Keith Richards Reveals Arthritis Changed His Guitar Playing During Hackney Diamonds

Having announced their 24th album Hackney Diamonds (out October 20th), Rolling Stones' Keith Richards has revealed he has arthritis – but that hasn't stop the rock n'roll veteran from playing his beloved guitar.

Richards' first guitar was a gift from his grandfather after he perfected 'La Malgueña'. Once a young Richards has mastered the piece, he was allowed keep the instrument he practiced on, which Richards described as 'the gift of the century'. Indeed, this was the beginning of a romance of a lifetime; Richards now has a guitar collection of over 1,000 guitars.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Richards revealed that while recording the Stones' first new album in 18 years, the musician was experiencing symptoms of arthritis. When asked if this diagnosis affected his guitar playing Richards replied: 'Funnily enough, I've no doubt it has, but I don't have any pain, it's a sort of benign version'.  Throughout this recording experience, Richards- who is surely one of the most expert guitar players in the world, says he is still honing his craft. He explains; 'the guitar will show you another way of doing it. Some finger will go on a different space and a whole new door will open. You're never finished school man'.

Regardless of Keith Richards diagnosis, Hackney Diamonds is set to be a success, with many reviewers including Hot Press' Rolling Stones expert Pat Carty describing the album as one of the bands best in years. The principle track of Hackney Diamonds, 'Angry' has been well- received with Euphoria actress Sydney Sweeney appearing in a nostalgia fuelled music video. The video features Sweeney driving down Hollywood Boulevard in a Rolling-Stones-red-convertible, evoking old rock 'n' roll glamour with new Richards riffs.

Recording of Hackney Diamonds began straight off the back of the Stones' 60th anniversary tour (Sixty). Mick Jagger wanted to go straight in the studio which Richards told the BBC: 'hit me in the right spot. I've always wanted to record the band as soon after we get off of the road, because the band is lubricated'.The production war headed by Andrew Watt who has worked with diverse artists ranging from Justin Bieber, to Iggy Pop, to Post Malone. The star power doesn't end with Watt or The Rolling Stones with additional personnel including Lady Gaga, Elton John, Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder. Whether the album is a commercial success remains to be seen with the release date set for October 20th.

Having told the BBC in 2020 that he'd 'celebrate the Stones 60th anniversary in a wheelchair', does the rockstar have any plans for slowing down?  Richards is pretty sanguine about the whole thing: "My answer is I'm not Nostradamus.... of course it's going to end some time, but there's no particular rush. There's a lot of stuff in the can which is pretty damn good".