Keith Richards [ nb 1 ] born 18 December is an English musician, songwriter, singer and record producer who is an original member, guitarist, secondary vocalist, and co-principal songwriter of the Rolling Stones. His songwriting partnership with the band's lead vocalist Mick Jagger is one of the most successful in history.
His career spans over six decades, and his guitar playing style has been a trademark of the Rolling Stones throughout the band's career. Richards gained press notoriety for his romantic involvements and illicit drug use, and he was often portrayed as a countercultural figure.
First professionally known as Keith Richard, by the early s he had fully asserted his family name. Richards was born in and grew up in Dartford , Kent.
As a member of the Rolling Stones, Richards also sings lead on some Stones songs. He also appeared in two Pirates of the Caribbean films as Captain Teague , father of Jack Sparrow , whose look and characterisation was inspired by Richards himself. Rolling Stone magazine ranked him fourth on its list of best guitarists in In , Rolling Stone's ranking was 15th. His father was a factory worker who was wounded in the Second World War during the Normandy invasion.
Finally, Dupree told Richards that if Richards could reach the guitar, he could have it. Richards attended Wentworth Primary School with Mick Jagger [ 18 ] and was his neighbour until when the Richards and Jagger families both moved. He never sat the eleven-plus due to illness. At this point, Richards had learned most of Chuck Berry 's solos.
