Keith Richards Wins Mailer Prize for Memoir

The Rolling Stones legend took home the prize for Distinguished Memoir

Keith Richards is still living the "Life."

The 67-year-old Rolling Stones guitarist was awarded the Mailer Prize for DIstinguished Biography for her memoir, "Life," in a ceremony in New York.

"This is one for the books, if you get my drift, you hacks," the scruffy rocker joked as he took the podium.

Former President Bill Clinton was on hand, and introduced Richards, calling him "my friend" and "a good guy." He also revealed that his late mother-in-law, Dorothy Rodham, was a big fan.

"Do you have any idea what it's like to have a 92-year-old groupie living in your home, a woman who lived and breathed for the Rolling Stones?" joked Clinton.

Richards worked the room while accepting the award, peppering his speech with his usual bawdiness. He did acknowledge his fellow nominees and winners, and touched upon his longtime battle with heroin addiction recounted in "Life."

"You've heard from some incredible people about some serious stuff," Richards said. "The only serious stuff I'm interested in I've given up."

The Mailer Prize is named after distinguished author Norman Mailer, who died in 2007. Other winners have included Toni Morrison, Orhan Pamuk, and Elie Wiesel.

Selected Reading: San Francisco Chronicle, NPR, Newsweek

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