The Rolling Stones: Keith Jabs Jagger’s Memory (2009)

By Marcelo Sonaglioni on November 21, 2025 • ( 1 Comment )

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Rolling Stones quotes: Keith Richards, about Jagger’s bad memory (2009)

KEITH ON MICK’S MEMORY
Keith Richards didn’t mince words in 2009 when poking fun at Mick Jagger’s famously shaky memory. He joked that Mick could never write a book because he’d forget half the story, calling him out for endless phone calls asking what happened on random dates. According to Keith, Mick’s recollections are more “yarns” than truths, with the nuances lost along the way. It’s classic Stones banter—sharp, cheeky, and dripping with rock ’n’ roll mischief.

“I would never take Mick’s recollection of anything seriously… That is why Mick can never write a book. He can’t remember anything. I mean, he once, many years ago, was going to write a book. And all I got was a load of phone calls. What we were doing August 14…? Because he doesn’t remember a thing! Especially the nuances. He’s going to spin you a yarn. He doesn’t feel he’s under any obligation to tell you the truth.”

*Click for MORE ROLLING STONES QUOTES THROUGH THE YEARS

Keith Being Keith: A Classic Dig at Jagger’s Memory

Keith Richards has always had a talent for sharp wit—and in 2009, he didn’t hold back when it came to Mick Jagger’s memory (or lack thereof). “I would never take Mick’s recollection of anything seriously,” he said with his usual grin and bite. According to Keith, Jagger’s not just forgetful—he’s practically incapable of remembering anything in detail, especially when it comes to the band’s tangled past. That’s why, in Keith’s eyes, Mick could never write a proper book. Because how do you tell your life story when you can’t even remember what happened on August 14?

Keith Richards refers to Mick’s Memoir. Don’t Count on It!

Keith goes on to poke fun at a time when Mick supposedly attempted to write his own book. Instead of making progress, Richards claims Jagger bombarded him with calls, asking for help piecing together their shared history—down to the exact dates and details. “Because he doesn’t remember a thing,” Keith quipped, clearly enjoying the jab. “Especially the nuances.”

That last point is classic Richards: for him, the real story is in the subtle stuff—the feelings, the chaos, the untold drama. And Mick? Keith jokes that he’d rather “spin you a yarn” than stick to the facts. There’s no malice here—just the familiar banter of two old friends who’ve weathered it all. But it’s pure Keith: blunt, hilarious, and just a little bit cutting.

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