Arthritis changed his guitar playing

Keith Richards will be 80 years old on December 18, 2023 – so it’s no wonder that the Rolling Stones guitarist is now also experiencing typical age-related symptoms. In an interview, the musician spoke about the physical problems that have changed his guitar playing.

Arthritis causes Keith Richards to pursue new musical paths

He is certain that the arthritis he developed in his finger joints has changed his musical abilities. “I have no doubt that it did that, but I don’t feel any pain, it’s kind of benign,” he explained in an interview with “BBC“. “I think if I’ve slowed down a little, it’s probably more due to age.”

“I also find it interesting: Whenever I think: ‘I can’t do this quite as well anymore!’, the guitar shows me that there is another way. A finger moves somewhere else and a whole new door opens. And so you keep learning. You are never all-knowing.”

Keith Richards is a big guitar fan

Keith Richards owns more than 1,000 guitars because he says he is simply enthusiastic about the instrument. “The fascinating thing is, the more you play it, the less you know about it. It asks you endless questions. You can never know everything. It’s impossible.” This new knowledge may also have been incorporated into “Hackney Diamonds” – it will be the Rolling Stones’ first studio album with new material in 18 years.

The fact that the band got together again for an album after such a long time is probably due to the anniversary tour in 2022. Mick Jagger wanted to go straight into the studio. “He hit the right nerve with me,” says Richards. “I always wanted to record with the band as soon as we were done touring, because then the band is really in tune.” The Rolling Stones received support from 32-year-old producer Andrew Watt, who has already worked with Miley Cyrus and Post Malone.