Taking the Mick! Rolling Stones legend Sir Mick Jagger caught cheekily poking fun at Sir Paul McCartney in the studio as the Beatle recorded a track for Hackney Diamonds
Rolling Stones legend Sir Mick Jagger was caught making fun of Sir Paul McCartney in the studio while the Beatle was recording a song for Hackney Diamonds.
You can hear the 80-year-old Jagger lovingly mocking McCartney's accent on Bite My Head Off, the fourth track on the album released by the legendary band in October.
Producer Andrew Watt said: 'Paul hit the switch during his bass solo and Mick literally says, in a Liverpudlian accent, “Come on, Paul, let's hear something”. You can't make it right. It was the Stones and the Beatles. And the smile on Paul's face just kept getting bigger and bigger.”
Watt told Rolling Stone magazine: 'It wasn't tough for them, it was great. We did three or four takes. Everyone was on fire. Because we were having so much fun, we played another song. When I walked out with Paul, he literally said, “I just played bass with the Stones – and I'm a Beatle.” These guys were like they were 18 again and you can hear that on the recording. It's wild.'
The groups have been rivals since the 1960s. McCartney, 81, once called the Rolling Stones “a blues cover band,” while guitarist Keith Richards released the Beatles album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band was a “mixture of nonsense.”
Mick Jagger of Rolling Stones attends the Rolling Stones 'Hackney Diamonds' album launch event on September 6, 2023 in London, UK Rolling Stones 'Hackney Diamonds' album launch, London, UK – September 6, 2023
Paul McCartney performs during a concert at the American Airlines Arena on July 7, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Gustavo
The Stones became the first band to have a number one album in six different decades with Hackney Diamonds. It was their 14th UK album chart topper, with the record-holding Beatles leading the way by two.
In October, Keith Richards claimed Jagger is still 'an asshole' as he admitted he 'still talks' to the late Charlie Watts in a rare interview.
Ahead of the release of Hackney Diamonds, the legendary guitarist, 79, discussed the band's new chapter.
Richards and Jagger, once nicknamed The Glimmer Twins, have endured many disagreements over the years, but Richards assured there was never any love lost for the “incredible frontman.”
Speaking to The Sun, he explained: 'People only hear about the downs. If you had a brother after sixty years, you would have had some ups and downs too, and ours is mostly about work.
'I say, “That's too cheesy,” and he says, “I love it,” and I say, “You're an asshole!” But the abrasiveness is minor compared to the harmony that continues all the time. Of course I love him.'
The Rolling Stones pose as they arrive for a launch event for their new album, 'Hackney Diamonds' at Hackney Empire in London on September 6, 2023
Hackney Diamonds marked the first Rolling Stones album since the death of beloved Watts, and Richards admitted the loss “hit him hard.”
“I'm still having conversations with the man, and I expect they will continue,” he added.
In September, The Rolling Stones paid tribute to Charlie when they announced the release date of Hackney Diamonds at a special live event with Jimmy Fallon in London.
Speaking on stage, Richards reflected on Watts' passing, saying: “It's been different since Charlie's been gone, he's number four.”
The guitarist continued, “He's missing, of course he's missed beyond belief, but thanks to Charlie we have Steve Jordan, who recommended him if anything happened to him.
“He's been a friend of ours, so he was a natural progression. Without Charlie's blessing it would have been a lot harder.”
The Rolling Stones have released a special live edition of their album Hackney Diamonds, performed in New York City.
The band performed seven songs at the launch event on October 19 at Racket in Manhattan, including the debut performance of Shattered, Tumbling Dice, Jumpin' Jack Flash and Sweet Sounds Of Heaven alongside Lady Gaga.