Jagger's a vain power freak, says bandmate

Rolling Stone Keith Richards has branded bandmate Mick Jagger a “power freak”, slated the Led Zeppelin reunion and expressed regret over his past excesses.

The music legend – who famously claimed to have snorted his father’s ashes but later denied it – is now something of an anti-drugs crusader.

Asked what message he would send to his younger self, Richards told 'Uncut' magazine: “I’d have said ’Lay off the dope.’ That’s my advice now to all younger members who are into this sort of thing – oh, give it up, it ain’t really worth it. I know the fascination, but it ain’t worth it, pal.”

In the wide-ranging interview, Richards, 64, spoke about his relationship with Jagger, the band’s energetic frontman.

He said: “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. He is a power freak and there’s nothing we can do about it. I don’t want to do anything about it. Let him bugger about. It doesn’t make any difference to what we do.”

The star was speaking from his home in the Turks and Caicos Islands to promote 'Shine A Light', Martin Scorsese’s documentary about the Stones.

Asked about Jagger’s on-stage presence, Richards retorted: “Excuse me while I laugh. He’s a bit vain, let’s put it like that.”

But he added: “We want a vain bloke up there, don’t we? Meanwhile, the band can go to work. Vanity will not carry a band. But a band can carry vanity.”

Asked about today’s music scene, Richards replied: “I don’t listen to what’s going on. I don’t like CDs, quite honestly. They sound tinny to me.”

And he said of the recent Led Zeppelin reunion: “They had one? Well, well done Jimmy and Robert. F*** off. 'Stairway To Heaven' don’t make it for me, baby.”

But he did have some kind words for Christina Aguilera, who joined the band on stage last year: “Very nice. Very nice chick. Nice bum.”

:: The full interview is in 'Uncut' magazine, out tomorrow.