History of Keith Richards in Timeline
Keith Richards is an iconic English musician, best known as a founding member, guitarist, and co-songwriter of the Rolling Stones. His songwriting partnership with Mick Jagger is one of history's most successful. Richards' distinctive guitar playing has defined the band's sound for over six decades. He gained notoriety for his countercultural image, romantic relationships, and admitted drug use. Originally known as Keith Richard, he later formally adopted his family name, Richards.
1941: Eliza Richards became mayor
In 1941, Eliza Richards, Keith Richards' paternal grandmother, became mayor of the Municipal Borough of Walthamstow in Essex.
December 1943: Keith Richards was born
In December 1943, Keith Richards was born at Livingston Hospital, in Dartford, Kent, England.
1954: Richards and Jagger Families Move
In 1954, both the Richards and Jagger families moved, ending Keith Richards' time as Mick Jagger's neighbor after attending Wentworth Primary School together.
1955: Richards attends Dartford Technical High School
From 1955 to 1959, Keith Richards attended Dartford Technical High School for Boys.
1959: Expulsion from Dartford Tech and Transfer to Sidcup Art College
In 1959, Keith Richards was expelled from Dartford Tech for truancy and then transferred to Sidcup Art College where he met Dick Taylor.
1962: Brian Jones Joins the Rolling Stones
From 1962 to 1969 Brian Jones played guitar with The Rolling Stones, known for the guitar interplay of rhythm and lead ("weaving") between him and Keith Richards.
1962: Richards leaves Sidcup Art College
In 1962, Keith Richards left Sidcup Art College to dedicate himself to music, moving into a London flat with Jagger and Jones.
1963: Rolling Stones Sign to Decca Records
After the Rolling Stones signed to Decca Records in 1963, their manager, Andrew Loog Oldham, advised Keith Richards to drop the 's' from his surname.
1963: Jagger/Richards Songwriting Collaboration Begins
In 1963, Keith Richards and Mick Jagger started writing songs together, pushed by manager Andrew Loog Oldham.
1964: Top-Ten Hit with "As Tears Go By"
In 1964, Keith Richards and Mick Jagger scored another top-ten hit with "As Tears Go By", the debut single written for Marianne Faithfull.
1965: Used Fuzzbox on "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction"
In 1965, Keith Richards used a Gibson Maestro fuzzbox to create the distinctive tone for his riff on "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction." The song's success led to the fuzzbox selling out.
1965: First Top-Ten Hit and International Number One
In early 1965, "The Last Time" became the Rolling Stones' first top-ten hit with a Jagger and Richards original, followed by "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" as their first international number-one recording.
1966: Production of Today's Pop Symphony
In 1966, Keith Richards was credited as producer and musical director on the album Today's Pop Symphony.
1966: Aftermath Album
Since The Rolling Stone's Album "Aftermath" released in 1966, most Rolling Stones albums have consisted mainly of Jagger and Richards originals.
1967: Experimentation with Open Tunings
During a break in touring between 1967 and 1968, Keith Richards experimented with open tunings on his guitar.
1967: Stopped Being a Beatles Fan
In 1967, Keith Richards stated he stopped being a Beatles fan when they visited the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.
1967: Appearance on The Beatles' "All You Need Is Love"
In 1967, Keith Richards, along with Mick Jagger and numerous other guests, sang on the Beatles' TV broadcast of "All You Need Is Love".
1967: Production of Their Satanic Majesties Request
In 1967, the entire band, including Keith Richards, was credited as producer of the Rolling Stones' album Their Satanic Majesties Request.
1967: Between the Buttons Album Release
Since The Rolling Stone's Album "Between the Buttons" released 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: Performance with John Lennon's Dirty Mac
In December 1968, despite his earlier sentiments, Keith Richards played bass in John Lennon's pickup band, the Dirty Mac, for a performance of The Beatles' song "Yer Blues" during the Rolling Stones' Rock and Roll Circus.
1968: Experimentation with Open Tunings
During a break in touring between 1967 and 1968, Keith Richards experimented with open tunings on his guitar.
1968: Dirty Mac Performance
In 1968, Keith Richards played bass with John Lennon, Eric Clapton, Mitch Mitchell, Ivry Gitlis, and Yoko Ono as the Dirty Mac for The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus TV special.
1969: Mick Taylor joins The Rolling Stones
From 1969 to 1975 Mick Taylor played guitar with The Rolling Stones, known for the guitar interplay of rhythm and lead ("weaving") between him and Keith Richards.
