Rolling Stones share song with Paul McCartney, perform with Lady Gaga

The Rolling Stones celebrated the launch of their new album Hackney Diamonds by performing with Lady Gaga

Music News Paul McCartney
Rolling Stones share song with Paul McCartney, perform with Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga and The Rolling Stones Photo: Kevin Mazur

Hackney Diamonds, The Rolling Stones’ first album of original material in 18 years, is here. To celebrate, the legendary band played a short set at a 500-seat club in New York City, which included famous audience members like Daniel Craig, Rachel Weisz, Mary Kate Olsen, Chris Rock, Jimmy Fallon, Trevor Noah, Taylor Hill, Christie Brinkley, Ed Burns, Keegan-Michael Key, Minka Kelly, Christy Turlington, Diana Krall, and Elvis Costello, per Variety. Though the band was sans late drummer Charlie Watts, his hand-picked stand-in Steve Jordan played percussion for Ronnie Wood, Keith Richards, and Mick Jagger, and by all reports brought the house down. Plus, the band was joined on stage by none other than Lady Gaga.

According to Rolling Stone, the band of the same name played a few old songs along with the new, including “Shattered,” “Tumblin’ Dice,” and “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” as well as Hackey Diamonds tracks “Angry” and “Whole Wide World.” Gaga joined the group for their encore, performing their new collaboration “Sweet Sound Of Heaven.” (Stevie Wonder, though not present at the show, is also featured on the album track.)

The Rolling Stones Ft. Gaga # Sweet Sounds OF Heaven

The album launch also included a performance of the new track “Bite My Head Off,” which on the album features bass playing from none other than Paul McCartney. “He had been doing some work with [producer] Andrew Watt as well, and happened to be around and dropped by,” Richards told Guitar Player of the iconic Beatles/Stones crossover. “I don’t even think he intended to play bass on a track, but once he was in there, I just said, ‘Come on, you’re in. You ain’t leaving till you play.’”

The song is a hilariously grumpy rocker: “Why ya bite my head off, acting such a jerkoff,” Jagger sings. “You think I’m your bitch, I’m fucking with your brain.” Putting on a Scouse accent over the interlude, he calls out, “C’mon Paul, let’s hear something.”

The Rolling Stones — Bite My Head Off Feat. Paul McCartney (Lyric video)

“The school boy! He was so happy,” Wood told NME of the collaboration with McCartney. The guitarist also teased more to come in the future: “He actually played on two tracks, one which we’ve got up our sleeve for, you know, more music to come because we cut about 23 songs and we only picked the first 12.”

3 Comments

  • panthercougar-av says:

    I don’t notice it as much around here, but most of the time when I see an article about The Stones there are the inevitable comments that they need to hang it up. I saw them on their last US tour two years ago, and it was an amazing show. While Keith has certainly lost a few steps, Mick is just unbelievable. He is still an absolutely amazing frontman, and still outperforms people 50 years younger than himself. I spent more than I would like to admit on good seats, and yes they are filthy rich and don’t need the money, but go to one of their shows and it’s clear no one is phoning it in. Mick clearly still takes a lot of pride in his performances, and it’s almost impossible to look away from him during a show. 

    • normchomsky1-av says:

      Plus their new album sounds just as good as they’ve ever been. 

      • panthercougar-av says:

        It’s a very good album and I’m really enjoying it. Would I rank it up there with their best albums? No, but anyone expecting them to release another Sticky Fingers at this point in their career is being unrealistic. I’m just super stoked to have a new album by The Stones in ‘23 that I genuinely enjoy, it’s a gift! 

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