Mid-Week Birthday Song: Keith Richards

The Rolling Stones' famed guitarist Keith Richards, who turns 76 today, would probably be the most surprised of anyone that he's reached that age. After years of what one would politely call "hard living," Richards has survived and managed to continue his contribution to rock music, whether by dint of good genes, good luck, or both. He's received nearly every accolade for a guitarist in his 50+ year career, including Rolling Stone magazine's ranking of him as the 4th greatest guitarist in rock music history. He's also managed to make humorous appearances in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie franchise, as Johnny Depp / Jack Sparrow's father. His 1992 solo album, Main Offender, showcased Richards' guitar and singing talents, and our mid-week song is a track from that album (which he co- wrote with Steve Jordan), "Eileen."

Mid-Week Birthday Song

Congratulations to Rolling Stones legendary guitarist Keith Richards and co-founder for surviving to his 75th birthday, which was yesterday. Richards co-wrote most of the Stones' hits with Mick Jagger, including the lovely "As Tears Go By," "The Last Time," "Satisfaction," "Angie," and many dozens more. He was named the 4th most influential guitarist of the rock era by Rolling Stone Magazine, and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1993. His run-ins with the law and his various drug addictions threatened to end his career many times, but he managed to pull himself out with the help of his wife of 35 years Patti Hansen.

Here's a song written by the Richards/Jagger duo that appeared on their 1972  "Exile On Main Street" album: "Happy." We chose it because it's one of the relatively few songs where Richards, and not Jagger, sing lead. This video is from their historic concert on Copacabana Beach in Rio, which drew a record 1.5 million people. Enjoy.

Weekend Music Twofer

Happy 72nd (!) birthday today to primo Rolling Stones guitarist and composer Keith Richards.  First of all, Keith Richards managed to live to 72?!?  The authentic Stone, Richards wrote many of the Stones' hits along with that Tory guy, and was the key guitarist for the entirety of the Stones' fabled career.  We're featuring a song he co- wrote (with that Tory guy) and on which he played both rhythm and lead guitar, "Gimme Shelter," and of which it was said,

The song is highly influential in that Richards played it in his new open tuning, making the guitar riff among the most unique and recognizable in rock history.

The song also features a wailing Merry Clayton vocal.

We're also featuring a song released earlier this year by Los Angeles based band Geronimo Getty, "Greyhound Blues," which has, IMO, echoes of the Flying Burrito Brothers and John Prine.

Look Who's Turning 70 Mid-Week Song

Who would have thought that legendary Stones guitarist and composer Keith Richards would have survived to see his 70th birthday, which is tomorrow?  His drinking and drug abuse -- which he's apparently kicked -- and general wear and tear on his body of five decades of rock stardom almost ruined him.  He co-wrote a large number of the Stones' songs with Sir Mick Jagger (gotta smile at that one), among them some beautiful ballads, one of which we feature today:  "Back Street Girl".  It's a song about a woman who is the mistress of a callous man at a much higher social strata.  The use of harpsichord, vibraphone and accordion make this one of the more un-Stones-like songs.  Early happy birthday to an unlikely survivor.