(Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images)

[lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Elton John[/lastfm] has no interest in reading [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Keith Richards[/lastfm]‘ memoir, Life. “I was a bit put off by hearing the bit about Mick’s [Jagger] p**is,” says Elton. “I’m a big Mick fan. If I said that [my songwriting partner] Bernie Taupin was a miserable ***t and had a small p**is, he’d probably never talk to me again. It’s like, ‘Why do that?’ especially with someone you’re in a working relationship with.“

[photogallerylink id=20369 align=left]Elton and Richards have traded insults over the years. In 1988, Richards said Elton was a “lovely bloke, but posing.” And in 1997 he said seeing Elton sing at Princess Diana’s funeral “did jar a bit — writing songs for dead blondes — but he was a personal friend, after all. I’d find it difficult to ride on the back of something like that myself, but Reg [Elton's real name] is showbiz.” Elton fired back, saying, “I just think he’s an ass**** and I have for a long time. He’s so pathetic, poor thing. It’s like a monkey with arthritis, trying to go on stage and look young.”

Elton will perform with [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Leon Russell[/lastfm] on the Late Show with [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]David Letterman[/lastfm] on Wednesday.