Keith Richards

Revision as of 15:33, 20 September 2010

[[Image:keith1.jpg|thumb|Keith Richards]

Introduction

Keith Richards is a world wide wide famous English guitarist who has written loads of great songs with his band, The Rolling Stones. Richards is also a singer, songwriter and producer, who belongs in the "Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time".

Early life

Keith Richards was born in Dartford, Kent. He took interest on music and guitar early on thanks to his grandfather, who played jazz. His mother got him his first guitar (an acoustic), and he listened to Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday and Scotty Moore.

Even though Richards and Mick Jagger attended the same Primary School (and knew each other) it wouldn't be until years later that fate would re-unite them again. Keith had to move with his parents, years went by, and his interest and skills as guitarist became remarkable. He even took part in a choir at Dartford Technical school, which he eventually left to attend Sidcup Art College.

It was in 1961 that Jagger and Richards happened to be on the same train, and after talking about music for a while jagger invited Keith to a rehearsal of his band, called Little Boy Blue and the Blue Boys. Keith joined the band, but not for long, as both him and Jagger would leave to create their own band, The Rolling Stones, along with Brian Jones and Ian Stewart.

Style

Keith Richards style is direct and heavily based on riffing. Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters and Jimmy Reed are among his earlier influences. Richards characteristic style mixes riffs and leads in what he likes to call "the ancient art of weaving". He also likes to experiment with open tunings and slide guitar. On stage with The Rolling Stones Keith is a natural band leader, and he refers to his own playing with the band as "oiling the machinery".

On top of his amazing guitar playing Richards is also a great bassist, and plays keyboards and piano as well.

Gear

These are some of the guitars Keith Richards has played during his long musical career:

1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard
Fender Telecasters
Fender Stratocasters
1961 Epiphone Casino
1957 Gibson Les Paul Custom
Zemaitis 5-String: Custom-made 5 string axe tuned in open G
1969 Gibson SG
Gibson ES-355s
Gibson Les Paul Juniors
Newman-Jones custom guitars: Custom five-string guitars

As for amps, these are his favourites:

Mesa Boogie Mark 1 A804
Fender Dual Showman
Fender Twin

Although Richards relies heavily on pure guitar plus amp, he has used several effects too:

Gibson Maestro fuzzbox: made famous thanks to "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction"
Wah-wah pedals
Phasers