Rolling Stones - The Rolling Stones Turn 50, But Let's Not Forget Brian Jones

Keith Richards has been talking to BBC News about the 50th anniversary of The Rolling Stones. The legendary guitarist spoke to arts correspondent, Will Gompertz about the band's longevity and spared a moment to remember the late Brian Jones, the group's former guitarist, who died in 1969 at the age of 27. "I regret Brian dying, that was a real shock. I remember thinking 'Brian, how dare you leave the band' because we were all very close. I can't regret something, I'd go through the hard times again just to keep things as they are."

On the subject of regret, Keith admitted that he regretted some of his drug use, though more for the effort that it took him to shake certain addictions. "I wouldn't have taken certain things if I'd known what I'd have to do to get off of it. I can't think of any other real regrets." Jones is very much a part of the history of The Rolling Stones and many of the photographs at the current exhibition of the band (at London's Somerset House) will feature the guitarist. His tragic death did not hamper the band's progress though and they survived to carry on performing and writing new material throughout the next four decades.

When he was asked how he would describe his band's career, Richards answered "Fascinating and raunchy. Let's keep it that way." The free exhibition, named Rolling Stones: 50, marking the band's career is open from July 13, 2012 - August 27, 2012 and coincides with the publication of a book of the same name.