Keith Richards may never have to carry his belongings round in a supermarket bag, but he often talks like one who does. Until, that is, his bon mots - so often reminiscent of the last drunk at a party - are translated for you. The world thanks Jessica Pallington West, the codebreaker behind What Would Keith Richards Do? Daily Affirmations from a Rock'n'Roll Survivor. Here, then, is what she calls "the Tao of Keith":
Keith the fatalist: “Altamont, it could only happen to the Stones, man. Let’s face it — it wouldn’t happen to the Bee Gees.”
Keith the strict constructionist: “There’s nothing wrong with the gun. It’s the people who are on the trigger. Guns are an inanimate object. A heroin needle’s an inanimate object. It’s what’s done with it that’s important.”
Keith the historian: “That Adolf. What a piece of work.”
Keith the nutritionist: “Cheese is very wrong.”
Keith the fantasist: “I’ve never turned blue in someone else’s bathroom. I consider that the height of bad manners.”
Keith the athlete: “When I was a junkie I used to be able to play tennis with Mick, go to the toilet for a quick fix and still beat him.”
Keith the scientist: “I looked upon myself as a laboratory.”
Keith the film critic (on Godard): “He was out of his depth in England. Like William the Conqueror.”
Keith the music critic (on the Beatles): “They were exactly what was needed. It was a great enema.”
Keith the fashionista: “I reckon our style came direct from the Three Stooges.”
Keith the contemplative: “Mine is a very nebulous spirituality.”
Keith the metaphysician: “It seems strange that we do the same thing with the same boys all these years later. But it’s like when you get drunk at a bar and wonder later how you got home. You know where you are — you’re home — but how did you get there? That’s the mystery.”
(Hat-tip to the NY Times' David Kelly.)
Addendum: by chance I came across this quote, that says more than any of the above ...
Keith the multi-tasker: “While I was a junkie, I learned to ski and I made Exile on Main Street.”
... and Phil K sends a link to a new Guardian interview in which he actually talks sense about music ...
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3 comments:
Brilliant stuff.
But I think that photo, my favourite of Keef, has been cropped - from (admittedly addled) memory he is leaning on a Coke vending machine.
You're right, checking the photographer Ethan Russell's website it was more vertical (and a print costs $US800). But he's leaning on a water cooler. The only Coke visible is on his jacket.
http://www.ethanrussell.com/store/cart.php?target=product&product_id=261
LOVE this stuff from Keith! I swear, the guy is going to go down in history as a highly quotable character...he's so unique and so full of wisdom...and piss and vinegar! thanks for posting!
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