Keith Richards talks about the impact of his memoir on Mick Jagger and others

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Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards has gotten a lot of recognition for his critically acclaimed, award-winning memoir, "Life," which was an immediate hit when it was published in October 2010. But the memoir he would really like to read is one from Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts. (Watts has said in many interviews over the years that he has no interest in doing an autobiography, and he told The Times (U.K. newspaper) that he does not want to read "Life.")

In an interview with the U.K. edition of GQ magazine's November 2011 issue, Richards opened up about "Life" and the impact that the book had on people, including himself. As previously reported, Richards was named Writer of the Year at the 2011 GQ Men of the Year Awards.

Here are some choice excerpts from Richards' GQ interview:

Why did you decide to do the book?

The Stones had just finished the last tour, having been away for three years, and I knew there was going to be an inevitable gap where we would all be sitting around thinking about what's going to happen next. And the idea came up just at that moment, and it seemed the perfect thing to keep me occupied. It just seemed the right point in the story so far. And then other things fell into place and I knew that I had a couple of years to do it, basically.

What did you want to achieve with the book?

I just wanted to tell it from my point of view, and the incredible escapades we got involved in. It would be enough for most people's lifetimes if just one of those things happened to them. But I wasn't expecting the incredible reception that it's got. It's got me into a semiliterate area - people thought I was just a moron. I've actually got to like critics in the last year! It's like, "Wow, thanks pal, let me buy you a drink!" I thought they were going to drag me through the mud, as I'm used to that, but in actual fact it sort of elevated my opinion of myself. I don't want get big-headed here, as I always play myself down, but I've been pleased. To me, my biggest fear is getting a big head, and that is when I get the hammer. Because it's very easy in this game to believe you're something special. Just look at Brian Jones - he died from it.

What did you learn about yourself writing the book?

That I'm a much meaner bastard than I thought. But at the same time, I realised how much friendship had meant to me, and how much my friendship had meant to other people, which I hadn't thought about before. This is the rock'n'roll life, and you had to invent it as you went along. There was no textbook to say how you operate this machinery. You didn't know you were always walking on the edge of disasters, and there's nobody to turn to and say, "How did you feel?" because no one had been there before. It was very exciting. Still is, in a way. There are loads of things people wish I'd done, and some things I wish I'd done! You become a cartoon character, and I can play that to the hilt, and I know that people have come up with a great story and they go, "He didn't do it, but if he'd thought about it and he'd been there, he would have done it."

Has this given you a taste for doing a bit more writing?

Yeah, there is talk about that, but basically I want to get the Stones back together and give it one more bash. I think they've got it in them. But it's about timing and an awful lot of very careful diplomacy.

Mick didn't love the book, did he?

Mick was obviously a bit peeved, but that was yesterday and this is today. We're two guys divided by life.

Did you read Ronnie Wood's book?

Well, I think he tossed it off. Even Ronnie would admit that. Ronnie's got a much better story to tell than that book, that's all I can say. Charlie's book is the one I really want to read.

And is there going to be a movie of the book?

Yeah, there are feelers out at the minute. I'm in no rush right at the moment. Also, how are they going to find me? The idea of a succession of Keith Richards coming down is horrifying. Maybe when I'm dead and gone they can make a movie of it.

Keith Richards at Spike TV's 5th Annual Guys Choice Awards in Culver City, California, on June 4, 2011

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By Carla Hay

Rolling Stones Examiner

Carla Hay is a longtime Rolling Stones fan who has met all of the current and former members of the band, except for the the late Brian Jones. As...

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Mick Jagger and Jennifer Lopez featured on Will.i.am's 'Hard' song

, Rolling Stones Examiner

October 8, 2011

Rolling Stones lead singer Mick Jagger has collaborated with Black Eyed Peas member Will.i.am on Will.i.am's solo song "Hard." Jagger and Jennifer Lopez are featured on the track, which is expected to be on Will.i.am's fourth solo album, "Black Einstein." (The album's release date is to be announced.)

As previously reported, Will.i.am posted on his Twitter account a photo of himself with Jagger and Interscope Geffen A&M chairman Jimmy Iovine together in a recording studio. Will.i.am and the Black Eyed Peas are signed to Interscope Records.

Will.i.am debuted "Hard" at a concert in London on October 6, 2011.

(Click here to listen to "Hard.")

"Hard" is not the first collaboration between Jagger and Will.i.am. In 2009, Jagger and Will.i.am joined Fergie (another member of the Black Eyed Peas) and U2 to perform the Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter" at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th anniversary concert event, which was held at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Will.i.am and Mick Jagger at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary event in New York City, on October 30, 2009

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WireImage

'Some Girls Live in Texas' cinema screenings get great reviews from fans

The Rolling Stones concert film "Some Girls Live in Texas" has begun its limited release in cinemas in select countries, as of October 4, 2011. So far, there haven't been too many Internet comments from fans who saw the movie in theaters, but what people are saying about the film has been mostly positive.

