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Keith Richards Kills Orchid With Secondhand Smoke

Guitarist smoked in New York library exec's office before giving talk; plant died days later

December 9, 2010 12:14 PM ET
Keith Richards
Keith Richards at the New York Public Libray, October 29, 2010 in New York City.
Kevin Mazur/WireImage

An executive at the New York Public Library claims that Keith Richards killed her plant by smoking near it.

The plant, an orchid, died a few days after Richards gave a talk at the library on October 29 about his recent memoir, Life.

Photos: Exclusive 'Life' Excerpt: Keith Richards On The Debaucherous 1972 Rolling Stones Tour

Marie d'Origny, deputy director of the library's Cullman Center for Scholars and Writers, said the guitarist was in her office before his talk. Even though the building is officially smoke-free, he lit up in her office anyway.

Photos: Keith Richards on the Cover of Rolling Stone

The plant's flowers fell off four days later.

Q&A: Richards on Brian Jones, Mick Jagger and Life

D'Origny stressed that Richards was "very much a gentleman" and autographed the saucer that held the plant's pot — which he'd used as an ashtray.

Rolling Stones legend Keith Richards smokes cigarette, kills library plant, during 'Life' book talk [New York Daily News]

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