Keith Richards, 79, says a Rolling Stones hologram concert ‘is bound to happen’ – whether he likes it or not
Keith Richards says a Rolling Stones hologram concert is “happening” – whether he likes it or not.
The rock veteran, 79, shocked fans when he said he wouldn’t rule out the idea during an interview with Matt Wilkinson on Apple Music 1 on Tuesday.
It would mean that future generations could experience the band in full Sixties swing with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) and computer generated imagery (CGI).
It comes just after the band released their 24th UK studio album, Hackney Diamonds.
Keith, 79, said: “Well, I certainly wouldn’t rule it out. I’m pretty sure this is definitely going to happen. Do I want it? That is something else.’
Legend: Keith Richards, 79, says a Rolling Stones hologram concert is ‘happening’ – whether he likes it or not (pictured at this month’s Hackney Diamonds album launch)
He continued, “But I don’t know if I want to hang around long enough, man. But at the same time, it won’t be my fault, right?’
The Rolling Stones’ new album comes with a handful of surprise guest appearances, most notably from Motown legend Stevie Wonder, pop pioneer Lady Gaga and former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney.
The twelve-track LP is their first original album since the release of 2005’s A Bigger Bang and comes just sixteen months after the death of drummer Charlie Watts.
The rock star also revealed that fans could expect a new album after recovering from their new release.
“I think we will think about it carefully as we recover from Hackney Diamonds,” he added.
Keith said, “But the reason these twelve are on there is because these are the best. Moreover, you have to draw the line somewhere. Some of them are good because they are not quite ready yet, but they still need some work.
“But there’s one more in there, I think, maybe with a few more additions. But like I said, let me get this out of the way right now, man.”
This isn’t the first time a Rolling Stone has toyed with the idea of a hologram tour, with Mick Jagger, 80, talking about the possibility of living on with a ‘posthumous tour’ that will emulate the band on stage.
Rock N Roll: It could mean that future generations can experience the band in the swing of the sixties. Pictured from left to right, Ronnie Wood, Lady Gaga, Mick Jagger, Steve Jordan and Keith
While he didn’t specify whether his band would perform a hologram show, it’s not the first time he’s brought it up.
He told The Wall Street Journal: “You can have a posthumous company now, right? You can get a posthumous tour. Technology has really evolved since the ABBA thing, which I was supposed to go to, but I missed it.”
Although he hasn’t considered whether the “Start Me Up” rockers – who have been touring for more than 60 years – could perform their own digital hologram concert in the future, he is intrigued by the “technology breakthrough.”
In a previous chat with Matt Wilkinson, the music legend said: “It would be stupid to give you a one-line answer because I haven’t really thought about it honestly.
‘The ABBA stuff gives you these kind of technological breakthroughs, which I haven’t really seen yet.
‘I should have gone and looked, but there was a train strike. So I wasn’t allowed to go. I didn’t take the train, but… the traffic was horrible, so I can’t really answer that.
“Obviously technology will give you some answers to this, and who knows what technology awaits us in the future?
“We’re already in an AI world where we’re doing this kind of thing, and you can also do a lot of musical things without too much complicated automation.”
Hitmakers: The rock star also revealed fans could expect a new album after recovering from their new release, Hackney Diamonds