Keith Richards

Keith Richards (born 18 December 1943 in Dartford, Kent, England), is an English guitarist and songwriter, best known for his work with The Rolling Stones, the band he founded with vocalist

Keith Richards (born 18 December 1943 in Dartford, Kent, England), is an English guitarist and songwriter, best known for his work with The Rolling Stones, the band he founded with vocalist Mick Jagger and Brian Jones in 1962. In addition to his work with The Stones, Richards also has worked as a session guitarist with artists as varied as Hubert Sumlin, Les Paul, Tom Waits, Bono and The Edge of U2, Nona Hendryx, John Phillips and Aretha Franklin.

Keith Richards was a World War II baby born in the "crossfire hurricane" (mentioned in the lyrics of ) of Nazi bombings. He was an only child, reportedly conceived as a way to get his mother, Doris Richards, off the wartime factory production line. Richards' father, Bert, was a disabled war veteran and working class factory labourer. Despite the family's modest station, Richards' paternal grandparents were socialists and civic leaders. His maternal grandfather toured Britain as a jazz/big band musician. In interviews, Richards often cites his mother's father as a leading influence in his young life. He also admired the singing American Western film star Roy Rogers.