The long-running tension between Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards and Elton John reportedly began after a disastrous Rolling Stones performance in 1975. Elton had joined the band on stage in Colorado, but the set didn’t go as planned — and both sides came away frustrated.
According to reports, Elton John felt Keith was out of it during the show, and the chaos on stage reflected that. In later interviews, Keith Richards criticized Elton, calling his music “superficial” and joking that he looked like “a man with a hairpiece and sequins.”
Elton John didn’t stay quiet either. In a 2010 interview, he fired back, saying, “Keith is just an attention-seeking old tart. He’s so pathetic.” Their war of words would continue in the press for years.
While many fans hoped the two icons would make peace, there’s no public sign of reconciliation. Their feud remains one of classic rock’s most famous personality clashes — rooted in pride, performance, and a clash of styles that never quite got resolved.
