TIME
IS ON OUR SIDE
The
2010s
I don't
know where (the rumors of my leaving the Stones) came from. I
don't
know why they picked on me. And why would I want to leave?
We're not
doing anything. (Laughs) What am I leaving? Do you know what I
mean?
-
Charlie Watts, January 2010

There's
no definite plans, but I can't see any of (the Stones)
stopping. I
wouldn't be surprised if we did something later this year. I
don't know
how the rest of them feel about roadwork at the moment. Maybe
we'll
search for a different way for the Stones to go back on the
road. Maybe
not the football stadiums anymore. Maybe something different.
You can't
go around there in lemon-yellow tights forever.
-
Keith Richards, February 2010
You're
always thinking of new songs. Or rather, the new songs are
thinking of you. I never sit down and say, Oh, it's songwriting time.
But every now and again, a certain note or a certain chord
sort of
rings a bell, and you grab a guitar and go, I must remember
that.
-
Keith Richards, February 2010, on finding new song ideas
during work on the Exile outtakes
Hey,
you're asking me? You better ask Mick that one (laughs). But
my feeling
is that, generally, people get itchy at a certain time. I'm
sort of
waiting for a phone call, you know?
-
Keith Richards, February 2010, asked if Mick wants to
record a new album
I just
sent Charlie a note saying, Charlie,
what's Mick doing? Should I put an available ad in Jazz News or something,
like, Guitar player
available? I feel a bit itchy, you know. It's been a
couple years. There's something inside you that just starts to
scratch.
-
Keith Richards, March 2010
I
don't know (about the Stones' future plans), I'm going to
hopefully
find out soon, I'm going to be seeing Mick next week or
something, so
I'm going to try and screw some information out of him. You've
got to
have everybody want to do it, so I usually wait for a call
from Mick
saying, Let's make
something, let's do something,
because without his actual "want to do it", then there's not
much
point. But I'm always working, I've got ideas for stuff, but I
haven't
put them together yet with Mick.... (B)ut I don't think (we'll
tour)
this year, not that I've heard. The suggestion is that there
would be a
record on instead.
-
Keith Richards, May 2010
I
don't know what the future of the Rolling Stones (is). Very
good, I
should think. And we look forward to doing more concerts.
Yeah, I'm
sure we will.
-
Mick Jagger, May 2010
I’m
sure we will (tour again). It would be stupid to say there
won’t be
another Stones tour because I love doing them and I always
imagine
there would be another Stones tour. When that’s going to be I
don’t
really know at this point.
-
Mick Jagger, May 2010
I
don't know yet (when we'll tour) but I look forward to doing
it.
-
Mick Jagger, May 2010
We have
all agreed th(e next tour) won't be the last time. Everyone's
rocking.
-
Ron Wood, July 2010
We're
having discussions for the moment. We're telling ourselves
that, if we
do something, it'll be next year or in two years. We're
getting at an
age where you can't project yourself too far into the future.
Celebrating our 50 years onstage would be incredible.
-
Charlie Watts, September 2010
(W)e're
due for our summit meeting, where we all sit around a table
and
bullshit.... Everyone's got itchy feet. We'll know something
by
December.
-
Ron Wood, September 2010
Well,
it's always been "next year" - it's been like that for two
years. We'll
go on the road when Keith's bored, when his book's out of the
way and
he's bored, and Ronnie's bored. At the moment, they're both
not bored.
Bored enough, I mean. So I think that will happen. How long
and how we
do it will be another thing. It takes a lot of thought, an
awful lot,
and it usually takes a lot of time.
-
Charlie Watts, October 2010
People
say, Why don't you give up?
I can't retire until I croak. I don't think they quite
understand what
I get out of this. I'm not doing it just for the money or for
you. I'm
diong it for me.
-
Keith Richards, Life
(2010)
(W)e'll
be on the road again in the future. Yeah. On the road. I think
it's
going to happen. I've had a chat with Her Majesty. Brenda.
-
Keith Richards, October 2010
(Right
now w)e're whispering - I wouldn't say talking. I'm getting
hints. And
I'm always ready. Mick and I spoke about a month ago in New
York. It's
at that mumbling stage. But I had some outtakes from the last
sessions
we did (for A Bigger Bang)
and said, Just to jog your
memory... So there's interaction. You don't want to
push it too hard.
-
Keith Richards, October 2010
We're
looking forward to going on tour next June.
