Keith Richards, guitarist of The Rolling Stones, shared his thoughts on their first collaboration with Beatle Paul McCartney in an interview with Matt Wilkinson on Apple Music 1.
Legendary rock band The Rolling Stones joined forces with Beatle McCartney for a track on their latest album, “Hackney Diamonds.” Richards expressed his enthusiasm for the long-awaited collaboration in the interview, saying, “I felt that it was bloody time.” He revealed his friendship with McCartney, which spans nearly six decades.
Richards also added that McCartney and John Lennon had provided backup vocals for The Rolling Stones in the 1960s, making this new partnership a reunion of sorts. “I’ve known Paul for 60 years, just about. Although him and John [Lennon] did do a few backup vocals with us in the ’60s. Great fun to play with,” Richards recalled. (RELATED: The Rolling Stones Announce First New Album Since 2005)
Keith Richards Says Recording New Rolling Stones Collaboration with Paul McCartney Felt ‘Like the Old Days’ https://t.co/JnedDqIkZU
— People (@people) October 24, 2023
The track, “Bite My Head Off,” features McCartney on bass guitar and can be found on The Rolling Stones‘ first album since “A Bigger Bang” in 2005. Richards fondly recalled the studio session with McCartney, Mick Jagger, Ronnie Wood, and himself, remarking that it felt like a return to the “good old days.”
“Hackney Diamonds,” released on a Friday, includes not only the collaboration with McCartney but also guest appearances by iconic artists like Stevie Wonder and Lady Gaga. The song “Sweet Sounds of Heaven” features Wonder and Gaga, adding an extra layer of star power to the album.
“The thing is, it was such a spontaneous and organic session. We knew that Stevie was coming by, and I think Gaga only dropped in because she happened to be working in a studio across the hallway and just walked in,” Richards said during the interview.