If you told anyone in the 1960s that Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones would not only live long enough to be a grandfather, but would also live long enough to write a children’s book, they wouldn’t believe you. But somehow, he has and the book hit store shelves this week.
The book, Gus & Me: The Story of my Granddad and My First Guitar, was announced back in March and was written with his daughter, Theodora Richards, who provided the illustrations. Richards did write the text, which was inspired by a story he featured in his best-selling memoir, Life, about the impact his grandfather, Theodore Augustus Dupree, had on his life.
“I've realized, you know, it's time to make grandpas hip,” Richards, 70, told Today’s Matt Lauer.
Richards added that he hopes the book makes grandchildren more aware of the fact that they even have grandparents and, surprisingly, vice versa. “But at the same time, I'm hoping it works in reverse. I mean, the grandparents recognize and realize that they have grandkids, and (they need) to tighten that bond,” Richards said.
The legendary guitarist also spoke with the BBC about the book, noting that it helped him realize that “growing up isn't so bad after all.”
You can get Gus & Me at bookstores starting today, so you can add it to the growling list of children’s books from rock stars. Bruce Springsteen jumped into that field last month with a book based on his song “Outlaw Pete.”
image courtesy of Kristin Callahan/ACE/INFphoto.com