Under the Influence: Keith Richards Opens Up About His Life and Career in Netflix Documentary
Review: Keith Richards: Under the Influence, in His Own Gravelly Words
If you are a fan of rock and roll, you probably know who Keith Richards is. He is one of the founding members and the lead guitarist of The Rolling Stones, one of the most influential and successful bands in history. He is also known for his distinctive style, his rebellious attitude, and his legendary lifestyle.
Review: ‘Keith Richards: Under the Influence,’ in His Own Gravelly Words
But do you really know him? Do you know what makes him tick, what inspires him, what drives him? Do you know how he became one of the greatest musicians of all time?
If you want to find out, you should watch Keith Richards: Under the Influence, a documentary that gives you an intimate and candid glimpse into his life and career. In this review, I will tell you what the documentary is about, why you should watch it, how it was made, what are its highlights and flaws, and how it compares to other documentaries about Keith Richards.
Introduction
Who is Keith Richards?
Keith Richards was born on December 18, 1943, in Dartford, England. He grew up in a working-class family and developed a passion for music at an early age. He met Mick Jagger, his future bandmate and friend, at primary school and they bonded over their love for blues and rock and roll.
In 1962, they formed The Rolling Stones with Brian Jones, Ian Stewart, Bill Wyman, and Charlie Watts. The band soon became a sensation in the UK and then in the US, with their catchy songs, their energetic performances, and their rebellious image. They also faced controversy and criticism for their lyrics, their drug use, their arrests, and their scandals.
Keith Richards was the main songwriter and guitarist of the band, along with Mick Jagger. He created some of the most iconic riffs and songs in rock history, such as (I Cant Get No) Satisfaction, Gimme Shelter, Sympathy for the Devil, Start Me Up, and many more. He also collaborated with other artists such as Chuck Berry, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Aretha Franklin, Tom Waits, and Johnny Depp.
He has been married twice and has five children and ten grandchildren. He has survived several near-death experiences, such as a car crash, a fire, a drug overdose, a brain surgery, and a fall from a tree. He has also published two autobiographies: Life (2010) and Gus & Me (2014).
What is the documentary about?
Keith Richards: Under the Influence is a documentary that was released on Netflix in 2015. It was directed by Morgan Neville, who won an Oscar for his previous documentary 20 Feet from Stardom (2013). It was produced by RadicalMedia, Tremolo Productions, and Jagged Films.
The documentary follows Keith Richards as he prepares to release his first solo album in 23 years, called Crosseyed Heart (2015). It shows him in various locations, such as his home in Connecticut, his studio in New York, his library in London, and his travels to Chicago, Nashville, and Jamaica. It also features interviews with his friends, family, and collaborators, such as Tom Waits, Steve Jordan, Waddy Wachtel, Buddy Guy, and Norah Jones.
The documentary explores the musical influences of Keith Richards, from blues to country to reggae to rock and roll. It also reveals the personal stories of Keith Richards, from his childhood to his adulthood, from his successes to his struggles, from his joys to his sorrows. It also showcases the creative process of Keith Richards, from his songwriting to his recording to his performing.
Why should you watch it?
You should watch Keith Richards: Under the Influence if you are interested in learning more about one of the most legendary and influential musicians of all time. You will get to see him in a different light, not as a rock star or a celebrity, but as a human being with a passion, a vision, and a voice.
You will also get to hear some of his new songs from Crosseyed Heart, such as Trouble, Heartstopper, Robbed Blind, and Illusion. You will also get to hear some of his classic songs from The Rolling Stones, such as Brown Sugar, Wild Horses, You Got the Silver, and Happy. You will also get to hear some of his favorite songs from other artists, such as Muddy Waters, Hank Williams, Gregory Isaacs, and Elvis Presley.
You will also get to enjoy some of the beautiful cinematography and editing of the documentary, which capture the essence and the atmosphere of each location and scene. You will also get to appreciate some of the insightful and humorous comments and anecdotes of Keith Richards and his interviewees, which add depth and personality to the documentary.
The Making of the Documentary
How did it start?
The documentary started as a simple idea: to film Keith Richards while he was working on his new solo album. Morgan Neville, the director, had met Keith Richards before when he was making 20 Feet from Stardom, which featured one of Keith Richards backup singers, Lisa Fischer. He was impressed by Keith Richards charisma and generosity and wanted to work with him again.
He pitched the idea to Keith Richards manager, Jane Rose, who agreed to let him film for a few days. He then assembled a small crew of four people: himself as the director and interviewer, Jeff Malmberg as the cinematographer, Graham Willoughby as the sound recordist, and Caitrin Rogers as the producer. They followed Keith Richards around with minimal equipment and interference.
They soon realized that they had more than enough material for a short film. They decided to expand the project into a feature-length documentary that would cover not only the new album but also the whole life and career of Keith Richards. They spent more than a year filming in various locations and interviewing more than 20 people.
Who are the people behind it?
The people behind Keith Richards: Under the Influence are some of the most talented and experienced professionals in the documentary industry. Here are some of them:
Morgan Neville: He is the director and interviewer of the documentary. He has won an Oscar for 20 Feet from Stardom (2013) and has made other acclaimed documentaries such as Wont You Be My Neighbor? (2018), The Music of Strangers (2015), Best of Enemies (2015), and Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain (2021).
