The Rolling Stones have announced new album ‘Hackney Diamonds’.
The rock legends took control of East London’s Hackney Empire for a glitzy press conference, live-streamed across the globe. Host Jimmy Fallon chaired proceedings, with Mick Jagger and Keith Richards in conversation.
The band’s first album since ‘Blue and Lonesome’, it represents their first fully original work for 18 years – the wildly successful ‘A Bigger Bang’. On a somber note, it’s also the Rolling Stones first project since the passing of much-loved drummer Charlie Watts.
‘Hackney Diamonds’ was teased with a mysterious advert in the Hackney Gazette, sparking global headlines. A mysterious roll out campaign began, leading to today’s press conference.
Speaking onstage, Mick Jagger said:
“We were a bit too lazy… and suddenly we said let’s put a deadline. We had a chat, said let’s start the album at Christmas and finish it by Valentine’s.”
Keith Richards joked with the crowd, adding:
“We were flinging ideas around for titles… and we came up with ‘Hackney Diamonds’. Here’s a London band!”
Saluting his band mate, Keith added: “Ever since Charlie’s gone, it’s been different. He’s up there. He’s number four.”
The album has 12 tracks, and two songs feature Charlie Watts – the recordings date to 2019. Curiously, Bill Wyman returns for one track – his first Stones recording in several decades.
The Rolling Stones will release ‘Hackney Diamonds’ on October 20th.
