As reported, FC Barcelona will be releasing a jersey with the Rolling Stones’ tongue logo in collaboration with Spotify – the jersey will be available from October 28th, just over a week after the release of their new album “Hackney Diamonds”.
>>> our video interview with Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood here!
What was dropped rather casually by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood: “We are big football fans and are honored that Spotify has immortalized our ‘Tongue and Lips’ logo on the FC Barcelona jersey to celebrate the release of the new one Stones album ‘Hackney Diamonds'”. On November 5th, reports “Goal”, FC Barcelona will also be wearing the new jersey themselves at the women’s team’s game against Sevilla at the Johan Cruyff Stadium in Barcelona. And: “The Stones are also planning to be there. “We will be cheering on the players on the field as well as the fans around the world who will be watching this iconic game,” the band said. That means you can see the Stones there in the audience (theoretically).
Lots going on for the men: For the release of “Hackney Diamonds” there are also special pop-up shops in Germany with exclusive merch, as well as a bus that tours through Germany.
We last reported:
In an interview with “NME”, guitarist Ronnie Wood gave some insights into the new record, talks about the last days of their former drummer Charlie Watts and explains why the Rolling Stones should appear at the “Glastonbury” festival.
In September, Wood, Keith Richards and Mick Jagger announced their new album “Hackney Diamonds” at a press conference. This is her first with new songs in 18 years and therefore also the first after the death of her bandmate Charlie Watts. He died in 2021 after a short illness.
The new recording will consist of 12 songs, with Watts on drums on two of them. Steve Jordan was chosen as his successor and can be heard on the rest of the album. Ronnie Wood describes the difference between the two as follows: “The best way I can describe it is: Charlie was a firework with lots of bangers and Steve Jordan is like a bomb going off. We needed that extra push.”
The band has brought in all sorts of well-known reinforcements for their album. In addition to a feature from Lady Gaga and Stevie Wonder in “Sweet Sounds Of Heaven”, many other star musicians are there. Paul McCartney plays bass on “Bite My Head Off” and Elton John hits the keys on “Get Close” and “Live By the Sword”. “Mess It Up” and “Live By the Sword” were recorded with Charlie Watts – and the latter song contains a part from former bassist Bill Wyman, which the Stones will present again in their old quintet strength. A few weeks ago, their lead single “Angry” surprised everyone with the addition of Sydney Sweeney in the music video.
Music video for “Angry”:
Ronnie Wood remembers the recordings well, that he could still feel Charlie Watts’ energy in the recording studio after his death – and how he saw him for the last time: “I was the last person to see Charlie in the hospital in London before he died. He said, ‘I want to get out of here, but until I do, will you please have Steve Jordan fly the flag for me?’ And I said, don’t worry about it. We take care of you. Then he said: All right. Now get out so I can watch Frankie Dettori on TV! “Charlie loved the horse racing.”
Even for an experienced musician like Wood, it was something special to come together with so many good artists. He remembers rehearsing with Lady Gaga: “She just sat on the floor and sang along with Mick. A rough voice, you know. And Mick said: That sounds pretty good. Do you want to try this?’ She said: Yes. Well, come on then – get up and let’s work it out together! Seeing it all take shape was very satisfying.”
Regarding her collaboration with Paul McCartney, he gave hints that it would not be the last: “He was so happy. He even played on two tracks, one of which we still have up our sleeves because we cut 23 songs and only chose the first 12.” When asked, Wood explains that he doesn’t think it will be another 18 years until the next album.
The Rolling Stones have been in show business for an impressively long time, which now presents them with a new challenge with “Hackney Diamonds”. How much will they play live? Do you prefer the well-known, older songs or the new record? “That’s the next thing. Next week we’ll see how they can be implemented live. I have complete trust. We could play the whole album, you know what I mean? But [Mick und Keith] will say: Oh no Ron, that’s so ambitious. We won’t forget the old catalog. There are certain songs, “Paint It, Black” and “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” that need to be played. We only make room for, say, three or five songs.”
On the subject of Glastonbury Festival, one thing is certain: Ronnie Wood would love to be there: “I think it’s a must. If not next year, then… If not the Stones, then the Faces”.
“The iron has been in the fire for many years. There were different approaches to this. I always leave that to the original members, you know. I won’t interfere. “I’ll let Keith and Mick talk about it,” says the guitarist about a possible Rolling Stones biopic. Some fans probably already have an idea about the cast and are suggesting Harry Styles as Mick Jagger. Wood sees it a little differently: “Oh, I thought he was playing me! Harry is my buddy! I suppose he has that kind of fire, but I don’t think anyone has the cheek that Mick used to have – and still has. I mean, it has more façade than Harrods”.
Finally, when asked whether young bands continue to contribute to the survival of rock, he takes a look at the rock music of the younger generation: “I haven’t seen many live bands in a long time. A lot of people tell me about The 1975. I know the Arctic Monkeys play a lot. They’re always at Glastonbury. There’s a lot of music out there to pick up and I just hope more people play live like we do.”