What would Keith Richards do_ - Jessica Pallington West [1]
Keith’s ability to survive has not just been a matter of having genes of steel. Much of it comes out of his uniquely “Keef ” way of looking at life—an attitude and vision that he’s fine-tuned over the years like a guitar. There’s a philosopher’s aesthetic in how he expresses it, a uniquely Keith quality. It’s the no-nonsense, salt-of-the-earth, been-there-done-that wisdom of a survivor.
The Tao of Keith is one of humanity, of seeing with clarity, and looking at the bigger picture of history and culture. There is a respect for the mystical and a reverence for the creative. It’s bullshit-free, human, and down to earth. Bemused, brave, and kind.
Imagine Abraham Lincoln with a skull ring, an earring, and a scarf. A little bit Ben Franklin and a little bit Billy the Kid. He’s a wise statesman mixed with back-alley tough, Buddha, and pirate. And what’s specifically unique about Keith is that he’s the first to take rock ’n’ roll as far as it can go. He’s rock ’n’ roll matured, a visionary and a rogue: a prophet minstrel who’s walked through fire. Rock’s first wise man is a symbol of survival, one knockdown after another. With Keith, we have a new form of guru: a modern, street-wise, urban guru.
As a symbol of staying power, the words, wisdom, and philosophy of Keith can be used as an example to improve your own life in times of confusion. There’s a whole doctrine that has grown up around Keith. It comes down to learning a set of Keith Richards Commandments—basic tenets and rules to follow. Through them, it’s quite possible that Keith Richards can save your life. Or at least save your ass.
The principles of Keithism come directly from his own words: Imparting wisdom through the numerous interviews he’s given along the way like a rock ’n’ roll Socrates holding court, Keith has talked about his run-ins with the law, his falling into and then out of trouble, defying death, and bouncing back. It’s a fairly simple philosophy to follow—no fancy tricks. The principles are down-home and plainspoken.
The tenets of this way of life are from the same side of town as the Ten Commandments. But remember, they’re coming from Keith Richards, the avatar of excess. And so the number of commandments is more than just ten.
Here are the Twenty-six Ten Commandments of Keith Richards.
Forget that other book about a Secret that will save you. Here are twenty-six secrets: rule-book tenets handed down not from Mount Sinai, but from Mount Been-There-Done-It, where the golden calf sings the blues and the Commandments are written out on unrolled cigarettes.
CHAPTER ONE
KEITH ISM:
THE TWENTY-SIX TEN COMMANDMENTS
OF KEITH RICHARDS
OR: HOW
KEITH RICHARDS
CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE
1. KNOW YOURSELF.
“To me, the main thing about living on this planet is to know who the hell you are and to be real about it. That’s the reason I’m still alive … I’ve lived my life my own way, and I’m here because I’ve taken the trouble to find out who I am.”
Above all, this is the golden rule of Keithism: know yourself. From this doctrine, all else will fall into place.
And, along with knowing yourself, know your limits. Know how much you can take on. Know how much you can take in.
Let this knowledge come from listening.
We are all a work of music—listen to the song. You might have to put the earplugs in every now and then, but that’s okay.
Once you have a sense of what your limitations are—how much, where, and when—it’s not so daunting to live with yourself. And you don’t need to fight so hard against it. If you are a slower person, so be it. If you have a quick temper, so be it again. If you can take only sixty-four steps a day, or can’t eat in crowds, or can’t resist the urge to dye your hair purple: fine. But if you break into hives every time your scalp feels the burn of the lavender dye: take heed. Accept your qualities and your limitations. Other people can tell you who you are, and who they think you are, but in the end, only you really know.
“You’ve seen it all, done it all. You’ve survived. That’s the trick, isn’t it? To survive?”—Jack Sparrow,