Herald Sun: Richards slams Macca for axing show [19jan03]
(
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/com...5E2862,00.html)
Richards slams Macca for axing show
By PAUL STEWART
19jan03
ROLLING Stones guitarist Keith Richards has lashed out at former Beatle Sir
Paul McCartney for calling off an Australian tour because of the Bali
bombings.
And the rocker, who is often described as "elegantly wasted" said he wouldn't
let the threat of terrorism change him. "I say to Osama and the boys bring it
on, evaporate me," Richards said on the eve of the band's Australian tour.
"If it gets to the stage where these guys are dictating if we rock or not,
then forget about it. "If McCartney uses these guys as an excuse, he should
give it away. Don't give them the power.
"I can't wait to tour Australia, even if they take out my plane on the way
there." Richards was in his Connecticut home – an hour's drive from New York
City –when the World Trade Centre was attacked. "My son was actually dropping
off my granddaughter at school in New York, but thank God he was running on
Richards time, which is a fashionable hour late," he said. "He actually saw
the planes hit the buildings. My house was like a refugee camp because he and
his family all came out to stay, as did some of Mick's (Jagger) family. "I
was born during the Blitz – remember when Adolf Hitler bombed London? – so
it was nothing new to me." Richards said he was looking forward to the
Australian tour, because "we always have so much fun there". "I can't wait to
play Melbourne and yell out to the crowd 'Show us your map of Tasmania'," he
said. "I remember playing Melbourne. Hell, I can even remember visiting
Albury." He also displayed a surprising knowledge of Australian country music
by singing Slim Newton's The Red Back On The Toilet Seat down the phone from
New York. And he's even a fan of the other, more famous, Slim. "Of course I
know Slim Dusty. Who doesn't?" Richards said. But Richards was less relaxed
about jokes concerning The Stones' ages. He and Jagger turn 60 this year,
drummer Charlie Watts will be 62 in June and guitarist Ron Wood, the baby of
the band, turns 56 the same month. Critics have claimed they are too old to
rock, but Richards said: "I don't care what anyone is saying. Man, we are
never going to give it away. You tell them down there that Mr Richards is
still very up for this gig." Richards revealed the Stones have a vast reserve
of unreleased material. "I know for a fact that there are many complete
tracks lying around already," he said. "What The Stones have released so far
has been only the tip of the iceberg compared with what we have in storage."
The Rolling Stones will appear at Rod Laver Arena on February 25, February 27
and March 1. To book, ring Ticketek on 132 849.
Keith Richards on Paul Canceling Australia
Linear Mode
