Then there were only three. The Rolling Stones were hit hard by the death of their bandmate, drummer and friend Charlie Watts last year. Despite this, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood want to continue. On Monday, the band confirmed an anniversary summer tour of 14 concerts in Europe, including Vienna on July 15. “The stones just keep rolling,” said the band’s Twitter account, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.
“There is no end in sight for me at the moment,” says guitarist Richards in an interview with the German Press Agency in London. The conversation takes place before the tour announcement, but the 78-year-old is already hinting at plans. “We don’t let 60 years go by without doing something,” says “Keef” and laughs.
He’s actually calling to talk regarding re-issuing his solo album Main Offender. But of course it’s also regarding the Rolling Stones, who had their first appearance under this name on July 12, 1962 in London’s Marquee Club. “I remember feeling like I was playing in a huge stadium,” Richards says with a laugh. “The Marquee was regarding the biggest club in London at the time. And we had basically only played in garages up to that point.”
Of today’s Stones line-up, only Richards and frontman Mick Jagger were there, with whom he then wrote countless hits like “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”, “Paint It Black”, “Brown Sugar” or “Miss You”. . From the garages it went through clubs to the big halls and indeed stadiums, where they still perform today.
But the congenial songwriter duo wasn’t always completely green. In the 80s, the relationship between the two was actually quite tense: Jagger had an eye on trends, wanted to modernize the Stones’ sound and image, Richards wanted to stay true to their musical roots. When Jagger refused to tour the Stones album Dirty Work (1986) to pursue his solo career, Richards released his debut solo album Talk Is Cheap in 1988.
For his band, the X-Pensive Winos, he recruited established musicians such as guitarist Waddy Wachtel and drummer Steve Jordan. “When you play with the Rolling Stones you’re like, ‘Well, that’s pretty much it, then,'” Richards says, amused. But back then he had been doing it for so long, “and the opportunity to play with other musicians was a completely new experience. Although I was an old hand, it gave me a new feel for the things I do. So I did it mostly for fun.”
Although he loves to sing himself, he prefers to stay in the role of guitarist full-time. “I already have an incredible singer and I have to make sure he has work,” jokes the rock legend. “My main job really is, and always has been, writing songs that Mick Jagger sings. Thats my job.”
The Rolling Stones continued in 1989, but the X-Pensive Winos didn’t end there. “I thought it was a one-time thing at the time, and that was great,” says Richards. “But two years later, everyone kind of insisted that we get back together.” So following the Stones’ massive Steel Wheels and Urban Jungle tours, he went back into the studio with the Winos and released Main Offender in 1992. .
The 30th anniversary reissue comes as a deluxe edition and includes a previously unreleased 1992 concert from London alongside the remastered album. “I had actually forgotten that we recorded it at all,” says the 78-year-old. “I really enjoyed that. You can record anywhere, but I think when you play in your hometown it’s just special.”
In addition to Richards’ solo tracks, the set list includes the wonderful soul number “Hate It When You Leave”, the Stones classic “Gimme Shelter” and “Before They Make Me Run”, which the cult guitarist often sings at Stones concerts. As can be seen in the booklet: The tickets for the show in London’s Town & Country Club, now called The O2 Forum Kentish Town, cost only 15 pounds (approx. 18 euros) at the time. One can only dream of prizes like this at the Stones today.
It is quite possible that Richards will soon be back on stage with the X-Pensive Winos. “It’s an interesting idea and there are discussions going on regarding it,” he says, somewhat hesitantly. “I’m not sure if I’m allowed to talk regarding it and I hardly know anything regarding it.” Even though it’s a phone call, he seems to say it with a wink.
Winos drummer Steve Jordan, with whom Richards is a close friend, now also plays with the Rolling Stones. After the death of longtime Stones drummer Charlie Watts last year, the 65-year-old took over his post. Watts once introduced his friend Jordan to Richards. He himself had suggested the drummer as a replacement for himself when he developed health problems.
Despite all the sadness for Watts – newcomer Jordan gave the group a boost of energy, says Richards. “I think the Rolling Stones want to see what we can do with the new cast.” Retirement? The word does not exist in his vocabulary, assures Keith Richards. “I think what I do, I’ll do until I drop.”
(The interview was conducted by Philip Dethlefs/dpa)
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