Keith Richards is to explore his formative years in a BBC documentary and curate “an incredible weekend” for the broadcaster.
For BBC Two, Keith Richards – The Origin Of The Species is a 60-minute film by acclaimed director Julien Temple, in which he journeys back to his formative years during the post-war era. This film is the centrepiece of the BBC’s My Generation season.
Speaking in the film, Keith Richards says: “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.”
Julien Temple says: “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.”
Cassian Harrison, Channel Editor, BBC Four, says: “Keith Richards is undoubtedly one of the key icons of our age. His film for BBC Two will be a fascinating exploration into the post-war years, how they impacted both his life and others and influenced the 60s and the decades that followed. And his curated weekend of programmes for BBC Four will be a thrilling musical journey for viewers – giving an extraordinary and unique insight into Keith’s passions and inspirations.”
Meanwhile, for BBC Four this September, Keith Richards’ Lost Weekend will feature two nights of programming all hand-picked by Richards. Each night will feature an introduction by Richards – specially-filmed by Julien Temple – talking about the reasons behind his selections and inspirations.
Uncut: the spiritual home of great rock music.