Keith Richards has consistently expressed remorse for a joke he made about Mick Jagger
Keith Richards, guitarist of the Rolling Stones, has consistently been forthright and unapologetic in his remarks regarding various subjects, including his fellow band members. However, a joke he made about Mick Jagger in 2018 is the sole comment he has expressed regret for.
Although the remark was not sufficiently scandalous to prevent the Stones from touring together, it was serious enough to necessitate an apology from Richards on social media. Most of the responding community appeared to concur with Richards’ initial comments.
Keith Richards Expressed Remorse Over This Quip Regarding Mick Jagger
After decades in the industry, Keith Richards articulates his opinions with unreserved candor. The Rolling Stones guitarist has consistently articulated his opinions without remorse, from severely criticizing his previous opening act, Prince, to publicly expressing contempt for fellow British rockers Led Zeppelin. However, this altered subsequent to a 2018 interview with the Wall Street Journal.
Predictably, Rolling Stones lead vocalist Mick Jagger entered Richards’ dialogue with the Wall Street Journal. Richards referred to his bandmate, stating, “Mick is a lascivious old rascal.” It is time for the surgical procedure. At such age, one cannot fulfill the role of a father. “Those unfortunate children” (via Rolling Stone). At that time, Jagger had recently welcomed his eighth kid with girlfriend Melanie Hamrick, marking the couple’s first child together.
Shortly after the vasectomy remark gained widespread attention, Richards utilized X, previously referred to as Twitter, to retract his stance. I profoundly regret the remarks I made toward Mick in the WSJ, which were entirely inappropriate. I have, of course, apologized to him in person. The necessity of the apology requested by either Jagger or his girlfriend remains ambiguous, although the online community evidently deemed it unwarranted. “Not everyone in the world is devoid of the same thought,” responded one X user. “Indeed, it is sound counsel for an individual nearing 50, much less 75,” another remarked.
This was not the initial dispute among band members.
Given their extensive collaboration, beyond the lifespan of many in the music industry, it is unsurprising that Keith Richards and Mick Jagger occasionally experience disagreements. In his biography Life, Richard elaborated on their conflicts, noting how he referred to Jagger as “Her Majesty” to mock what he perceived as Jagger’s prima donna demeanor. Richards also criticized Jagger’s “insignificant appendage” in his memoir—an intriguing choice for reflection.
Richards has overtly criticized Jagger in his 1988 solo track “You Don’t Move Me.” The guitarist has evaded a direct response regarding whether the song pertains to Jagger, however lyrics such as, “Why do you think you have no friends?” suggest otherwise. You led them all astray, making it difficult to think the song was not directed at Jagger.
Despite personal conflicts, the Stones exhibit no indications of diminishing their demanding concert itinerary. Thus, if any animosity persists between the two legendary musicians, it is evidently insufficient to prevent them from performing together on stage.