Keith Richards says Sir Paul McCartney “misses” being in a band and is welcome to join the Rolling Stones whenever he wants.
The Beatles and Wings legend has appeared on the Stones’ last two albums – 2023’s Hackney Diamonds and their new release Foreign Tongues – and Richards told Zane Lowe on Apple Music that McCartney’s joy in playing with a group is obvious.
He added that he’s known Paul since the early Beatles days, recalling how he and late frontman John Lennon sang backing vocals on We Love You and Dandelion in the late ’60s, and said he’d happily work with him again.
Speaking to Zane Lowe on Apple Music, Keith said: “You know I’ve realised that Paul really misses being in a band. And his joy of just being in that context is great. So if there’s any more songs to do, I’ll let you know, Paul. I’ve known Paul for well basically since The Beatles started, since we started, but I mean only on the periphery and John [Lennon] and Paul [McCartney] did a couple of backup vocals for us way back when on We Love You and Dandelion, I think way back in like sixty-seven or something like that. But otherwise, it’s also great to have somebody from your own era, from way back when. He’s a lovely player and I’d like to do more with him.”
The Stones also reflected on their longevity.
Mick admitted the band might not have survived if they’d faced more “failure”.
Bassist and guitarist Ronnie Wood, meanwhile, believes having time apart keeps the thrill of being together alive.
He said: “Well we don’t over soak our hanging out. You know, we lead our own lives and when we do get back together, it’s like no time had gone by. So we’re back in the playground, as you’re like naughty school boys, we’re back in the studio. That’s what we do. We love to interact, as you know, you can tell from the music, off of each other. Mick is still very driving, to this day.”
Asked if it’s the music that keeps them together, Keith said: “Oh it is a marriage of a kind. Who’s wifey and who is husband is another thing. But maybe that’s what keeps it going. But when you meet the guy that has the same taste in music and the same feel for it as you do, it’s more than double the pleasure. You can’t put your finger on it but at the same time it is a mystery and I think maybe long may it be a mystery. I mean I’ve been trying to think about it and figure it out and what is I found pointless.”
Mick added: “I think if The Rolling Stones have had a lot of failure it wouldn’t have stayed together. We’ve been very lucky and been successful a lot you know, even though not everything we’ve put out recorded wise has been brilliant.”