-
Keith Richards, November 2010
Everybody's
ready
to go out there again. Who said it should stop, and who said
when? Only we will know when it comes to an end, with a
crashing
halt... After these 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) and we'll put them together in December or
January.
We're looking forward to working.
-
Keith Richards, November 2010
I
get whispers, ideas. I have a feeling that we'll be working
next year.
I don't know if it'll be in January but next year if all goes
well. I
get the feeling that Mick wants to get on the road.
-
Keith Richards, November 2010
I
kind of got a hint of an itch from Mick (laughs) and we
started to talk
about possibilities of next year and how to do it... How to
make the
Stones grow up is our big problem right now (laughs)... And I
also
spoke to Charlie about it when he was here a month or two
previous to
that. And I know that he's got the gleam in the eye... So
we're
thinking of, we're working on our different concepts and ways
of doing
it that will work for us and also work for the audience. And
that's the
story so far, I cannot give away anything more (laughs)...
Yes, (it
might extend to recording), that might even come in front...
There is a
glimmer of light on the horizon. I can't wait to get back at
work after
two years of looking backwards.
-
Keith Richards, December 2010
The one
thing I will never give up, if I can avoid it, is the Rolling
Stones. You can't go to rehab for that.
-
Keith Richards, spring 2011
I'm
trying to nail them down but I don't want to crucify them!
(laughs)
-
Keith Richards, May 2011, asked if the Rolling Stones will
work in 2011
I don't
have any announcement to make at the moment. I'm just, uh, ya
know...just doing this (Super Heavy album) right now.
-
Mick Jagger, May 2011, asked if the Rolling Stones will
tour in 2012
Something's
blowing
in the wind. The idea's there. We kind of know we should do
it,
but nobody's put their finger on the moment yet. This is what
we have
to ask each other: Do we want to go out in a blaze of glory?
We can, if
Mick and Charlie feel like I do, that we can still turn people
on. We
don't have to prove nothing anymore. I just love playing, and
I miss
the crowd.
-
Keith Richards, May 2011, asked if the Rolling Stones will
tour in 2012
(B)asically
I
want to get the Stones back together and give it one more
bash. I
think they've got it in them. But it's about timing and an
awful lot of
very careful diplomacy...
-
Keith Richards, June 2011
I
know Keith is fully supportive, as are the rest of the boys in
the
Stones. We'll see what we can do as a unit. Playing Hyde Park
would be
fabulous.
-
Ron Wood, July 2011, on the Rolling Stones possibly
playing Hyde Park
and other concerts in 2012 to mark their 50th anniversary
(W)e
talked about maybe what events are going to be going around
for the
50th anniversary of the Rolling Stones. We don't really know
the answer
to that, but we talked about it a bit... When is the next
Rolling
Stones mega-tour? I don’t know really. There isn’t one so far.
But
there might be anything, anything can happen. It is the 50th
anniversary next year... Maybe we could go back to the
Marquee to
accept a plaque for 50 years of service instead.
-
Mick Jagger, September 2011
(Fifty
years) sounds a lot of years to me. But you know, you're very
lucky to
have been doing it that long, so I guess I should be happy
(laughs)...
It is quite an achievement I suppose, still being around at
all. I
guess you should be pleased with it but, you know...
-
Mick Jagger, September 2011
Well,
we're talking about (a tour in 2012) but I don't know if it's
going to
happen. Listen, you could do anything you want if you put your
mind to
it. I don't know what's going to happen next year. We'll
see... There
may be a tour, who knows. Maybe. At the moment nothing is
fixed.
-
Mick Jagger, September 2011
I don't
ever think about that, not [screws up his face] at all,
but it exists. You might believe people are more creative at
21 than
61, but a mixed aged group in a room will cure that problem.
-
Mick Jagger, 2011, asked if it's harder being
the frontman "character" in his sixties
(W)e're
all looking forward to (the 50th anniversary) whatever it
is, we
don't know what we're going to do... But I said to them we owe
it to
ourselves and to the people to do something. But we just, you
know,
whatever... we'll find a way. Anyway we had a great meeting
the other
week and we're all getting along great and see what happens.
- Ron Wood, October 2011
I
would like to think we'd do a tour. If we don't, we don't. I
mean, I've
felt like that for the last 50 years. It's never bothered me
if the
Rolling Stones stopped tomorrow.