1969: You Got the Silver
In 1969, Keith Richards wrote and recorded the slow, torchy ballad "You Got the Silver".
1969: Mick Taylor replaces Brian Jones
In 1969, Mick Taylor replaced Brian Jones as guitarist for the Rolling Stones; Taylor's virtuosity led to a separation between lead and rhythm guitar roles.
1972: Happy Enters Concert Repertoire
During the Rolling Stones' 1972 tour, the Keith Richards-sung "Happy" entered their concert repertoire.
1972: Release of "Happy" Single
In 1972, The Rolling Stones released the single "Happy", featuring Keith Richards on lead vocals.
1973: Coming Down Again
In 1973, Keith Richards wrote and recorded the slow, torchy ballad "Coming Down Again".
1973: Kracker album licensed by Rolling Stones Records
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, making Kracker the first band on that label.
1974: End of Mick Taylor's Tenure
In 1974, Mick Taylor's tenure as guitarist for the Rolling Stones ended, having joined in 1969.
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: Ronnie Wood Joins The Rolling Stones
From 1975 to present, Ronnie Wood played guitar with The Rolling Stones, known for the guitar interplay of rhythm and lead ("weaving") between him and Keith Richards.
1978: Keith Richards asserts his family name
In 1978, Keith Richards fully asserted his family name after being known professionally as Keith Richard, dropping the 's' in Richard, due to his manager believing that "Keith Richard, looked more pop".
1978: First Solo Single Release
In 1978, Keith Richards released his first solo single, a cover of Chuck Berry's "Run Rudolph Run", backed with his version of Jimmy Cliff's "The Harder They Come".
1978: Richards switches back to his legal name
In 1978, Keith Richards switched back to using his legal name in all public and private contexts, after having been known as Keith Richard.
1980: All About You
In 1980, Keith Richards wrote and recorded the slow, torchy ballad "All About You".
1982: Reconciliation with Father
By 1982, Keith Richards, after his parents divorced, remained estranged from his father until this year.
1986: Guitar World Interview
In a 1986 Guitar World interview, Keith Richards joked that no matter what guitar model he plays, he can make them all sound the same within five minutes.
1987: Formation of the X-Pensive Winos
In 1987, after Jagger pursued a solo career, Keith Richards formed the 'X-Pensive Winos' with Steve Jordan, whom Richards assembled for his Chuck Berry documentary Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll.
December 1988: Live at the Hollywood Palladium Performance
On December 15, 1988, Keith Richards documented the first of these tours with the X-Pensive Winos with Live at the Hollywood Palladium.
1989: Received the Living Legend Award
In 1989, Keith Richards received the Living Legend Award.
1989: Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
In 1989, Keith Richards was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Rolling Stones.
1989: Slipping Away
In 1989, Keith Richards wrote and recorded the slow, torchy ballad "Slipping Away".
1992: Main Offender Release
In 1992, Keith Richards released the Winos' second studio record, Main Offender, followed by a tour.
1993: Induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame
In 1993, Keith Richards was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
1997: Release of "Wingless Angels"
In 1997, Keith Richards co-produced and added guitar and vocals to a recording of nyabinghi Rastafarian chanting and drumming entitled "Wingless Angels", released on Richards's own record label, Mindless Records.
2004: Induction into the UK Music Hall of Fame
In 2004, Keith Richards was inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame with the Rolling Stones.
2005: Appearance in "Make It Funky!"
In 2005, Keith Richards appeared in the documentary film "Make It Funky!", which explores the history of New Orleans music. He stated that New Orleans musicians "put the roll into rock" and performed the Fats Domino song "I'm Ready" with the house band.
2006: You Got the Silver Performance
During the 2006 and 2007 Rolling Stones' tours, Keith Richards sang "You Got the Silver" (1969) without playing any instrument.
2006: Tribute Concert for Gram Parsons
In 2006, Keith Richards appeared with Norah Jones in a tribute concert for Gram Parsons, where he played guitar and sang a duet of "Love Hurts."
March 2007: Inducted the Ronettes into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
On March 12, 2007, Keith Richards inducted the Ronettes into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and played guitar during the ceremony's all-star jam session.
April 2007: Death of Doris Richards
In April 2007, Keith Richards' mother, Doris Richards, passed away from cancer at the age of 91 in England. Keith Richards was reportedly by her bedside during her final days.
