When people talk about true rock ’n’ roll legends, Keith Richards’ name almost always comes up. While most people aren’t naturally built for a wild life, Richards seems like he was born for it. Everything about his music, his attitude, and even his chaos feels like second nature.
Keith Richards is the perfect example of a rock star: a natural rebel, a lover of loud music, and someone who lived on his own terms. But beneath all the madness was a serious musician who cared deeply about the sound he was creating.
From the beginning, Richards followed the blues heroes he admired, like Muddy Waters and Buddy Guy. But he didn’t stop at copying them — he took rock and roll’s basic building blocks and turned them into something raw and powerful. Think of songs like “Gimme Shelter” or “Satisfaction.” They aren’t fancy, but they feel alive because Richards played with attitude, not just skill.
When you look back at The Rolling Stones’ long list of albums, you see a band that was constantly experimenting. They borrowed tricks from their rivals, The Beatles, but they also created their own magic. A great example is “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” where Richards mixed acoustic and electric guitars to make a unique, gritty sound.
Even though he mainly played guitar, Richards sometimes stepped up to the microphone. At first, he only sang with Mick Jagger on a few tracks. But over time, he grew more confident and started singing his own songs, like “Salt of the Earth” and “Happy.” These songs showed a different side of him — rough, honest, and full of heart.
By the late 1970s, the band needed a change. Their love for electric blues was still there, but they wanted to try new styles. Their album Some Girls shows this clearly. It has everything from the disco feel of “Miss You” to the fast, punk-like energy of “Respectable.”
In the middle of this album is Richards’ powerful song “Before They Make Me Run.” It’s one of the most personal songs he ever made, talking about pressure, mistakes, and refusing to give up. He sings it with so much conviction that you can tell the words mean something to him.
But making the song wasn’t easy. Richards later said he stayed in the studio for five straight days trying to get it right. Engineers would fall asleep under the desk, wake up, and take turns helping him finish the track. By the end, everyone looked exhausted — but the song was finally complete.
Despite the long, difficult process, the result was worth it. “Before They Make Me Run” became one of Richards’ best solo moments within The Stones catalog. It takes his classic style and adds a punk-like energy that makes it feel different from anything else he’d done.
In the end, Keith Richards’ story is more than just rock-star chaos. It’s about a musician who poured everything he had into his craft. His riffs may sound simple, but they shaped the sound of rock ’n’ roll. His style wasn’t flashy — it was unforgettable.
Keith Richards didn’t just play rock music.
He lived it.
And that’s why his legacy still stands strong today.