Keith Richards was once known for his wild and extravagant lifestyle as a member of the Rolling Stones, but he now appears to be rewriting the narrative with how fully he has embraced grandparenthood.
In a new interview, the legendary guitarist described himself as a “fantastic grandad” and revealed that he has recently become a great-grandfather.
Richards also reflected on finally listening to his body and scaling back some of his bad habits, while revisiting memorable moments from his past, including being punched by rock-and-roll icon Chuck Berry.
At 82, Keith Richards has reached the milestone of becoming a great-grandfather, a feat many might once have thought unlikely given how much of his early life was defined by heavy indulgence in drugs and alcohol.
Confirming the news in a recent interview with The Guardian, the legendary songwriter said the experience still feels new to him but that he is fully embracing his responsibilities.
“It’s been a couple of weeks. It’s a new thing for me. But I’m a fantastic grandad,” he revealed. “Great-grandadding is … I try to let them hang with me for as long as humanly possible, then I hand ’em back. I’ve been doing a lot of grandfathering in the last year or so. I’ve got three or four new ones, you know.”
Richards Reflects On Aging And Family
Being a great-grandfather seems to have brought with it not only new responsibilities but also a constant urge to reflect on the past.
“I mean, you do suddenly turn around and say: Christ, I’m 82. It’s a long thing to look back on,” the English musician continued elsewhere in the conversation.
Amid it all, he has found joy in that reflection, with his great-grandchildren playing a significant role.
“But it’s a fascinating thing, especially now we go into the whole great-grandkids thing. They suddenly give you another mirror to look into where you’re from,” he added. “I don’t know: is it called maturing or something like that?”
Keith Richards Explains How He Keeps Going
In previous interviews, Richards has been candid about his extensive drug and alcohol use, as well as the numerous near-death experiences he endured throughout his life. Now, reflecting on his shift toward a healthier lifestyle, the rock legend says the change came from finally listening to his body “just before it screamed for help.”
“I mean, I wasn’t far from the end of the runway before I screamed for help. But you tend to slow down if you want to keep going; you pace yourself,” he revealed.
Richards has since quit smoking and significantly reduced his use of other substances, including alcohol and heroin.
“Suddenly, I felt like, after all these years of smoking, because, you know, a man smokes, I was sat around with this silly thing in my mouth thinking: how childish. It was that that put me off more than anything,” he said of quitting smoking six years ago.
Richards Credits Chuck Berry For His Musical Path
Also reflecting on the past, Richards opened up about being inspired by the late rock-and-roll icon Chuck Berry.
He praised the singer’s talent, particularly the songs Berry recorded in his early years. According to Richards, they had “an ease about them and a sophistication in a way” that changed how he viewed rock and roll.
“I loved his naturalness when he was playing, the way he moved. His whole body became part of the guitar,” he added about the “Sweet Little Sixteen” crooner. “He made me focus on what was possible for me at the time, which made my mother shell out for an electric guitar. I just felt a natural affinity for him, even though he was a cussed bugger,” the singer also remarked about Berry.
Keith Richards Shares Memorable Chuck Berry Story
Richards was fortunate enough to meet Berry during his lifetime, sometime in the 1960s when the rock-and-roll pioneer was still at the height of his fame.
The encounter left him awestruck, but an attempt to cross a boundary by touching the icon’s guitar resulted in a moment he would never forget.
“He punched me once, years ago, in the 60s, I think,” Richards said of meeting Berry. “We were in his dressing room, I was having a peek at his guitar, and I was just about to stroke it, and he went: ‘Nobody touches it!’ And bam! Quite right, Chuck! I would have done the same. I’ve never had to, but then I’ve never caught someone doing that.”
