The Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards recently opened up about how age and arthritis have affected his guitar playing. He shared candid insights about adapting his musical approach in an interview with Guitar World.
The legendary guitarist discussed whether he plays fewer notes these days and how physical changes have influenced his technique.
“Yes, I do [play fewer notes], because I’m not as fast as I used to be. At my age, what I find most interesting about the guitar is you can compensate for certain disabilities and nimbleness and find other ways of getting around the problem,” Richards said. “And it teaches you another thing – you never stop learning with the damn thing. I love it, and it’s my friend forever.”
Richards also addressed the physical challenges he faces while playing.
“Well, I do have arthritis and very large knuckles. They don’t hurt, but it does get in the way sometimes,” he explained. “I’m going for a wider fingerboard for that reason.”
The guitarist concluded with a philosophical perspective on his daily approach to music.
“Honestly, I just look at my hands, and my hands look at me, and we say, ‘Well, let’s see what we can do today.’ And that’s the way I play guitar,” Richards said. “I look at it and say, ‘We’ve got nothing else to do. Come Here. I love you!'”
Richards’ candid admission about his health challenges comes at a significant time for The Rolling Stones. The band continues to navigate the realities of aging while maintaining their legendary status in rock music.
Guitar World reported that Richards first went public with his arthritis struggles in 2023. This prompted various adaptations to prolong his playing career. Despite these physical limitations, his passion for the instrument remains unwavering, as evidenced by his collaboration with Gibson on two new signature guitar models.
The impact of Richards’ health issues extends beyond his personal playing style. Hypebeast noted that the arthritis has contributed to The Rolling Stones canceling their planned 2026 UK and Europe stadium tour. The 82-year-old guitarist was unwilling to face the physical demands of extensive touring.
However, the band remains creatively active despite scaling back their live performances. Hypebeast revealed that The Rolling Stones have nearly finished a new studio album with producer Andrew Watt. They are focusing their energy on recording rather than touring.
Richards’ approach to managing his condition reflects his pragmatic attitude toward music-making. Guitar World indicated that he skips hand pumps for pre-show warm-ups more often than recommended. Instead, he relies on daily improvisation sessions with his guitar to maintain his connection to the instrument.
