“The cigarettes I gave up in 2019. I haven’t touched them since. I gave up heroin in 1978. I gave up cocaine in 2006,” Richards informed the publication. “I still like a drink occasionally — because I’m not going to heaven any time soon — but apart from that, I’m trying to enjoy being straight. It’s a unique experience for me.”
Later on in the interview with The Telegraph, Richards discussed his thoughts on the aging process. “I’m blessed, maybe, that physically this thing just keeps going. So far, I have no real problem with getting old. There are some horrific things that you can see in the future, but you’ve got to get there,” Richards said. “I’m getting along with the idea of being 80, and still walking, still talking. I find [aging] a fascinating process. But then, if you didn’t, you might as well commit suicide.”
The legendary guitarist was speaking to The Telegraph about his career, the state of music and his band’s comeback album ‘Hackney Diamonds’.
“I don’t want to start complaining about pop music,” Richards said. “It’s always been rubbish. I mean, that’s the point of it.
“They make it as cheap and as easy as possible and therefore it always sounds the same; there’s very little feel in it.”
He added: “I like to hear music by people playing instruments. That is, I don’t like to hear plastic synthesised muzak, as it used to be known, what you hear in elevators, which is now the par for the course.”
Giving his take on rap music, he continued: “I don’t really like to hear people yelling at me and telling me it’s music, AKA rap. I can get enough of that without leaving my house.”
They’ve since revealed that a new documentary about the album is in the works, which is being made with Fulwell 73, the same team behind The Kardashians series.
“The film will chart the band as they started working on the 12 tracks which appear on ‘Hackney Diamonds’,” a source close to the project told The Sun’s Bizarre column (via The Mirror). “It will give followers an intimate and candid look at Mick, Keith and Ronnie as they work their magic in the studio, including the banter between them.”
The source also claimed that the documentary, the title of which has not yet been revealed, will also contain “nods to Charlie Watts”. ‘Hackney Diamonds’ is the band’s first album since Watts’ death in 2021. (NME)
Hackney Diamonds has landed on 20 October 2023, and features former member Bill Wyman on one track, as well as some tracks recorded with the late drummer Charlie Watts.
The vinyl release includes a purple-colored disc from Target and a limited-edition lime green disc with alternate cover art on Amazon standard-edition vinyl available for $29.99 as of this writing, an 11% discount from the listed price. This is a classic 12-inch, 180g black vinyl LP.
Amazon also has the Rolling Stones vinyl in an exclusive lime green colorway and with an alternate cover.
Hackney Diamonds' tracklist:
1. Angry
2. Get Close (feat. Elton John)
3. Depending on You
4. Bite My Head Off (feat. Paul McCartney)
5. Whole Wide World
6. Dreamy Skies
7. Mess It Up (feat. Charlie Watts)
8. Live by the Sword (feat. Charlie Watts, Bill Wyman, and Elton John)
9. Driving Me Too Hard
10. Tell Me Straight
11. Sweet Sound of Heaven (feat. Lady Gaga and Stevie Wonder)
12. Rolling Stone Blues
