The Rolling Stones’ tenacious longevity seemed unbreakable. Even the old adage that used to spur people to spend money on a ticket — “You have to go see them, because they might not do any more concerts” — had been banished. There came a point when everyone knew it wasn’t their last show; that the machine of the greatest rock and roll band in history would keep chugging along.

But something changed when the band’s plans for a European tour in 2026 were canceled. Officially, no reason was given… although some media outlets are certain that Keith Richards jumped ship from the Stones. Arthritis is being mentioned, although the guitarist has suffered from it for many years. In interviews, he has pointed out that this condition has forced him to play differently and has, in a way, even improved him as an instrumentalist. Or perhaps it’s just that the ordeal of facing four months away from home, traveling extensively (albeit with all the creature comforts, and with physiotherapists and doctors available 24-hours-a-day) and slinging a guitar for two hours a night is no longer worth it for him.

There’s no reason to worry about Richards’ health, as he’s recently been seen in clubs playing the guitar. However, these performances were brief.

The Rolling Stones last performed in Spain on June 1, 2022. All the reviews described it as a great show, with the band (now without drummer Charlie Watts, who passed away in August 2021) in good form, despite the fact that Jagger and Richards were 78-years-old at the time. Ronnie Wood turned 75 that day.

The opening act at Atlético Madrid’s stadium was Sidonie, a Spanish indie rock band. Their singer, Marc Ros, recalls that night for EL PAÍS: “We were forbidden from watching the soundcheck, but we ignored the ban. It was a unique opportunity to see our idols up close, so we weren’t going to miss it.”

“Suddenly, a limousine pulls up to the stage and Ronnie Wood gets out; then another [limo] appears with Mick Jagger. And, finally, Keith Richards [shows up]: he needs help getting up the ramp. [At first], you see an old man… but then he starts rehearsing Tumbling Dice and his guitar sounds incredible.”

“During the concert,” Ros continues, “in front of 45,000 people, that elderly man transforms and puts on a sensational show. I saw Keith in top form. If that turns out to be the Stones’ last concert in Spain, I think it was a great send-off.”

The Rolling Stones, performing on June 1, 2022 at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, in what is their last concert in Spain.Claudio Alvarez

From now on, a range of scenarios is opening up — not all of them welcome to fans. The big question is whether The Rolling Stones are finished as a live band. This would be a perfectly logical possibility, given that they’ve been touring since the 1960s. The group has outdone itself, including in Spain: they’ve performed in the country 23 times since their debut in Barcelona, back in 1976. That concert at the Plaza de Toros Monumental was organized by Gay Mercader, the most important promoter in Spain.

Mercader has managed the most Spanish tours for the British group and has a close relationship with Richards. “I think the Stones, [as a live band], are probably finished. Keith has had joint problems for a long time. I remember, 20 years ago, I saw that his knuckles were deformed. I asked him: ‘Doesn’t it hurt when you play?’ He answered ‘no.’ But the latest information I have tells me that he’s not in the physical condition to do a tour,” Mercader explains, in a conversation with EL PAÍS.

The promoter offers a conclusive piece of information: “What also happens is that, when musicians are 75 or older, you can’t find an insurance company that will cover these concerts that generate so many millions [of dollars]. So, if a date is cancelled due to illness…”.

 Keith Richards performing Chuck Berry’s Christmas classic ‘Run Rudolph Run,’ in New York City on November 5, 2025. 

Javier Cosmen Concejo, an expert on The Rolling Stones, who has authored a couple of books about the band, believes it’s unlikely that the British group will ever play in a stadium again. “I think it’s quite improbable. Information coming from his inner circle indicates that Richards’ decision is firm.”

Still, nothing has stopped the guitarist until now. He was addicted to heroin for a decade; the police were hot on his heels during those years, claiming that they were “setting an example by putting a famous musician — who played degenerate rock and roll — in jail.” Then, he had a well-known accident in 2006, when he fell out of a tree (not a coconut tree, as was reported): he suffered a head injury that caused blood clots that could only be removed with delicate surgery. Mick Jagger’s health problems also forced the cancellation of several concerts in 2019, as he had to be treated for heart issues.

