This weekend, a meme was floating around the interwebs of a dashing looking Mick Jagger next to the less-than-energetic Mitch McConnell with the caption: “Mick Jagger is 80. Mitch McConnell is 81. The benefits of a life of sex, drugs, and rock-‘n’-roll should not be ignored.”
As McConnell continues to have questionable health issues, Jagger and the rest of the Rolling Stones have a new album of original material on the way – their first in nearly 20 years! Maybe there is something to be said for some of those stonelike vices…
Saying they are welcoming a “new era,” yesterday the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers announced “Hackney Diamonds,” their first album of new music since 2005’s “A Bigger Bang.” The band said, “Hackney may be at the heart of Hackney Diamonds, but this is a truly global moment we want to share with fans around the world via YouTube.”
While details are minimal, Jagger, Keith Richards, and Ronnie Wood will reveal additional information during a YouTube broadcast – from the actual London borough of Hackney – with Jimmy Fallon on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. ET/ 6:30 a.m. PT
Fans have been anticipating news after Jagger began posting clips of ice and diamonds on the familiar Stones mouth logo. He included the web address for hackneydiamonds.com, which would redirect visitors to the band’s site. The band also posted photos of the logo next to global landmarks and took out ads in London’s local paper, the Hackney Gazette.
The ad – for a fake glass company – also directed people to the band’s site with the tagline “Our friendly team promises you satisfaction. When you say gimme shelter we’ll fix your shattered windows.”
Last year, Richards told Rolling Stone the band’s upcoming project would include the final recordings of longtime drummer Charlie Watts, who passed away in 2021. Steve Jordan has been Watts’ live replacement and filled in elsewhere.
Of course the Stones continue to have one of the most well-regarded live shows, so we can expect them to hit the road again with “Hackney Diamonds.” With the new music and their decades of classics, there is bound to be a “few” songs fans will be excited to see performed live. Now, I’m off to live like Jagger…
