Rolling Stones to release first album of new music in 18 years next summer
I CAN reveal The Rolling Stones plan to release a new record next summer.
I’m told Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood teamed up in New York over the past fortnight for recording sessions, alongside a raft of world class session musicians to complete the initial recordings for their first output of original material in 18 years.
It also marks their first record without legendary drummer Charlie Watts – who sadly passed away in 2021 ahead of their most recent tour after almost six decades with the band.
A source said: “After Charlie’s passing there was some uncertainty about what to do next.
“They had stadium dates scheduled so pressed ahead, but afterwards it wasn’t clear what the future looked like.
“But now they’ve had time to reflect they all feel it’s the right thing to keep doing what they’ve always done as a band, make new music and hopefully hit the road again to perform it to their fans.
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“They’ve had a knock in recent years, but the show goes on – and The Stones always do.”
I’m told another major tour, likely to include US, South American and European dates will likely follow the 2023 release.
Drummer Steve Jordan joined the trio at Electric Lady Studios in New York, alongside veteran bass player Darryl Jones to complete the line-up.
Last year I caught the legendary group on tour in Madrid for the first night of their European run – where they sounded as fresh and vibrant as ever.
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Even then it was clear that despite a traumatic 12 months, the remaining members are as passionate and as enthusiastic about making music together as ever.
Far from winding down, fresh tunes is exactly what this iconic group needs… and I can’t wait to hear what they’ve done.
BTS join the ranks
K-POP group BTS are interrupting their music careers to do their military service for up to 21 months.
The seven-piece South Korean boyband, who have had two No1 albums here, said: “Group member Jin will initiate the process as soon as his schedule for his solo release is concluded at the end of October.
“He will then follow the enlistment procedure of the Korean government.
“Other members of the group plan to carry out their military service based on their own individual plans.”
The band insisted they would be back in 2025.
Geri gets booked up
FORGET another Spice Girls reunion, Geri Horner has just bagged what she really, really wants . . . another book deal.
The Wannabe singer has written children’s adventure series Rosie Frost And The Falcon Queen and signed a two-book agreement with Scholastic.
She said it was a result of “seven years of hard work and passion” and revealed the first instalment will be out next autumn.
Geri previously had a kids’ book series based on the character Ugenia Lavender.
Given Mel C still wants to get the Spice Girls back together, I doubt she will be too pleased by the news.
Reddy Monae
JANELLE Monae must have needed an entire suitcase just for this outfit when she flew into London for the premiere of her latest movie.
The singer-turned-actress made sure she was absolutely the centre of attention in the gigantic red hat and skirt for the screening of Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery at London’s Royal Festival Hall on Sunday.
In the murder mystery, a standalone sequel to 2019 hit Knives Out, Janelle appears opposite Edward Norton, Kate Hudson and Daniel Craig, who reprises his role as master detective Benoit Blanc to investigate a new case.
The film was shot in Greece last year and will have a limited release in cinemas next month before going on Netflix just before Christmas.
Judging by this costume, Janelle is already in the festive spirit.
Drake's curse
WITH six No1 singles to his name Drake is used to winning – so it must have been a shock when he lost more than half a million quid on Sunday.
The Canadian rapper shared a screenshot on Instagram of football bets backing Arsenal and Barcelona and added the caption: “This morning should be fun . . . ”
With only Arsenal coming in he ended up losing £537,000 – while he was hoping to win the thick end of $4million.
When it was revealed that his high stakes predictions had gone up in smoke, he deleted his Instagram post.
Now sports fans believe there is a “Drake curse”, with any sports person or club he backs destined for failure.
Barcelona wore shirts carrying his OVO owl logo to celebrate him becoming the first artist with 50billion streams on Spotify – but they lost 3-1 to rivals Real Madrid.
Doesn’t sound like much of a hoot for them.
Louis in 1D dark
ONE Direction last performed together almost seven years ago – which has got Louis Tomlinson’s back up as he thought they were only breaking up for “a year or two”.
He has accused bandmates Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Niall Horan of leaving him in the dark when they took their break by failing to tell him what would happen next.
Louis said: “I suppose it’s only a break if we ever get back together.
“When we had the conversations, we never got any real clarity on what it was.
“And I can remember going into those meetings and saying, ‘You know, I understand – it’s not what I want – but all I would ask is just put a rough time on how long a break’.
“And there was never really an answer.”
He continued in Music Week: “I definitely came out of the band crossing my fingers, thinking, ‘Oh, maybe it’s only going to be like a year or two’.
“I think that’s probably stopped me from going into my solo career, because I was still just thinking I wanted to be in that band.”
Love lights up Amber
AMBER Davies has confirmed my story from yesterday’s Bizarre that she is dating her Back To The Future: The Musical co-star Ben Joyce.
Recently split from Nick Kyriacou, she said: “The plan was to be single for a while and then I accidentally fell in love with my co-star.
“He’s just an absolute ray of sunshine and he’s so loved by everyone on the cast.
“He’s an absolute powerhouse of a talent and one of the kindest, most caring people I’ve ever met.”
Nice swan, Candice
LIFE is going swimmingly for model Candice Swanepoel since her split from Kanye West.
The South African – posing in a skimpy bikini from her Tropic Of C clothing brand – went on dates with the rapper last month but he is now with another model, Juliana Nalu.
But given how his outbursts have become even stranger in recent weeks, Candice had a lucky escape.
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He’s been banned from Twitter and Instagram after making anti-Semitic remarks and has now bought the self-styled “uncancellable” social media platform Parler.
But given hardly anyone actually uses that site compared to other social media giants, his rants there may just go unnoticed.