If you've never touched skullrings with Keith Richards, here's the next best thing

Hey listen: if you ever get the chance to get your photo taken with Keith Richards, go for it.

But you'd better hurry up.

I lucked out when I wangled a backstage pass for his gig at the Orpheum back when Richards was touring behind the Main Offender album. When the record label-arranged opportunity came to pose with him I suggested we touch skullrings for posterity, and the living legend happily played along. Boom! Best rock souvenir ever.

For all you jealous Keith Richards freaks out there who wish to hell that you'd touched skullrings with him, don't feel too bad, because this weekend there's a much more honourable way to wallow in his ultra coolness. Keithmas 2 is a tribute to Keef that takes place at the Fairview on Saturday (December 17) and will feature some of the rockingest acts in town performing Stones tunes and Richards solo numbers, with all proceeds to the Vancouver Food Bank.

The event is being organised by John Hewer and former D.O.A. drummer James Hayden, who've been putting on shows at the Fairview for the last year-and-a-half or so under their Hidden Charms banner. They arranged the first Keithmas show last year, and the followup will include performances by Joey Keithley, Greenback High, Rich Hope's Blue Rich Rangers, Poolhall Gospel--featuring former gonzo journalist Carl Spackler of Nerve Magazine fame--Ali Milner, the Vipers, and Childsplay, plus members of Neko Case's Boyfriends, Black Mountain, Spoon River, the Vicious Cycles, and the Odds.

"Colin James will be appearing with three-quarters of the Odds, which is kinda wild," says Hewer, who wouldn't mind owning a photo of himself touching skullrings with Keef. "How can you not be a fan of Keith Richards if you like rock 'n' roll?", he ponders.

Tix for Keithmas 2 are $10 at the door ($5 with a non-perishable food item), but you'd better get there early. "It'll probably be packed," notes Hewer.

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