What is Keith Richards' real name?

Keith Richards’ real name is Keith Richards. He was born on December 18, 1943, in Dartford, Kent, England, and became the guitarist and co-principal songwriter of the Rolling Stones.

The common confusion comes from a period when he was publicly known as Keith Richard, without the final “s.” Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham encouraged the shortened version in the 1960s because he thought it looked more commercially appealing and echoed the name of singer Cliff Richard.

That shortened form was a stage name rather than a different birth identity. In 1978, Richards returned to using his family name with the final “s” in both public and private contexts.

Richards met Mick Jagger again in the early 1960s after the two had known each other as children. Their songwriting partnership produced many Rolling Stones classics, including “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” and “Gimme Shelter.”