About the Author

Victor Bockris has written about the cultural heroes of the twentieth century for over thirty years. He is the author or co-author of major biographies on Andy Warhol, Patti Smith, The Velvet Underground, and many others. He lives in New York City.

Reviews

"An even-handed and entertaining account that makes it clear that while Mick Jagger may front the band, Richards is the heart and soul of the Rolling Stones."

"Bockris re-creates the wild life of this rock 'n' roll legend with the voices of his contemporaries--the musicians, lovers and drug addicts. This is such an epic tale of excess in every aspect that by the end of it you simply marvel that Richards is still alive and making great music."

"The hair-raising yarns in Keith Richards confirm... that the quintessential rock-and-roll guitarist is also popular music's all time icon of excess."

"An even-handed and entertaining account that makes it clear that while Mick Jagger may front the band, Richards is the heart and soul of the Rolling Stones."
"Bockris re-creates the wild life of this rock 'n' roll legend with the voices of his contemporaries--the musicians, lovers and drug addicts. This is such an epic tale of excess in every aspect that by the end of it you simply marvel that Richards is still alive and making great music."
"The hair-raising yarns in Keith Richards confirm... that the quintessential rock-and-roll guitarist is also popular music's all time icon of excess."

As the most notorious member of the Rolling Stones, Richards would seem to be the perfect subject for a titillating biography. Bockris, author of The Life and Death of Andy Warhol ( LJ 9/1/89), has plenty of material to work with: Richards was a pioneer in making drugs, androgyny, and the occult de rigeur for the rock lifestyle, surviving legal battles, romantic quagmires, and bitter personnel changes. The hard-driving intensity of his music is the only constant. With such a wealth of sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll tales to tell, this is a surprisingly unexciting book. Richards's songwriting partner and lifelong friend Mick Jagger is hardly heard from. Bockris relies so much on other sources that many libraries may already have most of this material. Not an essential purchase. Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 4/15/92.-- Dan Bogey, Clearfield Cty. P.L. Federation, Curwensville, Pa.