The Rolling Stones today announce their new album, Hackney Diamonds, with a live streamed interview from east London - but it is just the latest chapter in the band’s London history.
Jimmy Fallon will speak to Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood about the first album of new material released since the death of drummer Charlie Watts. The event will be broadcast live on YouTube.
Watts will appear on the album, and there are rumours of other guest stars including Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder and Lady Gaga.
The new record was teased in the Hackney Gazette. A phone number was provided, 0202 3932 6088, on which a mystery man with a cockney accent referred people to www.hackneydiamonds.com, which allowed people to register their email address for further updates. Teasingly, the print advert says: “Opening our new store on Mare Street, September 2023.”
But the band have had a close relationship with London throughout their career, from the swinging ‘60s to famous Hyde Park shows, and from court appearances to the Carnaby Street shop which stocks goods emblazoned with the ubiquitous lips logo.
To watch the live stream of the Jimmy Fallon interview for the release of Hackney Diamonds, go to The Rolling Stones’ YouTube channel.
1. The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones’ history has been closely tied to London. (Photos by Getty)
2. Charlie Boy
A stylish Charles Robert Watts aged two with his mother Lillian and father Charles in Trafalgar Square in 1943. Charlie was known as Charlie Boy- while his dad was called Charlie. This previously unseen image will formed part of The Rolling Stones - Exhibitionism at London’s Saatchi Gallery in April 2016. (Photo by Linda Roots/Getty Images)
3. Ronald David Wood
Ronald David Wood (Ronnie Wood) aged four in 1951, at his home in Whitehorn Avenue, Yiewsley, west London. The image was part of The Rolling Stones - Exhibitionism at the Saatchi Gallery in 2016. (Photo by Property RW/Getty Images)
4. Fooling
The Rolling Stones messing about on a wall at Embankment on May 4 1963. (Photo by Keystone Features/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)