Marianne Faithfull has questioned the veracity of certain parts of Keith Richards‘ recent – and increasingly notorious – autobiography, Life.
Life was published in 2010 and contains Richards’ own account of his drug-heavy past, as well as some calculated barbs at bandmate Mick Jagger, including revealing some choice nicknames for the singer, saying he has been ‘unbearable’ since the 80s and, outrageously provocatively, that former Jagger flame Faithfull “had no fun with his tiny todger. I know he’s got an enormous pair of balls – but it doesn’t quite fill the gap.”
Now, in an interview with Spinner, Faithfull has cast doubt on some of the autobiography’s tales, and expressed regret over Richards’ treatment of Jagger.
She said, “[The book is] not completely accurate, no, but I liked it very much. I don’t think accuracy really matters.
“I think he made a few mistakes. I wish he hadn’t said those awful things about Mick, I think that was a bit much. I happen to know that Michael Peach is the editor and he’s always been trying to get someone to say that. He wanted me to say that and I would never do it, but I would have gotten more money if I had.”
The 64-year-old Faithfull released her eighteenth studio album, Horses and High Heels, earlier this year. The album was a collection of covers and original songs.
Speaking of her particularly sparse and soulful voice, she said, “[My voice] is not pretty. If people could see my voice more like Neil Young or Bob Dylan, they won’t get such a shock.”
She also stated that she has long been uncomfortable with the fact she is immediately associated with the Rolling Stones, drugs, the 60s and excess in many people’s minds, saying, “I don’t like being associated with drugs and Mick Jagger – it’s the association I don’t like.
“People change. I know the media can’t accept that, but, between you and me, they do change. Since 1985 I haven’t done drugs. That’s a long time.”
Faithfull’s achievements were recently acknowledged when she was awarded the Commandeur of L’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, one of the highest accolades for contributions to French culture.
