Keith Richards Says The Stones Are Ready To Rock Again

Keith Richards might have talked a lot of crap on Mick Jagger in his new autobiography “Life,” but in a recent interview the guitarist says the bandmates could never really insult each other and that The Rolling Stones plan to tour again next year.

“If you’re working with a guy for 40 odd years, obviously you’re going to come up against a bit of conflict. In fact some if it produced some of our best songs. So I have nothing against that. But at least we’re still together and hope to work together next year,” Richards told BBC Radio’s 6 Music in an interview that was posted online today.

“Everybody is ready to go out there again. And who said it should stop and who said when? That’s what we want to find out. We’ll know when it really comes to an end with a crashing halt.”

Photo: AP Photo / Las Vegas Review-Journal

Mick Jagger and Keith Richards strut their stuff at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

The guitarist said the band plans to head to the studio in December or January to work on new music together.

“Oh there are gems in the vaults … After this many years working together, we have a lot of unfinished stuff to work on that we had to leave off the last album. And knowing Mick, as I do, he’s a very prolific writer. I have ideas [too] … We’re looking forward to working together.”

Richards confirmed that his bandmates weren’t too shook up about the stories he shared in “Life,” which was released Oct. 26.

“Most of those stories were 30 or 40 years old. Mick and I couldn’t insult each other if we tried. … Otherwise, I don’t know about Charlie. He’s a slow reader. Generally I’ve got a pretty good review from the band,” Richards said.

The Rolling Stones last performed together in August 2007 with a three-night stand at The 02 in London. The band’s most recent studio album, A Bigger Bang, was released in 2005.

Click here to listen to the BBC Radio interview.