Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones performs in Vienna in July 2022.Photo:HANS KLAUS TECHT/APA/AFP via Getty
HANS KLAUS TECHT/APA/AFP via Getty
After six decades withThe Rolling Stones,Keith Richardsis just as enthusiastic about rocking out on the guitar.
The legendary guitarist, 79, opened up about living with arthritis and how it’s affected the way he plays his instrument in a new interviewwith the BBC.
“It’s a sort of benign version,” the rock icon — whose band is about to release their first album in 18 years,Hackney Diamonds— continued.
“I think if I’ve slowed down a little bit it’s probably due more to age,” he said.
He even shared a positive perspective on continuing to play as he approaches turning 80 on Dec. 18. He added, “Also, I found that interesting, when I’m like, ‘I can’t quite do that any more,’ the guitar will show me there’s another way of doing it.”
“Some finger will go one space different and a whole new door opens,” the rocker explained. “And so you’re always learning. You never finish school, man.”
Keith Richards and Mick Jagger.Nils Petter Nilsson/Getty
Nils Petter Nilsson/Getty
Richards, who famously embraced a rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle with a great deal of partying throughout much of his career, has been outspoken about improving his health in the past couple of years.
Last year, the rock star said in an interview withCBS Sunday Morningthat hequit smoking cigarettesafter 55 years with the help of nicotine patches.
He later shared on theWTF with Marc Maronpodcast that putting down cigarettes ended up giving him “a lot more air in the lungs and in the voice, more stamina.”
In 2018, he also revealed toRolling Stonethat he"pulled the plug” on drinking, save for the occasional glass of wine or beer.
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The band, which is currently made up of Richards,Mick JaggerandRonnie Wood,announced a new albumwas on the way and officially due out Oct. 20 with a special event in London in early September.
The project marks the first record from the “Paint It, Black” hitmakers since the death of theirdrummer Charlie Watts, who joined the band in 1963 and died at age 80 in August 2021.Steve Jordan, who Watts suggested as his replacement, has since joined the group.
The Rolling Stones have already released several tracks from Hackney Diamonds: “Sweet Sounds of Heaven,” a collaboration withLady GagaandStevie Wonder, and “Angry,” whicharrived along with a music videostarringSydney Sweeney.
source: people.com
