Get ready to rock! The Rolling Stones drop release date for highly anticipated new album and premiere fiery lead single ‘Angry’
The Rolling Stones are back with a bang, and they’ve brought some famous friends along for the ride. Their long-awaited album, “Hackney Diamonds,” marks their first collection of new songs in 18 years and features guest appearances from the likes of Lady Gaga, Paul McCartney, and Stevie Wonder. However, the album holds a poignant note as it includes the last recorded drumming from Charlie Watts, the iconic Stones drummer who passed away in 2021 after nearly six decades with the band. His drumming can be heard on two of the album’s tracks, while Steve Jordan fills in on the remaining songs.
In a truly nostalgic and emotional moment, the surviving Stones members Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Ronnie Wood arrived in London’s Hackney district to unveil the new album and reveal its release date – October 20. Paying tribute to Watts, Richards expressed, “Of course, he’s missed incredibly. But thanks to Charlie, we have Steve Jordan, who was his recommendation if anything should happen to him.”
The album reveal was done with the grandeur and showmanship that the Stones are renowned for. After a mysterious teaser campaign that included projecting a glittery version of their iconic mouth and tongue logo onto landmarks worldwide, the band held a special event at the Hackney Empire. Fans lined up in the scorching heat, eagerly waiting for the band members to take the stage for an interview with “The Tonight Show” host Jimmy Fallon.
Inside the historic hall where legends like Charlie Chaplin once performed, Jagger, Richards, and Wood shared details about the band’s first studio album of new songs since 2005. The lead single, “Angry,” sets the tone for the album, but Jagger emphasized that not all the tracks are furious – the album also includes love songs, ballads, and even country-themed tunes.
Recorded at studios across the globe in late 2022 and early 2023, the Stones collaborated with Grammy-winning producer Andrew Watt to create this star-studded album. Besides the renowned artists who feature on the album, Lady Gaga’s unexpected appearance on “Sweet Sound of Heaven” was a spontaneous and magical moment that stemmed from a chance encounter in a Los Angeles studio.
The band premiered the video for “Angry,” showcasing a classic Stones sound accompanied by “Euphoria” star Sydney Sweeney cruising through LA. As to why the Stones waited so long between albums, Richards jokingly blamed Jagger’s laziness, while Jagger highlighted the importance of creating music they truly love before sharing it with their fans.
The album’s title, “Hackney Diamonds,” pays homage to the band’s London roots, despite none of the members originating from Hackney. As the fans lined up to catch a glimpse of their rock icons, it was evident that the Stones continue to hold a special place in the hearts of their audience.
With a 60th-anniversary European tour in 2022 and a planned American tour in the pipeline, the Stones have shown no intentions of slowing down. As Wood aptly put it, retirement for this legendary band is simply impossible – the music must go on.
The Rolling Stones’ resilience, creativity, and enduring spirit shine through in “Hackney Diamonds,” a testament to their unmatched legacy in the world of music.
