Keith Richards

For half a century Keith Richards has been the heart and soul of the world's greatest rock 'n' roll band, The Rolling Stones. A riff master of the highest order, his direct, incisive and catchy licks have energized such timeless rock anthems as Satisfaction, Start Me Up, Brown Sugar, Jumpin' Jack Flash and Honky Tonk Women. A disciple of such great guitarists and proto-rockers as Scotty Moore, Chuck Berry and Muddy Waters, Keith Richards has forged a personal vocabulary on the instrument that has influenced generations of aspiring rockers. As the songwriting partner of lifelong friend and frequent foe Mick Jagger, he formed an indelible team that has secured a spot in the Songwriters' Hall of Fame. The personal life of this larger-than-life rock star has been plagued by excessive recreational drug use. And yet, he is still here. The ultimate rock 'n' roll survivor, Keith Richards is still the bona fide guitar hero after all these years.