- Charlie Watts, November 2011
I've
no idea (if there'll be a tour next year). We don't really get
together
that much as a group... There are a lot of ideas and things to
do, some
of them sound interesting, some of them sound possible and
some of them
sound difficult and some sound outright schmaltzy, to be
honest. I
don't really know what's going to exactly happen - but I'm
working on
it... (The fiftieth anniversary) is quite amazing when
you think about it. Anything's possible.
- Mick Jagger, November 2011
The
Stones still work. I know (the prospect of a tour is] an all
important
point but there's nothing more I'm going to say about that.
But the
Stones will pull it together... I don't see why in the world
the Stones
can't put together some kind of show next year. I'd almost
count on it.
It doesn't have to be the whole spectacle bullshit again, but
we've got
to find our own way through this... I'm hoping to do something
about
it. Right now, I don't want to go too much into it. I'm
pulling the
boys together and (we'll) see what happens. It's a work in
progress.
I'm not Nostradamus on this, but we all want to do something
for the
bigI'5-0.
- Keith Richards, November 2011
It's a
very different group than the one that played 50 years ago.
When I think about it, one part of me goes, We're slightly cheating,
because it's not the same band (as in July 1962) - still the
same name,
but it's only Keith and myself that are the same people, I
think. I've
tried to find out when Charlie's first gig was... But it's an
amazing
achievement. It's fantastic and I'm very proud of it.
- Mick Jagger, November 2011
The '80s
only seem like yesterday to me. The '90s went so fast. Before
you know it, time has flown by.
- Ron Wood, November 2011
It
all sounds great, and I'm sure we're going to do lots and lots
of
wonderful things. What the future may hold is known only to
God and
myself. I'll talk after we've done it rather than before.
- Mick Jagger, November 2011
I think
no
one wants to quit because the other one will will say You quit!... We are
getting to an age where it's going to be very difficult.
It
would be lovely next year to do some shows because it will be
50 years. Ronnie
plays, I still play, Mick sings, he can do it anyway, I think
Keith is
doing some records and that, whatever. But anyway it would be
great if we did. We are just
getting to an age where it's getting a bit difficult to get it
together
and it's such a bloody performance getting us all together.
And it's incredibly expensive if you do all these things.
- Charlie Watts, December 2011
We've
got more meetings, everyone wants to do it... That's what
we're on the
verge of. I don't know what the hell is gonna happen yet but
we all
feel we owe it to ourselves and to the people to do something.
Well,
they're still in the talking mode. And I don't know, each week
brings a
new development. Basically, get the boys feeling comfortable
with each
other, 'cause we're all ready to go individually. It's just a
matter of
tying up loose ends and coming together as a unit.
- Ron Wood, February 2012, on the Rolling
Stones touring soon
We
have lots of special things planned (for the Rolling Stones'
50th
anniversary), but I'm not telling you what they are!...
I don't
know what's been announced and what hasn't been announced, but
everyone
asks me about the shows. We haven't announced any shows yet,
but I do
hope that something happens, even though nothing's booked.
There will
be lots of lovely things... I've written a lot of songs, but I
don't
have any concrete plans (to record a new album).
- Mick Jagger, February 2012
Of
course I did! The thing was, way back in the '60s we used to
go and see
performers that were the same age I am now. So I suppose in
the back of
my mind I hadn't ruled that out. Now we're still doing great
things.
You've got to have a high energy level. You can't have a low
energy
level in this kind of music. That's the thing, you've got to
keep
going. Obviously, you're not going to be the same energy level
as when
you were 20, but you've still got to put it out there, and
that's what
I always try and do.
- Mick Jagger, February 2012, on thinking 50
years ago he'd be performing today
Basically,
we're
just not ready. I have a feeling (2013 is) more realistic...
(Mick)'s going to be living in New York too for a while, so
we're
planning to get things going with the Stones again... We'll
just get
the boys back together again then and maybe cut a side. I've
got plenty
in the locker here, but it's not on tape.... The Stones always
really
considered '63 to be 50 years, because Charlie didn't actually
join
until January. We look upon 2012 as sort of the year
conception, but
the birth is next year.
- Keith Richards, March 2012, on a new
Stones tour
We do
have a 50th anniversary. Whatever is going to be done, we will
know in the next few months.
- Ron Wood, April 2012
It looks
like we are going to be doing more stuff. I'm keeping
October-November free, that's what I've been told.
- Ron Wood, May 2012
We're
open for anything. It all seems that things are moving
forward... The door is open for anything.
