STACK #228 October 2023

MUSIC FEATURE

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The Rolling Stones at the live global announcement of Hackney Diamonds, Sep 2023. Credit: Dave Hogan

DIAMONDS ARE THE STONES’ BEST FRIENDS

When it came time to choose feature artists for their smashing 24th album Hackney Diamonds – the now-trio's first album since the 2021 death of brilliant drummer Charlie Watts, whose talents appear on two tracks – iconic minerals-in-motion The Rolling Stones were only going to accept the very best to guest. That’s why all four of the non Stone musicians who appear on the English band's first set of fresh material in 18 years – Elton John, Lady Gaga, Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder – land in that oh-so-elite Diamond Certified basket. Here’s where and howThe Rolling Stones first met these singular talents, and how their (sometimes prickly!) relationships have progressed. Words Zoë Radas

Elton John in 1975, the year he played with The Rolling Stones at Fort Collins and also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Credit: Los Angeles Times

1973’s Goodbye Yellow Brick Road – was supposed to join the Stones on stage for one song: their opening number, Honkytonk Woman. And he did so, with great relish… but a little too much enthusiasm, it was to turn out. John decided to stay on-stage for the next song. And the next. And the next seven songs after that. He happily noodled his way through a good chunk of the show before the irritated Stones finally managed to shepherd’s hook him off-stage.

ELTON JOHN RILES UP RICHARDS Piano on Get Close + Live By the Sword There’s a long and hairy history of antagonism between Keith Richards and Elton John, which reportedly started at The Rolling Stones’ 1975 Fort Collins show. John – who had released 10 albums at this point in his career, including

12 OCTOBER 2023

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