By George Varga | The San Diego Union-Tribune
Are the Rolling Stones preparing to release a new album in September called “Hackney Diamonds?”
Speculation is mounting following a recent ad in the Hackney Gazette newspaper. The ad is for Hackney Diamonds, a company that bills itself as “specialists in glass repair” but whose website, hackneydiamonds.com, was registered by Universal Music Group, which handles the legendary band’s back catalog of recordings.
The ad itself references several classic songs by the Stones, whose touring saxophonist is longtime San Diego resident Karl Denson. The ad reads: “OUR FRIENDLY TEAM PROMISES YOU SATISFACTION. WHEN YOU SAY GIMME SHELTER WE’LL FIX YOUR SHATTERED WINDOWS. REGISTER YOUR INTEREST NOW!”
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For good measure, the ad uses a font similar to the font used on the cover of the band’s 1978 album, “Some Girls.” The ad also says “OPENING SEPTEMBER 2022.”
That could refer to the release date for a new album by the Stones, whose 2021 U.S. “No Filter” concert tour — postponed from 2020 by the COVID 19 pandemic — would have opened in San Diego had SDCCU Stadium not been torn down to make way for what is now Snapdragon Stadium.
The bottom of the ad reads: “Est. 1962.” That is the same year the Rolling Stones came into existence.
The full ad also includes a phone number in Hackney, a borough in London. When called, the number goes to a voice message:
“Welcome to Hackney Diamonds, specialists in glass repair. Don’t get angry, get it fixed — opening early September, Mare Street, E8. Register for a call at www.hackneydiamonds.com — come on then.”
Whatever it’s called, and whenever its is released, this will be the first album of new songs by the Stones since “A Bigger Bang” in 2005. It is also the first since drummer Charlie Watts died in 2021 and was replaced by Steve Jordan.
Guest artists on the new album include Paul McCartney, Elton John and original Stones bassist Bill Wyman, who is now 86.