-
Keith Richards, May 2012
I'm
going over to London (in July) for a bit, so I'll find out
more
then.... We're going to talk about (recording an album) in
July and
see. I mean, I'd love to get some tracks down and see what
songs we've
got. And that goes along with part of getting the band back
together
and getting things moving.
-
Keith Richards, June 2012
(Next)
I think we're going to be doing a lot of 50th anniversary
stuff, we,
the Rolling Stones. (Not a tour or an album), just other
things. Fifty
years of things. A documentary, well, they haven't approved it
yet. I
haven't seen it, but we worked on that earlier this year.
Books and
things like that. There will be other things that the 50 years
mean.
And touring, we haven't gotten that far. We're still talking
about the
color of the back page of the book, so we'll see what happens.
-
Charlie Watts, July 2012

There's
things in the works - I think it's definitely happening. But
when? I can't say yet...
-
Keith Richards, July 2012
There
might be life in the old dog yet - we'll die gracefully,
elegantly wasted.
-
Keith Richards, July 2012
It’s
incredible to think about working with the same band for fifty
years. Of course, members have come and gone over the
years, but
it is still the Rolling Stones. Inevitably it makes you think
about the
mortality of it. But here we are making plans and attempting
to get
things organized for the future!
-
Mick Jagger, July 2012
Yeah,
definitely, later on. Later on this year on stage... (We'll be
performing live) in the autumn... You will definitely be
seeing us
all together soon. It’s been great fun being back together and
there
are a lot of memories in here. I can’t believe it’s been 50
years.
We’ve been hanging out together, seeing quite a bit of each
other and
we want to do some gigs.
-
Mick Jagger, July 2012, asked if the Stones will play live
soon
It makes
me feel young in some ways. I know lots of people who can't
even walk at my age, poor things.
-
Mick Jagger, July 2012
You
know, getting old is getting old. With a bit of luck,
everybody gets
there together. It takes a while to learn how to handle your
past, but
there's no sadness there for me at all. In fact, I look upon
it with
amazement.
- Keith Richards, November 2012
We've
got some shows in London, I believe, and in New York, but I
really
can't talk about any of that at the moment. They've put the
gag on me
on this. You can hint!
- Keith Richards, October 2012
I
wouldn't be surprised (if we do more concerts next year).
Nobody has
given us a heads up but this band isn't going to wind up with
four
shows. Next year looks like it is on.
- Keith Richards, October 2012
My
experience with the Rolling Stones is that once the juggernaut
starts
rolling, it ain't gonna stop. So without sort of saying
definitely yes
- yeah. We ain't doing all this for four gigs!
- Keith Richards, October 2012
Everyone's
human
and you can't really expect it to last forever. On the other
hand, you try to keep yourself in shape. Obviously you can't
do the
same things (onstage) you did when you were 19, so you have to
do other
things. There's no miracles in life... (The expectation is) a
bit of a
burden, really, isn't it? I better be OK, at least.
-
Mick Jagger on being Mick
Jagger onstage at 69, October 2012
We're
blessed with still being able to cut it. Sir Mick is as agile
as ever -
he's like a 25-year-old. I have to settle for being a
45-year-old.
Keith said, How can it be
our 50th anniversary? I'm only 38.
-Ron Wood,
October 2012
Oh yeah.
I
think of Howlin’ Wolf plugging in to his kidney machine
- however old he
was, 80 or something - and still playing. You just
rock till you
drop.
-
Ron Wood, October 2012, asked if the Rolling Stones will
keep rolling
(T)his band is younger now than it was five years ago. It's
got a lot more energy in it.
- Keith Richards, November 2012
All good
things will come to an end, children, but I can't foresee when
that will be.
-
Mick Jagger, November 2012, asked about a farewell tour
One
thing at a time, baby. It's taken me a year or two to get it
this far.
I do know that once this juggernaut gets rolling, it's hard to
stop.
Without being able to promise anything, I have a feeling
there's
definitely going to be something going next year.
- Keith Richards, November 2012, asked
about a tour in 2013
I
think the Stones have always done things their own way, and
they will
always continue to do things their own way. I think everybody
is having
a good time on stage. It's more than just nostalgia. I think
they just
feel re-energized and possibly very enthusiastic about doing
things in
the future. I just have an intuitive feeling that if they want
to do
some more shows, they can. There's no reason why they
shouldn't be able
to.
-
Mick Taylor, December 2012
This is
the last show of our anniversary tour, and we hope to see you
all again soon.
