Keith Richards hints Rolling Stones 2012 tour could still happen

By Marissa Charles Nov 15, 2011, 20:50 GMT

The World Premiere for 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides', Disneyland, Anaheim, California. - Russ Einhorn / Splash News

Keith Richards has reignited hopes that the Rolling Stones will tour in 2012 to mark their 50th anniversary.

His comments come two months after lead singer Mick Jagger, 68, appeared to rule out the idea of a tour in an interview with Rolling Stone Magazine, amid rumours that the pair had fallen out over the publication of Richards’ revealing memoir, Life.

But although he won't confirm that a tour will definitely go ahead, Richards hints that all hope is not lost.

Talking about the prospect of the group getting together for an anniversary tour, the 67-year-old guitarist tells the Los Angeles Times: 'The Stones still work.

'I know it’s an all important point, but there's nothing more I'm going to say about that. But the Stones will pull it together. It always comes easy once you get the bunch of guys together [sic].

'It's the getting the guys together that's the hard part.'

And according to the LA Times, Richards, guitarist Ronnie Wood and drummer Charlie Watts are scheduled to gather in London later this month to rehearse for the first time in three years.

The iconic group, which was formed in April 1962, are re-releasing their 1978 album Some Girls, complete with previously unreleased singles and re-mastered original tracks.

Richards, who was famously battling a heroin addiction at the time Some Girls was recorded, says revisiting the album brought back vivid memories.

'Going back to the music, it immediately transports me back in time,' he says. “It's like, 'Beam me up, Scotty'. When I'm listening to it, I can see the room where we are. I can smell it. It was the last album I did on the stuff…'