Keith Richards’ early life subject of BBC documentary

The early life of Rolling Stones icon Keith Richards is to be the subject of an upcoming BBC documentary.

The guitarist will star in the Julien Temple-directed film Keith Richards: The Origin Of The Species which will air on BBC2 in July.

The BBC report the documentary focuses on the period up until the birth of the Rolling Stones and forms the centrepiece of the network’s My Generation season, which explores the history of pop music.

Richards says in the film: “There was a feeling late 50s/early 60s that there was a change coming. Harold Macmillan actually said it – the ‘winds of change’ and all that – but he didn’t mean it in quite the same way.

“I certainly felt that for my generation, what was happening and the feeling in the air was – it’s time to push limits. The world is ours now and you can rise or fall on it.”

Temple adds: “Listening to the early Stones as a kid changed everything for me. I felt a new way of living emerging, a new kind of person becoming possible – something I wanted to be a part of.

“And without a doubt I thought Keith Richards was the Origin Of The Species. This film sets out to explore how both he and the 60s in England came about.”

The BBC also report that in September, the Stones man will “hand pick” two nights of films and live performances for the Keith Richards’ Lost Weekend. Each evening will be introduced by Richards, who’ll explain the reasons behind his choices.

Broadcast times and final dates will be revealed in due course.

The Rolling Stones released Totally Stripped earlier this month – an extended version of 1995 unplugged set Stripped, which includes three live shows and a new edition of the Stripped documentary.

They’ll take part in the Desert Trip festival in California in October, alongside Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Neil Young, Roger Waters and The Who.

Mick Jagger, Keith Richards roles being cast for Exile On Main Street movie

Artists

Scott has spent 37 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, highlights deals, and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more. Over the last 12 years, Scott has written more than 11,500 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from news and features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.