Keith Richards Doubts Rolling Stones Can Tour at 82, Floats Residency Instead

Q: With Jagger wanting to tour and Richards wanting to stop, who will decide the future of the Stones' live shows?

The future of the Stones’ live shows will almost certainly be decided collectively, but in practice Mick Jagger and Keith Richards are the two veto-holders, and Richards’ willingness to commit appears decisive on traditional touring. The current evidence points that way. Jagger has said he wants to get back onstage and would tour again “as soon as possible,” while Richards has ruled out a 2026 tour and stressed that travel, not performing itself, is the real strain. Reports that planned UK and European dates were shelved because Richards would not commit suggest that if one of the two principal figures says no, a full tour does not happen. That does not mean Jagger has no leverage. Historically, he has had major influence over touring decisions, including stopping plans in the 1980s when he believed a tour would be damaging. But the Stones are now operating at a stage where physical limits and logistics matter more, and Richards’ concerns about wear, travel and arthritis give his position extra weight. The likeliest outcome is a compromise rather than one man “winning.” If Jagger wants live dates and Richards wants to avoid the road, the band may choose a residency or limited run in one city instead of a conventional tour. That matches Richards’ own proposal and keeps open Jagger’s desire to perform. So the decision will be made by the band’s inner circle, but no live plan is likely unless both Jagger and Richards agree on a format.

Q: Will collaborators like Paul McCartney join The Rolling Stones for their potential new concert residency shows?

No confirmed plans indicate Paul McCartney will join any Rolling Stones residency shows. What is confirmed is that Keith Richards has floated the idea of a residency as an alternative to touring, because he doubts the band can handle the travel demands of a traditional trek. But those shows remain only a possibility: no venue, dates, format, or guest lineup have been announced. McCartney does have a recent working relationship with the band. The available reporting says he contributed to the upcoming album *Foreign Tongues*, and he also worked with them on *Hackney Diamonds*. That makes a guest appearance plausible in theory, especially if the Stones choose a fixed-location run that is easier on everyone involved. Still, there is a clear gap between studio collaboration and live participation. None of the reporting provided says McCartney has been approached for residency performances, agreed to appear, or is part of any live plans. At this stage, any suggestion that he will join them onstage would be speculation rather than fact. So the best answer is that McCartney’s involvement cannot be ruled out, given the recent collaborations and personal ties, but there is currently no evidence confirming he will appear in any potential Stones residency.

3 articles · Updated · Ultimate Classic Rock · Jun 19

Keith Richards said full Rolling Stones tours may no longer be feasible, ruling out any 2026 run for now and suggesting a residency in cities such as London, New York or Paris instead.
At 82, Richards said travel is the main obstacle, citing age, arthritis and the "wear and tear" that makes moving a band from city to city harder than staging shows in one place.
The band last played live on July 21, 2024, when its 20-date Hackney Diamonds tour ended in Missouri, and hopes for 2026 concerts had already faded after rumored UK and European dates were reportedly scrapped in December 2025.
The comments come as the Stones prepare to release their 25th studio album, Foreign Tongues, on July 10, with new single "Jealous Lover" due June 26.