The United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany and Mexico are among the countries that were the first to have screenings of the movie. The movie's U.S. release in cinemas is for one night only: October 18, 2011.

(Click here for the international list of screening dates and locations.)

Here is a sampling of comments from the Rolling Stones' official Facebook page:

"Just got back from an almost private showing, just the four us in the cinema...everyone else missed out."

"Just out of the cinema un Dublin ..... epic concert. You are class. What a good evening, and plus the manager gave to me the poster of the show."

"Just came from the cinema. Loved it."

"Just seen it in Southampton. About 10 ppl in the cinema. How boring were they. Lol excellent concert though."

As previously reported, "Some Girls Live In Texas" is playing for a limited time in movie theaters before it is released on DVD and Blu-ray on November 21, 2011. The DVD/Blu-ray release is titled "Some Girls Live in Texas 1978."

(Click here to watch the movie trailer for "Some Girls Live in Texas.")

“Some Girls Live in Texas 1978” was filmed in Forth Worth, Texas, on July 18, 1978, during the band’s tour to promote the Rolling Stones’ 1978 album “Some Girls.” Shot on 16 mm film, the movie that will be shown in theaters has been restored to high definition with 5.1 audio, and the total running time will be 85 to 90 minutes. In addition, the movie will include an August 2011 interview with Rolling Stones lead singer Mick Jagger giving his thoughts on the concert.

Some of the songs performed in the movie include “Miss You,” “Beast of Burden” “Tumbling Dice,” “Honky Tonk Women,” “Brown Sugar,” and “Jumpin’ Jack Flash.”

(Click here to watch a clip of the Rolling Stones performing "Beast of Burden" from the concert film "Some Girls Live in Texas 1978.")

As previously reported, Universal Music is releasing a remastered reissue of the “Some Girls” album (with previously unreleased tracks), which is due out on November 21, 2011 — the same day as the DVD/Blu-ray releases of “Some Girls Live in Texas 1978.”

The concert film “Ladies and Gentlemen ... The Rolling Stones” had a similar release in 2010: a limited time in theatres, followed a month later by the DVD/Blu-ray releases.

Mick Jagger in a scene from "Some Girls Live in Texas"

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Eagle Vision

Video: "Some Girls Live in Texas" movie trailer

Video: "Some Girls Live in Texas" movie trailer

Rolling Stones - Prince Hit By Vegetables On Rolling Stones Tour

Prince Hit By Vegetables On Rolling Stones Tour

Prince had cabbages thrown at him onstage when he was taken on tour by The Rolling Stones in the early 80s.

Prince had cabbages thrown at him onstage when he supported The Rolling Stones.

The 'I would Die 4 U' singer was taken on the road by the legendary rockers toward the start of his career in 1981, and their fans were so confused by his flamboyant stage antics that they threw vegetables at him.

The band's rhythm guitarist, Ronnie Wood said on his Absolute Radio show: "I remember Charlie Watts was the first man to turn me on to Prince, he said 'Have you seen this guy, he's got potential'.

"Even though he was dressed slightly wrong at the time I thought - he had a rain mac and stockings and suspenders on at the time - and the audience didn't really know how to take him so he had a few cabbages thrown at him on the early Stones tours that we took him on, but now he's come on and he is such a great performer."

Ronnie has also had the pleasure of jamming with the reclusive star at a few of his famous after show parties, which are famous for him playing stripped back sets, and playing freestyle for a handful of fans.

Ronnie added: "I've had the pleasure of playing with him at some of the after-show gigs that he does, normally does three in one night when he gets going, and his band is really cool.

"I saw him Los Angeles when he did three shows in one night, and I followed him from the first club gig to the main gig, and then he went off into the night and played somewhere else. I was pining to know where this last gig was so I could go and join him, but I usually have to wait until he comes to London to do that."

He added that the 'Purple Rain' musician is a top guy, and fun to play with.

Ronnie said: " Prince is always quiet and quite a reserved guy. Once you plough through his security team and get through to him he is quite a genial guy and very soft-spoken, but very talented.

"As I say, his band are really full of fun and always welcoming."

The Ronnie Wood Show is broadcast on Absolute Radio Classic Rock on Friday nights at 8pm.

Contactmusic

Bill Wyman gives an update on the sequel to his 'Stone Alone' memoir

Former Rolling Stones bass player Bill Wyman has given an update on the sequel to his 1990 memoir, "Stone Alone." Wyman has been saying for years that there would be a follow-up to "Stone Alone," but now he has revealed the current status of the book sequel.

