“Under the Strings: A Closer Look at Keith Richards”

For decades, Keith Richards has been more than just the guitarist of The Rolling Stones—he’s been a symbol of rock & roll itself, a living legend whose riffs and swagger defined an era. Now, in a new documentary set to arrive on Netflix, we’re invited to step behind that myth — to explore the man behind the Gibson, the creative engine behind the hits, and the private soul beneath the public persona.

A Legend Under The Lens

From the hush of the studio to the roar of the stage, Richards’s career has always been one part music-history, one part myth-making. His signature guitar tone, his untamed energy, his ability to channel blues, country, and rock into something timeless — it all points to a figure larger than life. Yet legends often hide their most interesting moments in the spaces between the lore.

This documentary sets itself apart by promising those in-between moments: the riffs born in quiet hours, the backstage conversations rarely photographed, the regrets and reflections often left out of the glossy rock narrative.

What the Trailer Teases

The officially released trailer opens like a cracked window into Richards’s universe: studio shots of him picking his guitar, candid conversations about songwriting, archival footage that catches him in younger, wilder days — and quieter ones too. In a moment the trailer lingers on, Richards reflects on time passing, on legacy, on what it means to still create when the world expects you only to rest on past glories.

We glimpse him discussing the origins of his signature style — the raw blues he first heard, the country twang he flirted with, the soul that crept into his phrasing. The trailer emphasises that this isn’t simply the story of “greatest hits” but of influences, processes, and a life lived very loudly.
The film’s promotional materials describe it as “a journey to discover the genesis of his sound as a songwriter, guitarist and performer.” (Netflix Media Center)

Beyond the Stage: The Real Story

What makes this documentary especially compelling is the promise of vulnerability. For someone whose image has been built on rebellion and rock-star excess, this film appears ready to explore the toll that lifestyle exacts — the substance risks, the relationships strained, the quiet moments when the amplifier is off and the guitar is silent.

The trailer suggests Richards is not just looking back at his triumphs, but at what keeping up the myth has cost — and what creating means now, decades in. It’s a turn away from spectacle and toward introspection.

For Fans & Newcomers Alike

If you’ve followed the Rolling Stones for years, you’ll recognise the chords, the swagger, the history. But this film offers something more: the chord changes behind the songs, the moments of doubt between the tours, the human being who picks up the guitar again and again not out of habit, but out of love. For newer audiences — those who know Richards through classic rock or cultural legend — this is your chance to meet the man, not just the myth.

Why This Matters Now

In an era when rock & roll’s giants are fewer, and the narrative often about nostalgia, this documentary breaks tradition by looking forward in Richards’s story rather than simply backward. It reminds us that creativity isn’t always bound to youth, that influence is layered, and that even icons evolve.

Watching Richards reflect on aging, on changing the game, on letting go of the idea of “untouchable rock god” — that’s the unexpected gift of the film. The trailer hints at him grappling with what’s next even as he honours what’s been.

Final Thoughts

The trailer for this documentary is a reminder: history isn’t just the albums you’ve bought or the concerts you attended. It’s the sound that still sets your heart racing, the notes you didn’t hear before, the human story you didn’t know. For Keith Richards, it’s an invitation to step out of the shadow of his legend and into his own light.

For the fan who’s known every riff, the curious soul discovering rock’s roots, or the observer wondering what happens after the final encore — this film looks like it will deliver.

If you’d like, I can pull up the link to the trailer, some behind-the-scenes stills, and the exact release date on Netflix.