What was the name of the man who taught Keith Richards how to play guitar?

The story behind the answer

The man widely credited with teaching Keith Richards how to play guitar was Chuck Berry. More precisely, Berry was Richards's most important musical teacher and model: Richards learned by listening closely to Berry's records, copying his riffs, and absorbing his rhythmic approach.

Richards became fascinated with American rock and roll as a teenager, and Chuck Berry's guitar playing showed him how rhythm guitar could drive an entire band. Berry's mix of blues, country, and swing became a central part of Richards's style and later shaped the Rolling Stones' sound.

The wording does not mean Berry gave Richards a conventional series of private lessons. Richards learned largely from recordings and performance imitation, then eventually met and played with his hero. Other musicians influenced him too, including Scotty Moore and early blues artists, but Chuck Berry is the canonical answer to this trivia question. The Rolling Stones also recorded several Berry songs, strengthening the connection between the two guitarists.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Aug. 2026

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