-
Mick Jagger, onstage, December 15, 2012
(W)e barely got off the starting blocks. It would be dopey to
bring things up to this level and say, Well, that's that, 50 years,
bye-bye... I just get the feeling – they're itching
at the bit now. This thing wasn't enough.
- Keith Richards, December 2012, asked
about more touring in 2013
There
have been quite a few offers. I'm going to see what's on the
table and
discuss it with everyone. We'll announce it when we've figured
it out.
-
Mick Jagger, December 2012, asked about more touring in
2013
We'll see
you soon.
-
Mick Jagger, January 2013
We're not
gonna be ready to go by April. But we're not gonna stop.
-
Mick Jagger, January 2013
I've got
lots of high hopes this year, now that we're all rehearsed -
let's get it cracking this summer.
-
Ron Wood, February 2013
Do
you know how many times that one's been asked? Who knows,
honey? If the
guys are flying and rocking and everybody feels good, I don't
see why
they wouldn't do 51 and
Counting, 52...
But at the moment, we're well aware that we're getting up
there.
- Keith Richards, April 2013, asked if this
is the last time
I'm
not saying there won't be but if I had (information) I'm told
not to
talk about it! (laughs) There's always surprises with the
Stones.
- Keith Richards, April 2013, on a possible
additional tour in the fall
I
have a lot of songs and I’d love to do some more recording
with the
band. But we’re going to get through the tour first and then
see what
happens.
-
Mick Jagger, April 2013, on an eventual new Rolling Stones
album
You
do now seriously have to look at your age, because if this
goes on for
another two years, I'll be 73. But I say that at the end of
every tour.
And then you have two weeks off and your wife says, Aren't you going to work?
-
Charlie Watts, April 2013
(W)e
have to pace ourselves a bit. Of course age comes into play.
But if
you've got a frontman like Mick Jagger, and he's raring to go,
let's
go... Physically, these guys, you can't really knock 'em. It's
all skin
and bone and muscle. There's not a lot to go wrong.
- Keith Richards, April 2013
I
don't know the answer to that. Honestly (laughs). You're awre
that the
shutters are very gently coming down. Give up when people stop
coming
any more? I honestly don't know. I play it in the short term.
I always
have.
- Mick Jagger, April 2013, asked if this is the
last tour
Probably
not. I don't think so. I might do it to amuse myself, but I
don't see
it happening. But then you never know what's going to happen
to you, do
you?
- Mick Jagger, April 2013, asked about
eventually performing at a late age on a chair
No,
man, everybody should try it if they can get there. If I had a
secret,
I'd bottle it maybe. I just happen to be here. Just string it,
and play
it low.
- Keith Richards, April 2013, asked if it
freaks him out to be nearing 70
I
can't say (there's) trepidation, 'cause there's an obvious
cut-off
point, but when it is I wouldn't dream of guessing. It'll be a
sad day,
but at the same time I don't think it will stop me playing
music or
writing songs. I just want to take this band as far as it can
go
because it's so bloody interesting.
- Keith Richards, April 2013, on life after
the Stones
There's
somebody else you've got to ask about that, darling. And it's
not Mick
Jagger, it's called God, I think. Something in that realm.
- Keith Richards, June 2013, asked when the
Rolling Stones will end
Sixtieth - that's a little while yet. I've been hooked
on everything once or twice in my life. The one thing I can't
kick is
playing with The Rolling Stones. All these zeros that keep
zooming by…
30, 40, 50 years. I don't really see any reason why there
shouldn't be
a 60th. Either that or we croak on the job.
- Keith Richards, June 2013
Maybe there'll be things beyond (the Hyde Park concerts), but
right now this is the summer then we have a bit of a break.
- Mick Jagger, July 2013
I'm always writing new songs so hopefully we'll do new songs
one of these days soon.
- Mick Jagger, July 2013, asked about new
Rolling Stones songs in the future
Hopefully
we're gonna rehearse again next year... next February... While
the big
wheel is rolling we are going to capture it before it stops
totally.
- Ron Wood, October 2013
I had a really fantastic time in the last year... I’d
love to do it again.
- Mick Jagger, November 2013
I
think we have plans. Don't nail me down, but I got a call from
Mick the
other day saying sometime this year we better get in the
studio...
Playing live gives songwriting and recording more impetus, so
I'm
hoping we can come out with something great over the next few
months.
