April 4, 2007 17:00

World reacts to Keith Richards 'snorting dad' story

The Rolling Stone's comment to NME has the globe talking

Photo Gallery: The Rolling Stones
Photo: Pa Photos

NME’s Keith Richards exclusive - that he had snorted the ashes of his father - has become an international talking point (April 4).

As well as being reported by every UK paper, the story about The Rolling Stones' guitarist has been reported by newspapers, wire services and TV and online outlets throughout the world, from Australia to India.

BBC, The Associated Press, Forbes, The Drudge Report and E! Online are just some of the news services which have reported it.

American Thinker describe the guitarist's act as "Oedipal cannibalism", while news agencies described the tribute as part of a "drugs binge".

The story's impact clearly took The Rolling Stones camp by surprise, with Richards manager Jane Rose trying to play down the story, claiming it was "said in jest", while his UK spokesman not only struggled with the story but today's date suggesting: "It was an off-the-cuff remark... file under April Fool’s joke”.

However as NME's Mark Beaumont, who conducted the interview, explained, the comment was no quip, but came about about after much thinking on the guitarist's behalf.

"He didn't offer the information, I had to ask him a couple of questions to get the information out of him," said the writer. "He didn't come straight out with that."

As previously reported in this week’s issue of NME Keith Richards said: “The strangest thing I’ve tried to snort? My father. I snorted my father.

“He was cremated and I couldn’t resist grinding him up with a little bit of blow. My dad wouldn’t have cared, he didn’t give a shit. It went down pretty well, and I’m still alive.”

To read the full transcript of the interview the world is talking about go here.

Meanwhile what do you think of Richards' bizarre tribute? Send you opinions to news@nme.com with Keith in the subject line and we'll publish the best.