KEITH TO MICK: 'TALK IS CHEAP'

Stones' Musical Marriage on the Rocks, 1988

It's early fall, 1988. Party invitation arrives at my desk in New York. Come celebrate the release of Keith Richards' debut solo album on Virgin Records, "Talk is Cheap." Whiskey Au Go Go, Sunset Strip, Los Angeles. Food, drink, and a short set by Keith and his band, the X-pensive Winos. I buzz into my editor's office. Can you talk to Keith when you're there?, she asks. I've already penciled in interview time through Keith's manager, Jane Rose. My editor says: "What are you waiting for? Call the Travel department, have a nice trip!"

Tout le monde of L.A. rock was at the party. It was the era of the MTV "hair bands," and, as the Dave Clark 5 sang in "Over and Over," "everybody there was there." I was on the balcony near a bar, and befriended a woman from Marina del Rey, who saw me taking notes and knew who all the high-ranking guests were. Guys from Ratt, L.A. Guns, Faster Pussycat. Only their hairdressers knew for sure. Members of U2, Slash from Guns 'N Roses, Jon Bon Jovi. Tom Waits. …