Via Instapundit and Tim Blair, Keith Richards is lashing out at Paul McCartney for canceling an Australian tour. The Stones tour will go on.

Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards has lashed out at former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney for calling off an Australian tour because of the Bali bombings.

"I say to Osama and the boys bring it on, evaporate me," Richards said on the eve of the band's Australian tour. "If it gets to the stage where these guys are dictating if we rock or not, then forget about it.

"If McCartney uses these guys as an excuse, he should give it away. Don't give them the power. I can't wait to tour Australia, even if they take out my plane on the way there."

And, you gotta love the guy on his attitude on age.

He and Jagger turn 60 this year, drummer Charlie Watts will be 62 in June and guitarist Ron Wood, the baby of the band, turns 56 the same month. Critics have claimed they are too old to rock, but Richards said: "I don't care what anyone is saying. Man, we are never going to give it away. You tell them down there that Mr Richards is still very up for this gig."

Ok, so we love Mick and Keith no matter what. Always have. We found the live concert last night at Madison Square Garden, shown for free on HBO, nothing short of mesmerizing. There will likely be repeats in the coming weeks, don't miss it.

Update: Via Drudge, Mayor Bloomberg is fuming that Keith Richards and Ron Wood smoked a few cigarettes on stage while perfomring and sent cops to issue summonses but they had already split...lighten up, Mayor, it's only rock and roll.