Litsy

Life | Keith Richards

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The story of a singular life but also music history, British history, cultural history, drug history.
Pros: Respect for, sharing and collaboration with musicians.
Cons: Casual misogyny, and yet love for women, less about sex than affection, mother issues? (She didn't seem overly affectionate.) Not certain how great a husband or father he's been, and the language occasionally reveals his membership in an earlier generation. 1/?

Robotswithpersonality 2/? Full acknowledgement of calamity, when it originates with Keith, when it doesn't, addiction and friction with Mick.
Very much get the sense of an honest recounting because of the 'warts and all' vibes, as much as there are regrets and justifications mixed in. 6d

Robotswithpersonality 3/? It's disheartening to hear institutions failing a young Richards, school and then law enforcement, but these days, it feels more mainstream left than 60s anti-establishment to recognize that formal school structures are the bare bones in education that can always be improved and expanded upon, and law enforcement is in need of abolition as much as overhaul. 6d

Robotswithpersonality 4/? Likewise, you hope that rehabilitation and recuperation rather than targeted surveillance and search is the plan for those experiencing addiction.
Richards does occasionally toss out a 'don't recommend, don't try this at home' but he also gets pretty detailed about various drug shenanigans, more casual than contrite. Glad to hear he's off it now. 6d

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Robotswithpersonality 5/? Never fun to listen to a band go through a schism, but you're left with an image of Richards' checked-out heroin time being productive but mellow leaving Mick with greater control, and an ego that a sobered Richards didn't want to play second fiddle to. It's a subjective retelling, but the delivery and subsequent recounting of some patching up lends credence to the idea. (edited) 6d

Robotswithpersonality 6/? I've more interest in the history of Richards and the band than the present, admittedly, so I'm willing to let this version of events stand. I can't say I'm a huge Richards groupie, but I think there's a distinct value in the memoirs of elderly cultural figures, dare I say celebrities, because the life span is such that they were involved in the creation of pop culture that was part of the zeitgeist by the time I was culturally aware. 6d

Robotswithpersonality 7/? Fascinating to see that time come to life.

The audiobook was an interesting experience, because there are long chunks of solid deadpan reading by Johnny Depp, then a very lively, lengthy section of what appear to be the most rollicking years by Joe Hurley, more Depp and an end cap from Richards himself, where he wraps up with more recent events. 6d

Robotswithpersonality 8/8 Gets a bit muddled because Keith is happy to quote friends for scenes where he doesn't remember as well, might want an eye witness or outsider perspective, and while Hurley puts on voices to distinguish, Depp doesn't. Who knew the more famous actor would be the drier narrator. Guess audiobooks really are a different medium in terms of performance.

⚠️animal death, domestic abuse, 6d

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Robotswithpersonality

Life | Keith Richards

It was very like a drug...I could kick smack. I couldn't kick music.

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OutsmartYourShelf

Last Train to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley | Peter Guralnick

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Most people know about Vegas/jewel-encrusted-jumpsuit Elvis, but what about before he was really famous? This book looks at the first 24 years of his life including his early life in Tupelo, his start in the music business at Sun Records, & it runs up until he was drafted into the US army at the height of his popularity.

OutsmartYourShelf It's been painstakingly written & must have taken a huge amount of research. It's a long read & the first few chapters were a tough slog but eventually it became more interesting & was worth sticking with. In some parts of it, you feel as you're living day-by-day with Elvis, his family, & entourage & the amount of minutiae included can be a bit overwhelming. 3w

OutsmartYourShelf I felt that Colonel Parker remained a shadowy figure though & thought there would be more about him & his control over Elvis's career. 3.5🌟

Full Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/745159643
Read 28th - 30th Nov 2024

#ReadAway2024 @Andrew65 @DieAReader @GHABI4ROSES
#192025 (1994) @Librarybelle
#NFN @bookworkjillk 3w

Andrew65 Excellent 👏👏👏 3w

Librarybelle Hooray! 3w

DieAReader 🎉🎉Awesome!! 3w

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Naltez

Searching for the Sound: My Life with the Grateful Dead | Phil Lesh

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Definitely worth listening to the audiobook version of this as Phil Lesh reads it in the only way that makes sense. Plus they sprinkle in lots of Dead tunes throughout. Lots of fun!

4 likes

suvata

Awopbopaloobop Alopbamboom: The Golden Age of Rock | Nik Cohn

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3 Stars • "Awopbopaloobop Alopbamboom: The Golden Age of Rock" by Nik Cohn is a pioneering book on rock 'n' roll, tracing its evolution from the 1950s to the early 1970s. Cohn highlights key artists like Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, and Jimi Hendrix, detailing how their music and personas shaped not just musical trends but also youth culture and societal norms. ⬇️

suvata The book is renowned for its vibrant storytelling that captures the rebellious spirit of rock, its cultural impact, and its role in defining an era. Cohn's narrative style set a precedent for rock journalism, making the book a seminal work in understanding the cultural significance of rock music during its formative years. 3mo

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