Will Richards and Jagger's war of words spell the end of the Stones?

By RICHARD SIMPSON

They have been one of rock's most productive partnerships for 40 years.

But cracks are appearing in the relationship between clean-living Mick Jagger and his drug-ravaged bandmate Keith Richards.

Whispers are circulating that the Rolling Stones' touring days are numbered, as a war of words is driving a wedge between the group's two leading members.

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Different outlooks: Jagger and Richards on their Bigger Bang tour

In recent months, after spending much of the past three years on the road together for their marathon Bigger Bang tour, Richards has on numerous occasions publicly slated Sir Mick.

Yet now the Stones' frontman, 64, has taken a dig at Richards's forthcoming autobiography.

Asked about the in-progress book, Sir Mick said: "It will be interesting."

Asked to elaborate, he quipped: "Well, I would have thought that you'd actually have to be able to remember your life in order to write about it."

The growing resentment between the pair is, say insiders, rooted in Sir Mick's eternal energy and drive compared with Richards's often shambolic state on stage and off.

Two months ago, Richards branded his bandmate "vain" and a "power freak".

The guitarist, 64, who had brain surgery two years ago after falling out of a coconut tree, said: "He is a power freak and there's nothing we can do about it."

He added: "Mick's a maniac.

"He can't get up in the morning without knowing immediately who he's going to call.

"Meanwhile, I just go 'Thank God I'm awake' and wait for three or four hours before I do anything."

Richards and Jagger, the creative force behind the Stones, have known each other for more than 50 years having been at primary school together in Dartford, Kent.

They have fallen out from time to time over the years, one notable dispute triggered by Jagger's decision to accept a knighthood in 2003.

Jagger reacted by saying Richards criticising him was "like a bawling child who didn't get his ice cream".

Fans reacted to latest war of words on an unofficial Rolling Stones website yesterday.

One wrote: "The race is on.

"Keef slags Mick - 197, Mick slags Keef - two."

[Origin of the Species]