Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards takes a look round HMS Victory
ROCK STAR Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards on the gangway of HMS Victory as he visited Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
IN HIS recent screen role as a pirate captain in the hit Pirates of the Caribbean movies, legendary Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards was trying to avoid the Royal Navy.
But in real life the mega-star is an avid history buff, and made a private visit to see Admiral Lord Nelson’s flagship HMS Victory.
The 67-year-old contacted the Historic Dockyard in Portsmouth to ask if they could arrange for him to have a look around outside regular visiting hours.
And the notoriously hard-living guitarist, known for hits such as Satisfaction, Jumpin’ Jack Flash and Paint it Black, proved to be anything but hard work during the visit with his family on Wednesday.
Dockyard spokeswoman Melissa Gerbaldi got to meet him and chat about his interest in all things navy, how he grew up reading CS Forester’s novels about Horatio Hornblower and then later Patrick O’Brian’s novels on which the blockbuster film Master and Commander was based.
Miss Gerbaldi said: ‘There was a real buzz on the site once we knew that he was paying us a visit. It’s not every day you have the chance to meet a rock legend. He had a real interest in all the attractions we have within the Historic Dockyard.’
He was reportedly left impressed by the intricacies of the rigging, having read about the restoration work taking place on the top masts.
Miss Gerbaldi added: ‘It was out of hours, but there was a function on in the museum opposite, so those lucky people got to meet him as well.
‘He was absolutely charming, very friendly and approachable.
‘He was stopping to say hello and taking time to talk to everyone and signing autographs.
‘I was trying to be professional and not be too fan-like, but it was difficult.’
Richards is not the only member of rock royalty to be fascinated by HMS Victory.
Last year Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry made a low-key visit – he later posted a picture of himself in front of the ship on his blog, calling it ‘a dream come true.’
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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Comments
There are 8 comments to this article
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sfwefwefwe
Sunday, July 31, 2011 at 02:32 AMComment removed by moderator
eastneyboy
Saturday, July 30, 2011 at 06:11 PMAround about £160 per head - includes drinks in the wardroom - and entry to the RN Museum for tea and biscuits.
Tick Tock
Saturday, July 30, 2011 at 09:25 AMThe voice of reason (occasionally) --post 2 ---Bang on 50 yrs snorting and now he visits the ship LOL ----eastneyboy ---post 4---- whats that price then ??
sonnerz
Friday, July 29, 2011 at 08:47 PMThe picture of Keiff visiting the Victory has made my day. I really hope he enjoyed it, it looks like he did. Proves anyone can like history!
eastneyboy
Friday, July 29, 2011 at 08:25 PMKeith Richards, like other celebrities who visit HMS Victory, paid for his visit. Substantially more than the usual admission price, however, as he also requested a guide working outside of normal opening hours.If anyone would like an individual guided tour during the evening hours, they can apply to the ship in the same way as Keith did - and pay the same price......
toffeedog2
Friday, July 29, 2011 at 04:21 PMi think there's nothing wrong with an out of hours visit , if you read the article it sounds like the staff enjoyed his visit and he didn't get bugged , if he went in normal hours people would have been looking at him and not the ship , but out of the ship and him who needs the most restoration
The voice of reason (occasionally)
Friday, July 29, 2011 at 03:34 PMAbout time too Keith,living just down the road for the best part of 50 years. Mindyou, I suppose you've been somewhat engaged elsewhere doing other things....if you know what I mean..
Tick Tock
Friday, July 29, 2011 at 11:57 AMWhy outside of normal hours ? I doubt anyone would recognise him if he had a hat and glasses on and if they did he would only have to say 'no it's not me, but I do get asked all the time' I hope he contributed some money for this priv !
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