Keith Richards Writes His Memoirs

Posted on May 17, 2007

Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards is writing his memoirs and his agent is shopping the proposal around. The New York Post reports that he wants $5 million for his autobiography:

Richards' London-based agent Ed Victor confirmed the plans to meet with major publishers in New York this summer. "It's not going to happen until July," Victor said, when reached in London. "It's way too early to talk about it." But at least one publishing source said that Victor has begun planting the seed with publishing bigs on this side of the pond. "He's looking for at least $5 million," said one top publishing executive. "[Richards] wants to make more than Eric Clapton."

Clapton was believed to have received just under $5 million for the world rights to "Clapton: The Autobiography," which is slated to hit in October with a massive 300,000 first printing from Doubleday. Victor represented Clapton in that deal as well. Victor calls a Richards autobiography potentially "the greatest rock 'n' roll book of all time."

In the early 1980s, Mick Jagger snagged a $1.6 million advance from Bantam for his life story, but returned it several years later. "We were told he said he couldn't remember enough to do a book," said Stuart Applebaum, a spokesman for Random House Inc., which also owns Bantam. Victor confirmed earlier reports in the British press that James Fox is Richards' collaborator. "He's known Keith for 30 years," said Victor, which should insure against a Jagger-like memory lapse

Ah yes, the infamous Mick Jagger memory lapse. Which was probably true, considering all the drugs and alcohol that have passed through his system since the 1960s. Thank heavens that Richards has a good friend to remember all the good times. And no doubt the last chapter will touch on Richard's role in the upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean sequel. Maybe Johnny Depp will do a cover blurb.

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