Jeff Malmberg: He is the cinematographer of the documentary. He has also directed and edited documentaries such as Marwencol (2010), Spettacolo (2017), Ernie & Joe: Crisis Cops (2019), and We Are As Gods (2020).
Graham Willoughby: He is the sound recordist of the documentary. He has also worked on documentaries such as Searching for Sugar Man (2012), The Final Year (2017), The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley (2019), and The Dissident (2020).
or The Rolling Stones. There are many other documentaries that have been made over the years, some of them more comprehensive and critical than others. Here are some of them:
Gimme Shelter (1970): This is a documentary that follows The Rolling Stones during their 1969 US tour, which ended with the infamous Altamont Free Concert, where a fan was stabbed to death by a Hells Angel. It shows the chaos and violence that surrounded the band and their music.
Cocksucker Blues (1972): This is a documentary that chronicles The Rolling Stones during their 1972 North American tour, which was marked by drug use, sex, and debauchery. It shows the excess and decadence that characterized the band and their lifestyle.
The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus (1996): This is a documentary that captures The Rolling Stones performing in a circus-themed show in 1968, along with other artists such as The Who, Jethro Tull, Marianne Faithfull, and John Lennon. It shows the creativity and diversity that influenced the band and their music.
Crossfire Hurricane (2012): This is a documentary that celebrates the 50th anniversary of The Rolling Stones, from their formation in 1962 to their present day. It shows the evolution and endurance of the band and their music.
What are the alternative sources of information about Keith Richards?
If you want to learn more about Keith Richards, you can also check out some of the alternative sources of information that are available online or offline. Here are some of them:
His books: Keith Richards has written two autobiographies: Life (2010) and Gus & Me (2014). The first one is a detailed and candid account of his life and career, from his childhood to his adulthood, from his successes to his struggles, from his joys to his sorrows. The second one is a charming and touching tribute to his grandfather, who taught him how to play guitar and inspired him to pursue music.
His interviews: Keith Richards has given many interviews over the years, to various magazines, newspapers, radio stations, TV shows, podcasts, and websites. He has shared his stories, opinions, facts, and myths about himself and his music. He has also answered questions from his fans and critics.
His website: Keith Richards has an official website (https://www.keithrichards.com/), where you can find information about his latest news, events, albums, songs, videos, photos, merchandise, and more. You can also sign up for his newsletter and follow him on social media.
Conclusion
Summary of the main points
In conclusion, Keith Richards: Under the Influence is a documentary that gives you an intimate and candid glimpse into the life and career of one of the most legendary and influential musicians of all time. It explores his musical influences, his personal stories, and his creative process. It also shows him preparing to release his first solo album in 23 years.
The documentary is well-made and enjoyable, but it is not without its flaws. It lacks depth, balance, and originality. It does not go deep enough into the complex and controversial aspects of Keith Richards life and career. It does not present any opposing or contrasting views from his detractors or critics. It does not offer any new or surprising information or insights about Keith Richards.
If you want to learn more about Keith Richards, you can also check out some of the alternative sources of information that are available online or offline. You can read his books, watch his interviews, or visit his website.
Recommendation for the audience
I recommend Keith Richards: Under the Influence to anyone who is interested in learning more about one of the greatest musicians of all time. You will get to see him in a different light, not as a rock star or a celebrity, but as a human being with a passion, a vision, and a voice.
entertaining, and engaging. You will get to hear some of his new and old songs, see some of his beautiful and exotic locations, and appreciate some of his insightful and humorous comments and anecdotes.
Call to action
If you are interested in watching Keith Richards: Under the Influence, you can find it on Netflix. You can also listen to his new solo album, Crosseyed Heart, on Spotify or Apple Music. You can also follow him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube.
Thank you for reading this review. I hope you enjoyed it and learned something from it. If you did, please share it with your friends and family. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below. I would love to hear from you.
FAQs
What is the rating of Keith Richards: Under the Influence?
The documentary is rated TV-MA, which means it is intended for mature audiences only. It contains some strong language, drug references, and sexual content.
How long is Keith Richards: Under the Influence?
The documentary is 81 minutes long.
When was Keith Richards: Under the Influence released?
The documentary was released on September 18, 2015, on Netflix.
Who are some of the other artists that Keith Richards admires?
Some of the other artists that Keith Richards admires are Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Django Reinhardt, Les Paul, Chet Atkins, B.B. King, Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, The Beatles, The Kinks, The Who, The Byrds, The Beach Boys, The Velvet Underground, The Stooges, The Ramones, The Clash, The Sex Pistols, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Radiohead, U2, Coldplay, Adele, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and many more.
What are some of the other documentaries that Morgan Neville has directed?
Some of the other documentaries that Morgan Neville has directed are Shotgun Freeway: Drives Through Lost L.A. (1995), The Cool School (2008), Troubadours (2011), Pearl Jam Twenty (2011), 20 Feet from Stardom (2013), Best of Enemies (2015), The Music of Strangers (2015), Wont You Be My Neighbor? (2018), Theyll Love Me When Im Dead (2018), Quincy (2018), Shangri-La (2019), Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain (2021), and Becoming Led Zeppelin (2021). 71b2f0854b