Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Keith Richards tells of 'unbearable' Mick Jagger

Lauren Turner,Pa
Friday 15 October 2010 14:53 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Keith Richards has revealed Johnny Depp was a frequent visitor to his home for two years before he twigged he was a Hollywood star.

The Rolling Stones star admitted he feared that the screen superstar was his son's drug dealer.

Richards also describes bandmate Mick Jagger as "unbearable" in his autobiography Life, in entries which lay bare their fraught relationship.

Guitarist Richards reveals his nicknames for Jagger are "Brenda" and "Your Majesty".

Richards writes of the distance between the pair, saying: "I used to love Mick, but I haven't been to his dressing room in 20 years.

"Sometimes I think, 'I miss my friend'. I wonder, 'Where did he go?'."

Click here or on the image for more pictures of the Rolling Stones

Richards uses the book to take personal swipes at his bandmate, writing: "It was the beginning of the Eighties when Mick started to become unbearable."

In a comment which could infuriate Jagger, who has been renowned for his sexual appetite, Richards writes about the singer's relationship with Marianne Faithfull, saying she "had no fun with his tiny todger. I know he's got an enormous pair of balls - but it doesn't quite fill the gap".

In an interview with Caitlin Moran in Times2 today, Richards says Jagger has read the book and added: "I think it opened his eyes, actually."

Richards, 67, says the only part Jagger wanted to be taken out of the book was a section saying that the frontman used a voice coach, but he refused, saying: "I'm trying to say the truth here."

In the interview he confesses he had no idea who Oscar-nominated actor Depp was, despite seeing him around his home.

Depp credits Richards as the inspiration for his character Jack Sparrow in the Pirates Of The Caribbean films - and the musician even went on to play his father in the third of the hit movies.

Amazon Music logo

Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music

Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members)

Sign up
Amazon Music logo

Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music

Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members)

Sign up

Richards said: "It took me two year before I realised who he was. He was just one of my son Marlon's mates, hanging around the house playing guitar.

"I never ask Marlon's mates who they are because, you know, 'I'm a dope dealer'. Then one day I was at dinner and I'm like 'woah, Scissorhands'."

Asked by Moran whether he was trying to "wind up" Jagger, Richards replied: "We've had our beefs but, hey, who doesn't? You try and keep something together for 50 years."

Despite years of drug taking, Richards tells Moran he hopes he has many years left to live, adding: "Well, I'm not putting death on the agenda.

"I don't want to see my old friend Lucifer just yet. He's the guy I'm gonna see, isn't it? I'm not going to the other place, let's face it."

Former junkie Richards gave up his heroin habit in 1978 and eventually stopped using cocaine after his accident in 2006 in which he fell out of a tree, requiring brain surgery and a metal plate in his skull.

"I've given up everything now - which is a trip in itself."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in