- Keith Richards, December 2013, on plans
for recording new Rolling Stones songs
We'll keep going - rock till we drop.
- Ron Wood, December 2013
It’s
always possible I suppose. I mean we are kicking along now.
(laughs) I
think we’re all pensioners – officially – although I don’t
feel like it
and I don’t think anybody else does. I think it’s in the
blood, you
know – you love your job and there’s nothing like really
standing in
front of a load of people and going Come on, yeah, yeah, yeah
and them giving you encouragement. I mean it’s one of the
best
jobs in the world man. And I’m pretty well paid too. (laughs)
- Keith Richards, February 2014, asked if
there may come a time when they won't tour
I've
been touring in the summer, I'll be touring in the autumn, and
I'm
still touring. And I don't know when I'm going to stop, but
I'm still
going now.
- Mick Jagger, July 2014
Thanks for coming to see us and maybe we'll see you in 2015!
- Mick Jagger, November 2014, in a Rolling
Stones thank you video
We're going to come to North America again in the summer...
We're coming in June and July, I believe.
- Ron Wood, February 2015
(A)fter
the U.S. tour, there's nothing booked. But there are plans for
what
we'll do in the autumn for gigs, maybe. I don't know about the
early
autumn, but in the late autumn there's a lot of talk. I
haven't booked
it yet, but….
- Mick Jagger, March 2015
I hear South America is on the cards somewhere around October,
November, so we ain't stopping yet.
- Keith Richards, March 2015
We're talking about doing some recording after this tour, but
there's nothing definite.
- Keith Richards, March 2015
Nah, not
in the moment. I'm thinking about what the next tour is. I'm
not
thinking about retirement. I'm planning the next set of tours,
so the
answer is really, No, not
really.
- Mick Jagger, March 2015, asked whether he
thinks about retirement
I'd like
to see just how far (the Rolling Stones) can evolve. I have no
demands
or particular visions for them, but you're just part of this
thing and
I want to see how far it will go.
- Keith Richards, March 2015
I think
so. It's easy: you just make sure that everyone's happy at the
end of
the evening. With the Rolling Stones, we're all getting to an
age where
there's other things to do before 85 comes along. This
(15-date) tour
is long enough for me. The commitment is still there, but it's
not as
relaxed as ringing David (Green) up and saying, Want to do this little thing I'm
doing?
- Charlie Watts, April 2015, asked if he will
continue playing jazz if the Stones ever stop
Ginger
(Baker)'s like Keith, that sinewy type of strength. They're
the sort of
people you think will go on forever. Keith's genes, and
Mick's, are
amazing.
- Charlie Watts, April 2015
I don't
think it means to say it's all over just because you're doing
a
retrospective exhibition. I think we're still working and
still doing
shows and we'll continue to do so.
- Mick Jagger, June 2015, on the Rolling Stones'
upcoming 2016 exhibition
It would be a lovely way (to end) if it was. But I have a
feeling (laughs) it won't be.
- Charlie Watts, June 2015, on the Rolling
Stones' upcoming 2016 exhibition
If
anybody should be interested in when we're going to quit, it
should be
the Stones (laughs). And they're not particularly interested
in that
(laughs).
- Keith Richards, June 2015
Nobody wants to
croak, but nobody wants to get old. When the Stones
started, we were 18, 19, 20, and the idea of being 30 was
absolutely
horrendous. Forget about it! And then suddenly you're 40, and
oh,
they're in it for the long haul. So you need to readjust, and
of course
kids happen and grandchildren, and then you start to see the
pattern
unfolding. If you make it, it's fantastic.
- Keith Richards, August 2015
We
didn't just do it to get a few hit records and be famous and
blah blah
blah, 'cause sometimes that's a curse. We're doing what we
feel we're
good at, and in order to be heard. I don't think there should
be any
time limit on that. I'm still growing up.
- Keith Richards, August 2015
You might as well go out until you croak, or until people stop
listening. But there's a certain love of music, something
deeper... it
might start out as a pop song, but later on, there's music
there that
generations are still holding on to and holding up as, Yeah, this is the way it should
be. I tell you this, I ain't retiring.
- Keith Richards, August 2015
Growing up never really stops. Everybody thinks you reach a
certain
age and you're a grown-up, but it's not true. Nobody grows up
until the
day they croak. I'm sure of it. Because to me it's still the
next day
and what do we do and how are we going to do it.