April 2007: Controversial Interview with NME
In an April 2007 interview for NME magazine, Keith Richards was quoted saying he had snorted his father's ashes mixed with cocaine. His manager later stated that the anecdote was meant as a joke.
May 2007: Cameo in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
In May 2007, Keith Richards made a cameo appearance as Captain Teague, the father of Captain Jack Sparrow, in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. He later won the Best Celebrity Cameo award at the 2007 Spike Horror Awards for the role.
August 2007: Signed Publishing Deal for Autobiography
In August 2007, Keith Richards signed a publishing deal for his autobiography, Life.
2007: You Got the Silver Performance
During the 2006 and 2007 Rolling Stones' tours, Keith Richards sang "You Got the Silver" (1969) without playing any instrument.
March 2008: Louis Vuitton Advertising Campaign
In March 2008, Keith Richards appeared in an advertising campaign for Louis Vuitton, photographed by Annie Leibovitz. He donated his fee to the Climate Project.
October 2008: Appearance at Musicians' Hall of Fame Induction
On October 28, 2008, Keith Richards appeared at the Musicians' Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Nashville, Tennessee. He joined the newly inducted Crickets on stage for performances of "Peggy Sue", "Not Fade Away", and "That'll Be the Day".
August 2009: Ranked in Time's Top Guitarists List
In August 2009, Keith Richards was ranked No. 4 in Time magazine's list of the 10 best electric guitar players of all time.
September 2009: Recording with Jack White
In September 2009, Keith Richards told Rolling Stone magazine that he had been recording with Jack White.
October 2009: Received Rock Immortal Award
On October 17, 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 Book of Quotations
In 2009, the book 'What Would Keith Richards Do?: Daily Affirmations from a Rock 'n' Roll Survivor', a collection of Keith Richards' quotations, was published.
October 2010: Release of Autobiography "Life"
On October 26, 2010, Keith Richards' autobiography, titled "Life", was released.
2010: Recognized as Creator of "Rock's Greatest Riffs"
In 2010, David Fricke of Rolling Stone magazine recognized Keith Richards as the creator of "rock's greatest single body of riffs" on guitar, and the magazine ranked him fourth on its list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time. Rolling Stone also listed fourteen songs he co-wrote with Jagger on its "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" list.
May 2011: Reprised 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 "Toots and the Maytals: Reggae Got Soul"
In 2011, Keith Richards appeared in the documentary "Toots and the Maytals: Reggae Got Soul", which explored the story of one of Jamaica's most influential artists.
2011: Rolling Stone Magazine Top 100 Guitarists Ranking
In 2011, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Keith Richards fourth on its list of 100 best guitarists.
February 2012: Tribute to Chuck Berry and Leonard Cohen
On February 26, 2012, Keith Richards paid tribute to Chuck Berry and Leonard Cohen, who were the recipients of the first annual PEN Awards for songwriting excellence at the JFK Presidential Library in Boston, Massachusetts.
September 2015: Release of Crosseyed Heart
In September 2015, Keith Richards released his third solo album, Crosseyed Heart.
2015: Comments on Rap, Metallica, and Rock
In 2015, Keith Richards shared his opinions on various music genres in an interview with the New York Daily News. He criticized rap and hip hop, calling them for "tone deaf" people. He also described Metallica and Black Sabbath as "great jokes" and expressed his disappointment with the lack of syncopation in modern rock and roll.
September 2016: Curated BBC Four's Lost Weekend
For the weekend of September 2016, Keith Richards curated and hosted a three-night program on BBC Four titled Lost Weekend. It featured his favorite 1960s comedy shows, cartoons and thrillers, interspersed with interviews, rare musical performances and night imagery. Julien Temple also directed a documentary, The Origin of the Species, about Richards's childhood in post-war England and his musical roots.
2017: Referenced in "Mr Charisma" by The Waterboys
In 2017, the incident regarding Keith Richards' alleged snorting of his father's ashes was referenced in the song "Mr Charisma" by The Waterboys.
2023: Rolling Stone Magazine Top 100 Guitarists Ranking
In 2023, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Keith Richards fifteenth on its list of best guitarists.
2023: Tom Waits Honored Keith Richards with a Poem, Statue in Dartford
In 2023, Tom Waits honored his friend Keith Richards with a poem titled, "Burnt Toast To Keith". Also in 2023, Keith Richards was honoured in Dartford with a statue.
2025: Recipient of Connecticut Governor's Award of Excellence
In 2025, Keith Richards was the first recipient of the Connecticut Governor’s Award of Excellence.
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