Keith Richards’ Closest Call With Death

Keith Richards has miraculously escaped death on numerous occasions. At 80 years old, he has survived strychnine poisoning, falling from a tree, a house fire, a long battle with heroin addiction, and even a collapsing library. These incidents have led many rock fans to humorously speculate about his immortality.

Richards often responds to his close calls with a mix of sarcasm and humor, seemingly convinced that he is cloaked in some form of invincibility. However, during a 2015 radio interview, Richards candidly admitted there was one moment that genuinely made him fear for his life.

When asked about the most terrifying event he had faced, Richards mentioned being in car accidents “a couple of times.” Car accidents have tragically claimed many lives in the rock world, such as Hanoi Rocks’ drummer Nicholas “Razzle” Dingley, making these experiences particularly harrowing for Richards. He vividly recalled “flying through the air in a Mercedes upside down” and feeling as though his life was about to end before crashing back to the ground. Despite these near-death experiences, Richards noted that he chose to continue living his life normally.

Reflecting on his most memorable brush with death, Richards said:

“Well, there’s been a few times of flying through the air in a Mercedes upside down and hitting the ground three times where you do kind of sort of get the hint that maybe this is it. But if it ain’t it, then you just carry on with life, right? I mean, boo, we all bump into death at one time or another, honey.”

Keith Richards remains an active performer, proving his resilience time and again. The Rolling Stones wrapped up their No Filter Tour in 2019, with Richards still going strong at his age. The band returned to the stage in September 2021, completing their tour in November 2021. Richards’ enduring presence on stage continues to amaze fans with his seemingly indestructible spirit.