The Rolling Stones’ iconic guitarist, Keith Richards, will be commemorated in a new Morgan Neville-directed Netflix original documentary out September 18. Entitled Keith Richards: Under the Influence, the doc promises to delve into Richards’ influences, his career as the Stones’ guitarist, and how his first solo album in 23 years came about.
Just last year, Neville won an Oscar for 20 Feet from Stardom, his doc delving into the secret lives of backup singers. While the film featured backup singers like Darlene Love and Judith Hill, it also had cameos from fellow rock stars like Bruce Springsteen, Sting, and the Stones’ frontman Mick Jagger. In the past, he has also produced rock documentaries on Pearl Jam, Johnny Cash, Iggy & the Stooges, and others.
“There’s no one who could bring this unprecedented look into the musical influences of Keith Richards to life as distinctively as Morgan Neville,” said Neflix exec Lisa Nishimura in a statement. “Our viewers around the world are going to love the rare moments he has captured.”
To tell Richards’ story, the film visits touchstones of his past: Chicago, where he first brushed with Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters, and Howlin’ Wolf; Nashville, where he explored his love of country music; and New York where he recorded the solo album with guitarist Waddy Wachtel and drummer Steve Jordan.
It certainly helps that Neville is a big fan of the guitarist. “If there’s a Mount Rushmore of Rock & Roll, Keith’s face is surely on it,” said Neville in a statement. “He always represented the soul of rock music — for all of the light and dark shades that implies. To my relief, Keith Richards turned out to be a real man — full of humor, knowledge and wisdom. That’s the real Keith we’ve worked to capture in our film and I’m honored to bring it to a global audience via Netflix.”
