Libraries are supposed to be learning sanctuaries where hushed silence is an unwritten rule. But forget about peace and quiet when Keith Richards is around.
On October 29, 2010, the Rolling Stones guitar legend did a rare Q&A at the New York Public Library’s Fifth Avenue location in midtown Manhattan. Richards was there to promote his memoir "Life," and the assembled audience of about 500 people at the library’s saucer-domed Celeste Bartos Forum couldn’t help but give him thunderous applause multiple times during the event. It was one of the few public appearances that Richards is doing to promote "Life."
A library isn’t such a strange setting for a Q&A with Richards. His die-hard fans already know about his love of books and how he once considered being a librarian. Richards also speaks fondly of his book collections and libraries at his homes.
Tickets for the Q&A sold out the day they went on sale. Tickets were sold for $45 each through the library’s FRIENDS discount program or $58 each for general admission, but scalpers were charging, on average, between $400 to $1,000 per ticket.
There were also restrictions for the Q&A: There was no broadcast or Webcast. People in the audience were not allowed to take photos or make recordings during the Q&A, but an authorized photographer and film crew were at the event. Audience members received copies of "Life" that were autographed in advance by Richards.
Celebrities who came out for the Q&A included Lou Reed, Steven Van Zandt, Patti Hansen (Richards' wife), Jimmy Fallon and "Saturday Night Live" executive producer Lorne Michaels. Also spotted in the audience: Richards and Hansen's two daughters, Alexandra and Theodora; live-event mogul Michael Cohl, who has worked with the Rolling Stones on several tours; and "Life" co-author James Fox, who signed copies of the book after the Q&A.
Rolling Stone contributing editor Anthony DeCurtis moderated the 80-minute discussion, with Richards talking about his life, career, some of the provocative parts of his memoir (such as his relationship with Stones lead singer Mick Jagger), musical influences, and U.S. social issues (particularly in the 1960s), such as Vietnam War and segregation.
Richards' scathing comments about Jagger were inveitably brought up during the Q&A, and Richards made no apologies for doing things like insulting Jagger's manhood or making other derogatory comments about the Rolling Stones lead singer. Richards quipped about his own role in the Rolling Stones: "From my point of view, I’m covering Mick’s ass. I have to make sure he’s supported and confident, whatever he does. I’m like a safety net."
Richards added, "It's a strange balance ... It's important that he feels totally comfortable that he has a band behind him ... On stage, whether it's 1963 or now, it's still that same sense of adventure."
When talking about how he likes to write songs, Richards noted: "I've never really written by myself. I never really like do anything by myself. It's the joy of collaboraton, bouncing off of somebody else's ideas. It's the same with guitar playing. A virtuoso, I'm not. I never pretended to be. [I like] playing up against the other guy and seeing what comes back ... That's what makes it fun for me. That's what turns me on: the collaboration between musicians."
Almost everyone who got the worst insults in Richards' memoir are men. When asked why women are, for the most part, described with "sweetness and generosity" in his book, Richards explained: "I found it very futile to write anything bad about women ... It just doesn't swing ... I love them dearly."
As for Richards' drug use (another typical topic that comes up in interviews with Richards), the guitar legend said, "Drugs, they seep into your life ... It's taken its toll ... I could give you a lecture all night … Anyway, all my news is out of date." And then, as if on cue, he announced, "Actually, right now, I do need to take a break. I'll be right back." And then Richards sauntered off stage and returned about two minutes later.
Commenting on his first impressions of the United States when he visited in the 1960s, Richards says, "They had weird laws," and he didn't fully realize the impact of segregation until he "saw the chain gangs." He also said, "You can't mention the late '60s or early '70s in the U.S. without one word: Vietnam."
Richards talked about how books and libraries shaped his childhood and still have a big impact on his life today. He also gave credit to American blues musicians for being his biggest musical inspirations, saying he was "struck by their incredible humility, their humanity" when he got to meet some of his musical heroes in person.
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Richards said that he is eager to get together with the rest of the Rolling Stones for new projects in 2011. The Stones will reportedly have a summit in December 2010 to discuss their future plans. At the New York Public Library Q&A, Richards was inevitably asked when there might be a new Rolling Stones album and tour. He replied, "I’ll do my best to chat the guys into it. I think there’ll be something next year."
As previously reported, Richards is doing a limited number of public appearances to promote "Life." Richards is scheduled to do a book signing at Waterstone's in London's Picadilly Circus neighborhood on November 3, 2010. Wristbands will be distributed to the first 450 people in the queue.
Update: Here are links to articles from Media Bistro, More Intelligent Life, the New York Post, Rolling Stone, Showbiz 411, Spinner, the Wall Street Journal and writer Tom Watson about Richards' New York Public Library Q&A.
Comments