- Keith Richards, August 2015
I never thought I'd get this far. Now I have to think about
(getting old) and wonder what to do with it. I don't know,
man. There's
always been the cats in front of me. This is the thing, with
evolving.
It's my turn for growing old.
- Keith Richards, August 2015
Of
course I'm not (immortal), but I love the idea of it. I mean,
I
wouldn't mind being. I don't know if I could handle all of the
stress
and the memories that I'd know at 150 years old. But I've
defied other
people's version of mortality, I suppose.
- Keith Richards, September 2015
It's still a turn-on, and the energy is still there with them.
This
band surprises me on and on, you know? I don't know how long
they'll
bloody well last, but I'll be there till the end.
- Keith Richards, September 2015
(Y)eah,
there are now definite plans to record... (A new album) looks
closer.
Don't know where, don't know when yet. We had a little chat.
We were
just saying, 'We've got to get in the studio right?' 'Right.'
'That’s
agreed.' 'Okay, boys, that’s agreed.' Where, when – (we)
scratch our
heads. I would say off the top of my head after the South
American tour
in February. But you never know.
- Keith Richards, September 2015
We'll
maybe go in the studio in December and cut a few tracks and
see what
happens... We'll take it from there, see how it all goes. One
thing at
a time...
- Ron Wood, November 2015
We’re
going to go in (the studio) before Christmas. We’re all
looking forward
to that. And then if that goes well we’ll carry on after South
America.
- Ron Wood, November 2015
I don't
have a plan to stop. You know, we do this tour, and then we're
talking
about what we're doing the rest of (the year). We've been in
the studio
just before Christmas, we're cutting some new tracks. And no
doubt when
this (tour) is all finished, at the end of the spring we'll do
some
more.
- Mick Jagger, February 2016
(T)here is something in the works and I’d just like to leave
it up there in mystery land.
- Keith Richards, March
2016, on a new Stones album
Yeah, yeah, yeah! We’re planning some gigs later on this year.
- Keith Richards, March
2016, asked if there will be more Stones tours
I must
say the resilience of this band, all the crap that’s happened
to us so
many times, doesn’t stop the fact that we will keep going.
Just as long
as we’re here. It’s not even a point of honour. It’s just a
case of
what else are you going to do? We’re probably more solid than
ever. I’m
looking forward.
- Keith Richards, March 2016
We're a working band. We'll be working again before the end of
the year.
- Ron Wood, April 2016
Hopefully we'll never give up. They'll have to shovel us in
the
grave. We feel like we're still evolving and I think you have
to feel
that way.
- Keith Richards, April 2016
(Other bands that don't last long are) not really bands.
They’re
groups. We’re a band. And a real band sticks until it dies!...
I mean,
we work hard, no one takes it for granted. We’re still looking
to make
our best record and put on our best show. The Stones have
managed to be
part of life without being passé. Also, what else are you
going to do?
I’m here, on the other end, and I’m looking at life from
here... This
is what happens. It’ll happen to you, it’ll happen to
everybody that’s
going to read this. Life changes as you go along, and the
thing is, it
never stops. You never grow up, you just learn a little more.
I ain’t
getting old, I’m evolving (laughs).
- Keith Richards, June 2016
The Stones are working on (a new album), yeah - at the moment,
as
we speak. We cut a few new things and we're going in (the
studio) again
later this year.
- Keith Richards, July 2016
I don’t think you’ll get a last tour out of us just yet.
- Ron Wood, September 2016
(We'll finish the next album) but I don't know when, because
you want it to be really good and everything.
- Mick Jagger, October 2016
(The
Desert Trip stage) was 30 meters wider than our normal stage,
which is
quite wide, by the way, which I usually run. And I heard that
nobody
else went out there, apart from me... And I was just thinking,
How long can I fucking do
this? How long can I run the hundred-meter stage?
I don't know the answer to that. I mean, as long as I can. And
then
should I stop performing when I can't run the hundred-meter
stage, is
that it? Does that mean I have to stop? No one else is using
the
hundred-meter stage!
- Mick Jagger, October 2016
Charlie Watts will never die or retire. I forbid him to.
- Keith Richards, October
2016
Howlin’
Wolf almost died on stage, plugged into his kidney machine, so
there’s
no reason why we wouldn’t go exactly the same way. I saw John
Lee
Hooker not long before he died and he was showing me
backstage, showing
off his new CD and his new white hat and his new girlfriend –
he was
rocking right to the end.
- Ron Wood, October 2016
I'd like to croak magnificently. Onstage.
