Random Most Insane Keith Richards Stories on Record (17 items)

(#13) That Time His Library Got The Upper Hand

Like any good creative type, Richards has a home library. But who would have ever thought that his books would turn on him? In 1998, at home in his library, he was standing on a chair to get down a book about Leonardo da Vinci's study of anatomy. Of course, he slipped and fell, with books tumbling down around him.

Richards broke three ribs and resulted in the postponement of a Rolling Stones tour. His thoughts on the incident? "It was one of those moments where you have to make a decision: take it in the ribs or take a shot in the temple on the desk. All part of life's rich pageant."

Source: Ultimate Classic Rock
(#10) That Time He Was Interviewed By Hunter S. Thompson
Words can't do it justice. Even before the interview begins, Richards defensively greets Hunter at the door with a cattle prod and it only gets weirder from there.
(#5) That Time He Fell Out Of A Palm Tree In Fiji

In 2006 (at age 62) Richards fell out of a palm tree he and Ronnie Wood were climbing (as they do, apparently) while vacationing with their families Fiji. He was then airlifted to the hospital, in order to have surgery on a blood clot in his brain. Yeah, at age 62.

He spent three weeks at the hospital in New Zealand and six weeks after the fall he was back on tour with the Stones.

Source: Daily Mail
(#8) That Time He Was In Town During The London Bombings

Richards and his mother were evacuated during the London Bombings in 1944. Upon returning to their home, they found some of their neighbors were killed and Richards's cot had been destroyed. Richards took this personally, later saying, "Hitler dumped one of his V-1s on my bed! He was after my a**, you know that!"

Source: Ultimate Classic Rock
(#11) That Time He Reportedly Got A Full Body Blood Swap

Did Keith Richards really go to Switzerland during the Stones' 1973 European tour in order to have all his blood swapped out to get cleaned up? Probably not. He has even said that he was "just fooling around" by spreading the story.

Source: Snopes
(#9) That Time He Almost Stabbed Donald Trump

In 1989, the Rolling Stones decided they'd like to end their Steel Wheels tour with a big pay-per-view broadcast show. However, the only viable location happened to be Donald Trump's Plaza Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City. The band was not pleased, wishing to not be associated with Trump. Their tour manager, Michael Cohl, said he would "control Donald Trump," and finally the band agreed, signing a contract with the hotel.
Prior to the show, the Stones had wanted to give an interview at a specific time. But who did they find in the pressroom when they arrived? That's right - Trump. Cohl argued with him for a bit, attempting to get him to back down, before going to the band in their dressing room. At this point (as Cohl tells it)... "Keith pulls out his knife and slams it on the table and says, 'What the hell do I have you for? Do I have to go over there and fire him myself? One of us is leaving the building – either him, or us.' I said, 'No. I'll go do it. Don't you worry."