“I love the man 99% of the time”

“Mick knows what I mean and he’ll say the same about me”

The Rolling Stones‘ Keith Richards has spoken about his current professional and personal relationship with Mick Jagger, saying that he “loves” Jagger “99% of the time”.

The guitarist was speaking in a new interview ahead of today’s (March 29) release of the special reissue of his debut solo album ‘Talk Is Cheap’, which celebrated its 30th anniversary last year.

Richards spoke about the frontman while discussing the current progress on the Stones’ upcoming new album, which he says has “the first bits done”.

“We’re working on the album,” Richards told The Sun. “We’ve got the first bits done and I’m looking forward to getting back in after this tour. Charlie Watts is playing his arse off! He’s absolutely amazing. It’s indescribable to find a drummer like Charlie Watts, exceptionally brilliant.”

“I can never praise Charlie enough and I can praise Mick Jagger 99% of the time,” Richards added, turning his attention to the singer.

“Mick knows what I mean and he’ll say the same about me. Things happen between Mick and me because it’s just two guys working together. You only hear about the odd bust-up. I love the man 99% of the time.”

Richards also admitted that his first experience of being a solo artist with ‘Talk Is Cheap’ 30 years ago gave him a new-found appreciation for Jagger’s band-leading duties.

“It was my first time fronting the whole thing,” he recalled. “Usually, this is Mick’s job and suddenly I understood a lot more about the dynamics of being a frontman.

“I understood the pressure. My feelings towards Mick became, ‘Yeah, I get it, man.’”

Earlier this month, The Rolling Stones announced a new compilation album. ‘Honk’ will be released in April, and will feature recent live recordings from the band’s tours.