Some fans — having seen many of the band’s concerts — are actually relieved by the possibility that they won’t be performing anymore. These are the music lovers who, for some time now, have been considering that perhaps there comes a point when you have to stop going to see your idols. This is because the concerts are repetitive and, naturally, with the passing years, the decline in abilities takes its toll.

Cosmen is one of these fans: “When I saw them in 2007, I said, ‘No more.’ But the next tour, there I was again. The decision to perform without Charlie Watts already seemed a bit immoral to me. The Stones have been touring for a long time and have barely changed their setlist. Their last concerts weren’t very motivating, to be honest,” he sighs.“On the positive side, there’s almost a social aspect, which [comes from] seeing someone older demonstrate tremendous vitality. In that sense, they’re an example.”

Marc Ros, the singer from Sidonie, who has played for the Stones’ audience, points to those sentimental feelings, which are surely what the group seeks (beyond money) with the tours: “It’s that the Stones’ audience makes you feel young, even if you’re 80-years-old.”

The image of Keith Richards on the giant screens with the band playing during a concert in July 2024 in Los Angeles.Gilbert Flores (Variety via Getty Images)

There are alternatives to seeing the creators of (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction in large stadiums that fans don’t even want to hear about. For instance, a Rolling Stones without Keith Richards. Let’s remember that, throughout their six decades of existence, the band lost members, yet nothing stopped them. In the early years, pianist Ian Stewart left “because he didn’t have the right look”; in 1969, the band fired the already-difficult Brian Jones, who died a few months after being dismissed; in 1974, Mick Taylor quit to recover from his hard drug addiction and because he was hurt that his contributions to the songs weren’t credited; in 1993, Bill Wyman left, tired of the long tours; and, in 2023, they made the decision to continue after the death of the great Charlie Watts.

Now, it doesn’t seem realistic that Mick Jagger would go on tour without his longtime friend. And even less so now that the two bandleaders have learned to tolerate each other, even when they subtly throw barbs. This is quite unlike the 1980s, when their disagreements nearly broke up the band. What Jagger could do is perform solo, without The Rolling Stones brand. It worked in the 1980s, but back then, there was a feud between him and Richards, and the lead vocalist also had solo albums to promote in concert. This time around, that’s not the case.

In a recent article in Rolling Stone magazine, music critic Andy Greene considers the possibility of the band doing a residency in Las Vegas, an option that has worked in recent years for U2, Adele and the Eagles. “A Rolling Stones Sphere residency would be a major cultural event that would attract fans from all over the world, no matter how much they charged for tickets. Many fans would take out a second mortgage on their homes just to see this show, especially if there were no others,” argues Greene.

Keith Richards with his partner, Patti Hansen, before entering the 50th Anniversary party of the ‘Saturday Night Live’ show, in February 2025.NBC (Theo Wargo/NBC via Getty Images)

Mercader, the promoter, believes the band only tours when they’re at 100%: “They set the bar very high. They don’t play concerts just for the sake of it. They don’t perform for money, but because they enjoy it. Their standards are very high. [When I] was their promoter in Spain, [I saw] them rehearse before playing. By that, I mean, they rehearsed almost the entire concert. With such a level of commitment, they can’t afford to tarnish their image if they’re not in top form. They have such high personal pride that they wouldn’t tolerate playing regular concerts.” So, will we see Richards on stage more often? “Keith will continue to collaborate live with other musicians, because music isn’t over for him. But touring might be,” Mercader acknowledges.

Cosmen, who has written extensively about the band, believes that the Stones will still continue, just in a different sense: “I find it much more interesting that they release albums with new material, rather than watch them play old songs live.” Indeed, this possibility seems quite close.

Andrew Watt, the producer of the band’s latest and highly commendable album, Hackney Diamonds (2023), has indicated that they’ve already recorded 15 new tracks. And Ronnie Wood has confirmed this. It’s possible that the tour they were planning for 2026 would have been accompanied by the newly-released album, or at least some of its songs.

Despite their age and health setbacks, it seems certain that The Rolling Stones aren’t calling it quits anytime soon.

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