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Richards is best known by some for his drug habit (made famous by a drug arrest in Toronto in the 1970's). To this day wears a bracelet which resembles a pair of handcuffs, as a reminder he never wishes to be arrested again. He also wears a ring sculpted as a human skull (sans jaw).
Richards' guitar style has evolved over the life of the Stones. In the 1960's, he played a traditional rhythm guitar role in counterpoint to the more flamboyant lead style of Brian Jones. When Jones' drug habit led to his firing from the Stones and his 'death by misadventure', Richards was thrust into the role as sole guitarist for the band on the album 'Let It Bleed'. Keith developed his trademark playing style in the 5-string open G tuning (GDGBD, with the lowest pitched string removed) during this period. He subsequently teamed with Mick Taylor for what many term the high point of the Stones' musical career, and later with Ron Wood, in a style of mixed lead and rhythm playing which has been termed 'the ancient art of weaving'. Songs which typify Keith's open-G style include 'Honky Tonk Women'.