- Keith Richards, October
2016
(Blue & Lonesome
won't be our last album). It's never going be the last - Keith
won't
have it! It's never going to be the last show and never going
to be the
last album... There'll be another studio album, I think. I'm
sure Mick
and Keith think there will be.
- Charlie Watts, November
2016
No band
has ever trod where we have trod (laughs). Hopefully we can
keep it
going. As long as Charlie's back holds out and (laughs) Mick's
legs, as
long as he can run, and me and Keith's fingers. It's a matter
of
keeping the body in good enough shape to be able to perform. I
think 70
is the new 40. Another adventure on my 100 years. That's where
my life
begins: the first 100 years!
- Ron Wood, November 2016
Well I try (to retire) at the end of each tour. Keith says: What are you going to do?
I don't know, mow the lawn... So I don't retire.
- Charlie Watts, April 2017
No. Well, it depends which band they’re in, but we won’t.
- Ron Wood, August 2017,
asked if rock stars should retire
Charlie Watts will never die or retire. I forbid him to.
- Keith Richards, October
2016
Howlin’
Wolf almost died on stage, plugged into his kidney machine, so
there’s
no reason why we wouldn’t go exactly the same way. I saw John
Lee
Hooker not long before he died and he was showing me
backstage, showing
off his new CD and his new white hat and his new girlfriend –
he was
rocking right to the end.
- Ron Wood, October 2016
We
haven’t finished yet. It’s still too early for me to talk
about the
Stones’ legacy. There’s one thing that we haven’t yet
achieved, and
that’s to really find out how long you can do this. It’s still
such a
joy to play with this band that you can’t really let go of it.
I’m more
interested in learning how far this bunch can take it.
- Keith Richards, September
2017
It’s
incredible to think about working with the same band for more
than 50
years. Of course, members have come and gone, but it is still
the
Rolling Stones. Inevitably it makes you think about the
mortality of
it. But here we are making plans.
- Mick Jagger, September 2017
I
haven’t really thought about this set of gigs being our last
tour, to
be honest. There is going to come a point when we don’t want
to do it
any more, for whatever reason, but I’m not thinking about that
this
summer.
- Mick Jagger, February 2018
I’ve got
absolutely no idea. I’m looking forward to Sunday 8th July,
which is
the last show. That’s as far as I can think ahead with The
Rolling
Stones. They said we'd finish in 1965 but... No (I don't think
about retiring). I've thought that the band might stop a lot
of times. I used to think that at the end of every tour. I'd
had enough of it - that was it. But no, not really. I hope
(when it ends) that everyone says, That'll be it. I'd
hate for it to be a bloody big argument. That would be real
sad moment... I think if Mick or Keith retired then it would
be (the end of the band). But they could get another drummer,
another guitar player.
- Charlie Watts, February 2018, asked if this is
the last tour
I guess
the day (when the band ends i)s obviously going to come, some
day. But
not in the near future... I never think about it. Never. I
know loads
of other people worry about it, and I let them concern
themselves with
it. Me, I'll wait for it to happen.
- Keith Richards, February
2018
When
you're like 21, you do things much more quickly than when
you're like
whatever age I am. I wouldn't want to think about it really.
But I
still do things... I can write things really quickly now...
That makes
me really happy that I can just sit down with a guitar and
just write
something that just comes out. You know in half an hour it's
done, more
or less. I still do it the same way as I did before. I'm kind
of
pleased about that... I don't have any problems. I mean a lot
of people
my age don't really write at all, or they have really problems
and they
take a lot of time, but I don't really have that.
- Mick Jagger, April 2018
I’ve got
a feeling we’ll be carrying on back in the studio within the
next few
months. (I think the album wi)ll prompt another tour.
- Ron Wood, October 2018
We
haven’t really had that conversation (about how long we'll
continue
touring). We’ve been quite happy doing these shows the way
we’re doing
them. Nobody’s really talking about stopping. But sometimes
it’s hard
to believe you’re still doing it.
- Mick Jagger, November 2018
Actually I don't mind. It's just weird to be 70-odd.
- Keith Richards, December
2018, on turning 75
Retiring? No. I'm still growing up.
- Keith Richards, January
2019
Oh that
one. I'd be the last one to know darling. We’re feeling good.
And we
love what we do. There’s no reason to stop really. I love it.
I’m
really looking forward to it.
- Keith Richards, June 2019,
asked if this is the last tour
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