Who actually wears what? Keith Richards and presenter Jimmy Fallon discussed this question in a humorous backstage video at the Rolling Stones press conference on Wednesday (September 6th).
“I was told not to wear anything too light,” Richards says in the roughly unanimous video, in which he and Fallon sit backstage trying on scarves and joking with one another. “That looks good on you,” Richards acknowledged Fallon, before adding, “This looks like crap on me, I know that!”
When Fallon commented that his own scarf and hat tryout outfit was a bit too much of a good thing, Richards replied, “Yeah, then they would mistake you for me.” After a little sneering, the guitarist laughs: “Oh, let’s just blow that thing off then!”.
Nothing was called off, of course — and you can see which outfits Fallon and Richards ended up choosing here:
What happened at the press conference
As announced, the Rolling Stones presented their new album “Hackney Diamonds” on Wednesday (September 6th, 2023). Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood revealed all the details at the Hackney Theater in London.
Keith on the title: “We’re a London band and wanted to honor that”. Mick: “If you get your windshield shattered on a Saturday night, typical in Hackney…”
Mick and Ronnie on the duration of the recording: “23 songs, recorded around Christmas, mixed in January and due in February”. Twelve come on the record.”
On the loss of Charlie Watts, Keith says, “He remains our fourth band member and he’s looking down on us right now. We miss him terribly. Steve Jordan now replaces him. Charlie gave us the blessing before he died.”
Mick: “Two songs were recorded with Charlie in 2019”. Bill Wyman plays bass on one of the two Watts songs. This means that the Rolling Stones have been reunited for at least one piece since 1975.
Keith: “We also talked about ‘Hit and Run’, ‘Smash and Grab’ as possible album titles”.
Keith: “The riff to ‘Angry’ is very funky.” Mick: ‘Bite my Head off’ is about girlfriends who can be very angry at you”. Ronnie: “Dreamy Skies’ is about lying on the beach and listening to Hank Williams.” Keith: “Tell me straight’? I can tell you straight up that I have no idea what the song is about.”
Mick: “In the studio you first play for yourself. Only then do you ask yourself – if we like it, will others like it too?”
Mick: “I don’t have a favorite Stones song, sorry.” Keith: “‘Gimme Shelter’ and ‘Jumpin’ Jack Flash'”.
Mick: The secret of a happy marriage? Don’t talk to each other too often.”
After that, the Stones made it exciting. The video premiere of “Angry” was supposed to take place at 4 p.m. – instead there was music on hold on the band’s YouTube channel.