US talk show host Jimmy Fallon has parodied many celebrities – and usually does so not only very skillfully, but often in the presence of those he parodies. Just think of his imitations of Neil Young or Bruce Springsteen, which were so good that Young and Springsteen later even appeared in great skits.
On Wednesday (September 6th), Fallon hosted the Rolling Stones’ press conference where the band announced their upcoming album “Hackney Diamonds.” As expected, he didn’t hold back with parodies. Mick Jagger in particular had to believe in this, whose habitus, accent and dance style certainly offer a lot of substance for imitators.
When Mick Jagger and Keith Richards jokingly discussed whether the frontman had ever seen the inside of a church, Fallon jumped in and imitated the 80-year-old entering a church. Of course he did this in his usual exaggerated way. The audience laughed. Jagger’s reaction was a decidedly indignant one: “I don’t speak like that at all.”
You can see the whole thing here:
Fake outrage? Or just a little bit of truth? At the latest when they sang together (Fallon of course also imitated Jagger’s voice), Mick seemed to enjoy the whole thing. And let’s be honest: that’s just how you talk already a little bit!
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.