Few are luckier when it comes to the consequences of their dangerous habits than Keith Richards. As a founding member of The Rolling Stones, he was one of the rock legends that still inspires young musicians. The band produced unforgettable hits like “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” and “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” as well as plenty more.
Richards often said that two writers on a song are better than one, and so he regularly worked with others, most often Steve Jordan. It must have worked since he joined the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1993. But his bad habits came back to bite him.
Gwen Stefani of No Doubt
Surprising as it might be, Stefani got her start as part of the rock band No Doubt, which released the hits “Don't Speak” and “Just a Girl” to great acclaim in the mid-nineties. Gwen's difficult relationship with fellow band member Tony Kanal was big tabloid news.
The band is still active, but Gwen ventured into a solo career in pop music, releasing her first studio album, “Love. Angel. Music. Baby.” in 2004. The album included the hits “Hollaback Girl” and “Rich Girl.” It was number seventy-two on the US Billboard 200 for the entire decade.
Gwen Stefani Today
Stefani has now ventured outside of music. She created her own clothing line, which was heavily inspired by Japanese culture. She was with the British musician Gavin Rossdale between 2002 and 2016, and the two had three sons together. Stefani's solo career has won her numerous awards.
Among the number include a World Music Award, an American Music Award, a Brit Award, and two “Billboard” Music Awards. Recently Gwen has joined the TV reality series “The Voice” as a judge, and she has been dating co-judge Blake Shelton since then. She's been in TV shows and movies, most famously in “The Aviator.”
Keith Richards Today
Not only did Richards struggle through his hardy rocker lifestyle, but a freak accident while in Fiji in 2006 almost took his life. It happened during The Rolling Stones' 2006 European tour, forcing them to reschedule a big number of shows.
Richards suffered a head injury when he climbed a tree to gather coconuts and fell out. At first, it was just a concussion, but it was later found to be far more serious, with him needing life-saving surgery. Thankfully, he made it. As for his relationship with Mick Jagger, he thinks the man is a snob but still loves him dearly.
Gene Simmons of KISS
Crazy face paint, outrageous antics, and wild, energetic music made KISS an unforgettable band for anybody who loved rock. They ruled the rock charts for most of the seventies, and if you're a fan of classic rock, you could probably belt out some of their hits (like “I Was Made For Loving You” and “Crazy Nights”) without having to look the lyrics up.
They've sold an astounding one hundred million records since they first hit the stage. Their wide mass appeal and fun music are just a few of the things that attracted fans to them.