Keith Richards Documents Rock Roots

Keith Richards

A new film about Keith Richards unexpectedly evolved from the story of making his latest solo album into a study of the huge influence of blues, country and even reggae on his music, the renowned Rolling Stones guitarist said on Thursday.

The documentary "Keith Richards: Under the Influence," had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on Thursday ahead of its release on Netflix Sept. 18.

The movie was originally meant to document the making of "Crosseyed Heart," his first solo album in more than 20 years. But under director Morgan Neville, who won an Oscar for "20 Feet from Stardom," the focus shifted to where his music comes from.

"There was no plan on this. At the same time, during the making of it, at least halfway through, I realized that that was what was happening," Richards told Reuters ahead of the premiere.

Richards, 71, said both the film and making the album, which features rock, reggae and country songs, gave him a new appreciation of his influences, including less obvious ones such as the role of his music-loving mother.


Growing up in post-war Britain, Richards said his home was filled the music of Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald.

"It was all good stuff. In other words if you're growing up at 4 years old and you can sing Billie Holiday songs, you realize that 'ya, brought up on the blues without even knowing it,'" he said.

Richards said when the band first came to America, they found it "astounding" blues wasn't better known.