‘Keith Richards: Under the Influence’ doc due Sept. 18 on Netflix
Keith Richards performs with the Rolling Stones in Atlanta on June 9.
Rolling Stones songwriter and lead guitarist Keith Richards is the subject of a new documentary, “Keith Richards: Under the Influence,” coming to Netflix in September in conjunction with the release of his first solo album in more than 20 years.
Director Morgan Neville, whose exploration of the careers of several backup singers “20 Feet From Stardom,” earned him an Academy Award, this time looks at one of the most colorful characters and widely respected songwriters and guitarists in rock music.
The documentary is scheduled to premiere Sept. 18, the same day Richards’ album “Crosseyed Heart” is to be released.
“If there’s a Mount Rushmore of rock ‘n’ roll, Keith’s face is surely on it,” Neville said in a statement. “He has always represented the soul of rock music -- for all of the light and dark shades that implies. To my relief, Keith Richards turned out to be a real man -- full of humor, knowledge and wisdom. That’s the real Keith we’ve worked to capture in our film.”
While working on “20 Feet From Stardom,” Neville intersected with Richards and the music of the Stones in profiling the career of singer Merry Clayton, who famously sang backup with the Stones, in particular the signature lines in the song “Gimme Shelter.”
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member took a comprehensive literary look back on his life in “Life,” his 2011 autobiography, and the documentary will explore the sounds and people who influenced his guitar playing and songwriting, much of it inspired by American blues, R&B, soul and country music.
It also will include some video shot in New York during the making of “Crosseyed Heart,” which was previewed for journalists and others last week in Los Angeles and New York. On Monday, Richards released the first video from one of the album’s songs, “Trouble,” on iTunes.
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MORE STONES:
Keith Richards announces first solo album in more than 20 years
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