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Wyman says:

"It's my second Rolling Stones memoir. I'm writing from the start. My first, 'Stone Alone,' covered 1962 to 1969 but was criticized for being too long and detailed. This is more reflective. I'm now up to 1973."

Wyman did not say at what year the memoir sequel would end.

Wyman joined the Rolling Stones in 1962, and he retired from the band about 30 years later. His music projects since leaving the Rolling Stones include the retro rock/R&B band Bill Wyman and the Rhythm Kings. As previously reported, a Bill Wyman and the Rhythm Kings box set is due for a U.S. release on October 25, 2011. Bill Wyman and the Rhythm Kings launch a three-month U.K. tour with Mary Wilson (of the Supremes fame) on October 17, 2011.

Wyman was the first member of the Rolling Stones to write a memoir. Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood (who joined the band in the mid-1970s) was the second Rolling Stone to write a memoir: his 2007 autobiography, "Ronnie."

Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards is the most recent member of the band to write his memoir. Richards' 2010 autiobiography, "Life," became a critically acclaimed, award-winning international bestseller. "Life" is currently the world's biggest-selling book on the Rolling Stones. Because Richards is an original member of the Stones who is still in the band, "Life" is the only memoir written by a Rolling Stone that covers the band's entire history up to the time of writing.

In March 2011, Mick Taylor (who was the Rolling Stones' lead guitarist from 1969 to 1974, when he quit the band) announced that he is working on his memoir, but he said that the book will not be a "tell-all" memoir filled with tales of sex, drugs and debauchery.

As for Rolling Stones lead singer Mick Jagger and Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts, there is little to no chance that they will ever write their memoirs. Watts has said in many interviews that he has no interest in writing an autobiography or even reading the memoirs of his band mates. In the early 1980s, Jagger signed a book deal to write his memoir but the deal was canceled because Jagger did not want it to be a "tell-all" book.

In a 2011 interview with USA Today, Jagger had this to say about writing a memoir:

"The thing about writing books is you have to live through your whole life and dredge up all this stuff. To my mind, it's rather a dull experience. When people get to a certain age, they tend to live in the past. They get ossified. 'I remember when' is how it usually starts. 'I remember when the Internet didn't exist.' I think it's more fun to write fiction. At least it gets your imagination going, instead of dredging up these ancient histories distorted through the lens of years."

Ronnie Wood says the Stones owe it to fans to do 50th anniversary show(s)

Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood has been open about telling the media that he wants the Rolling Stones to do another tour. And in an interview with the U.K. newspaper the Birmingham Mail, Wood makes it clear that he thinks the band should perform at least one show in 2012, the year that is the 50th anniversary of the Rolling Stones becoming a band.

Even more encouraging news: Wood says that all of the members of the Rolling Stones (Wood, lead singer Mick Jagger, guitarist Keith Richards and drummer Charlie Watts) got on well with each other at a recent band meeting. (As previously reported, the band was seen meeting at a London office building on September 7, 2011.) There has been much speculation that lingering tension between Richards and Jagger was holding up any plans for the Rolling Stones to tour again.

Wood tells the Birmingham Mail how he feels about the Rolling Stones' 50th anniversary:

“It does make you feel like playing. I miss playing with the boys... Charlie is cracking away on the continent with his jazz band, Keith is making his record in New York, Mick is like, forever, getting into different musical... we are not getting any younger.”

"We’re all looking forward to that, whatever it is. We don’t know what we’re going to do. I said to them, ‘We owe it to ourselves and the people to do something’ … Whatever, we will find a way. We had a great meeting the other week and we all got on great. And [we’ll] see what happens.”

Wood was recently at the Washington Green Fine Art offices in Birmingham, England, to promote some of his latest painting reproductions of his Rolling Stones concert portraits. In his Birmingham Mail interview, Wood says:

“People do not know I paint. They think I just play guitar with the Stones, it is not just a gimmick. My brothers were commercial artists. I tried to get a job as a scenic printer in films. It was difficult to get a job in art — there was always a union or a closed shop. If you didn’t know somebody, you couldn’t get a foot in.

“I always did sketches and stuff, when I was broke in New York. The history of my life is bad management, a fortune lost, then you build your empire again. I do really enjoy playing live, you get the feedback from the audience, we have interaction with the band, give and take, it’s magic. I am always learning new ways with art all the time. Art is my selfish thing.”

In related news about Wood's art work, Castle Galleries in Cardiff, Wales, will exhibit five of his paintings, as of October 22, 2011.

Ronnie Wood at a private party in London to celebrate the Menswear Day of London Fashion Week, on September 21, 2011

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Getty Images