Ronnie Wood Talks Working with Lady Gaga and Losing Charlie Watts on The Tonight Show
The Rolling Stones bassist told Jimmy Fallon all about their Hackney Diamonds album, and shared something drummer Charlie Watts told him before his death in 2021.
It's basically Rolling Stones week at The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, with two members of the iconic rock band visiting their friend Jimmy Fallon in the same week. First up: Ronnie Wood, who sat down with Fallon on the October 18 episode to share details on making the Stones' Hackney Diamonds album.
"We hung out maybe a month ago in London," Fallon told Wood, referring to the September 6 livestream in which Fallon helped the Rolling Stones introduce their forthcoming record.
"He's like this all day long, you know," Wood told the Tonight Show audience.
"Am I too high energy?" Fallon asked.
"I went for dinner with him and had to have a lay down first," Wood said, providing proof in the form of a photo snapped of the bass guitarist sleeping in an incredible blanket made from Rolling Stones shirts.
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Wood was overjoyed to hold the first Rolling Stones album of new material since 2005 in his hands, and equally eager to talk about working with Lady Gaga on the song "Sweet Sound of Heaven," featuring Stevie Wonder on piano, who Wood calls a "genius."
Ronnie Wood on making music after Charlie Watts' death
Fallon pointed out that Hackney Diamonds is the bands' first album since the 2021 death of Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts in 2021.
"Some things are beyond our control, and losing Charlie was one of those things," Wood told Fallon. Sharing that he was the last band member to see Watts, "before he did pass, he said to me—and to the band—'you get Steve Jordan to cover for me.'"
Watts' hand-picked successor Steve Jordan indeed plays drums on Hackney Diamonds. "And Steve is like a rocket ship behind you," Wood raved.
Keith Richards will also visit The Tonight Show following Wood's appearance
The celebration of Hackney Diamonds' October 20 release continues on Friday, when Rolling Stones original member Keith Richards visits The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
