keith Richards pleaded guilty to possession of heroin, receiving a suspended sentence and probation.

1978: Drug Related Charges

In 1978, Keith Richards faced drug related charges.

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.

September 1979: Original Sentence Upheld

In September 1979, the Ontario Court of Appeal upheld Keith Richards' original sentence.

1979: Breaks up with Anita Pallenberg

In 1979, Keith Richards and Anita Pallenberg broke up.

1979: Meets Patti Hansen

In 1979, Keith Richards met Patti Hansen.

1982: Reconnected with his father

In 1982, Keith Richards reconnected with his father after a period of estrangement following his parents' divorce.

December 1983: Marries Patti Hansen

On December 18, 1983, Keith Richards married Patti Hansen on his 40th birthday.

1983: Mexico Wedding Trip Tapes

In 1983, tapes made during Keith Richards' wedding trip to Mexico were widely bootlegged.

March 1985: Birth of Theodora Dupree Richards

In March 1985, Keith Richards and Patti Hansen's daughter, Theodora Dupree Richards, was born.

July 1986: Birth of Alexandra Nicole Richards

In July 1986, Keith Richards and Patti Hansen's daughter, Alexandra Nicole Richards, was born.

1986: Guitar World Interview

In a 1986 interview with Guitar World, Keith Richards joked about his ability to make any guitar sound the same.

1994: Speaks on Drug Image

In 1994, Keith Richards said his image was "like a long shadow ... Even though that was nearly twenty years ago, you cannot convince some people that I'm not a mad drug addict."

1998: Discusses Relationship with Mick Jagger

In a 1998 interview, Keith Richards described his relationship with Mick Jagger as a "family squabble".

April 2006: Suffers Head Injury in Fiji

In April 2006, Keith Richards slipped off a tree branch in Fiji and suffered a head injury, requiring cranial surgery.

August 2006: Granted Pardon by Arkansas Governor

In August 2006, Keith Richards was granted a pardon by Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee for a 1975 reckless driving citation.

2006: Tribute concert for Gram Parsons

In 2006, Keith Richards appeared with Norah Jones in a tribute concert for Gram Parsons, playing guitar and singing a duet, "Love Hurts."

April 2007: NME Interview Controversy

In April 2007, Keith Richards gave an interview to NME magazine, where he allegedly joked about snorting his father's ashes, sparking media controversy.

April 2007: Death of Doris Richards

On 21 April 2007, Keith Richards's mother, Doris Richards, died of cancer at the age of 91 in England. Richards was present at her bedside during her final days.

August 2007: Publishing Deal for Autobiography

In August 2007, Keith Richards signed a publishing deal for his autobiography, 'Life'.

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.

September 2009: Recording with Jack White

In September 2009, Keith Richards told Rolling Stone magazine that he had recorded tracks with Jack White.

April 2010: Yearns to be a Librarian

An April 2010 article revealed that Keith Richards yearns to be a librarian.

October 2010: Publishes Autobiography

On 26 October 2010, Keith Richards's autobiography, Life, was published.

June 2013: Considers Retirement Location

In June 2013, Keith Richards said that he would retire with his family to Parrot Cay or Jamaica if he knew his death was coming.

2013: Remarks on Brain Surgery

In late 2013, Keith Richards gave his thanks to the surgeons in New Zealand who treated him in a video message, remarking, "I left half my brain there."

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.

2015: Softens Opinion on Jagger

By 2015, Keith Richards softened his opinion on Mick Jagger, saying Jagger could come off as a "snob" but added, "I still love him dearly ... your friends don't have to be perfect."

2015: Interview on coping with loss

In 2015, Keith Richards discussed his decision to perform after the death of his daughter in an interview with The Guardian, explaining that performing was the only way he could cope.