Happy 68th Keith Richards: Dig the Stones at the Marquee in 1971

Rock Turtleneck wishes a Happy 68th Birthday to Keith Richards: bluesman, guitarist, singer, songwriter, best-selling author, survivor family man and world-class bon vivant.

To see Keef doing what he does best — i.e., rocking — check out the following 1971 club show from the Rolling Stones at the Marquee in London.

It's 37 minutes of the band at their absolute peak, right around the release of Sticky Fingers, which I would say is probably their single greatest album. And it's one of those YouTube clips you discover every once in a while that you can't believe actually exists. As Keith might say, "Marquee Show baby - where you been all my life? (gravelly laugh)

In addition to Keith, the Marquee Show also feautres plenty of handclaps and rooster moves from Sir Michael Jagger and some truly stunning guitar work from the much-missed Mick Taylor. Some really great versions here of the fresh Fingers material, particularly the stately Otis Redding style torch ballad "I Got the Blues."

There are rumors that Taylor may come back on board with the Stones as they embark on a (gasp) 50th anniversary tour next year. Keith and Mick, please make it so.

But without further ado, dig the Stones at the Marquee. Happy Birthday Keith - may you bury us all.