The Rolling Stones sent fans wild when they confirmed they will be returning to the music scene with their first album of new material in 18 years.

Sir Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood reunited at a special live event for their new album Hackney Diamonds, their first since drummer Charlie Watts died in August 2021.

At Wednesday’s event, the rock band confirmed that a string of huge stars have collaborated on their album, including the likes of Lady Gaga and Stevie Wonder.

And Sir Mick, 80, also revealed exactly how their decision to work with Lady Gaga, 37, came about, sharing that it was a rather spontaneous collaboration. 

He told how Lady Gaga was recording her own music in a studio next-door to them while they were in Los Angeles and had simply popped in to say hello.

Big news: The Rolling Stones sent fans wild on Wednesday when they confirmed they will be returning to the music scene with their first album of new material in 18 years

Guests: At the event, the legendary rock band confirmed that a string of huge stars have collaborated on their album, including the likes of Lady Gaga (pictured) and Stevie Wonder

But the singer then ended up featuring on their new track Sweet Sound of Heaven when she spontaneously started singing with Sir Mick.

‘She walked in next to me and we started singing together,’ Jagger told AP backstage. ‘She sang it live and then we went in and tidied it up a bit.’

Recorded in December and January at studios around the world, the new album sees the Stones team up with Grammy-winning producer Andrew Watt, who helped assemble the starry guest list, which also includes former Stone Bill Wyman.

Bill was part of the band’s first stable line-up and performed on their first 19 albums, and is now returning for Hackney Diamonds.

Sir Mick said of Bill’s involvement: ‘We asked Bill to come in and do one track so we have the original line-up on one track.’

Among the star-studded guest list, The Rolling Stones also enlisted actress Sydney Sweeney to star in the music video for the album’s lead single Angry. 

In the video, the Euphoria star, 25, put on a sizzling display as she slipped into a leather crop top and matching skimpy shorts.

The video, directed by Francois Rousselet, sees Sydney miming the lyrics to the single as she strikes a series of dance moves in the back of a car driving through Los Angeles.

Surprise: And Sir Mick, 80, also revealed exactly how their decision to work with Lady Gaga, 37, came about, sharing that it was a rather spontaneous collaboration

Singing: Sir Mick told how Lady Gaga was recording in a studio next-door to them while they were in LA and had simply popped in to say hello, but then ended up singing on their song 

Her performance in the video was well received by fans, with several taking to X/Twitter to praise the star.

One fan wrote: ‘Sydney Sweeney deserves all the love,’ while another added: ‘Sydney Sweeney looks dope in this.’

A third wrote: ‘She’s perfect for this,’ while another said she and The Rolling Stones ‘make a great pair’.

Sydney joined the members of the band at the launch of their new album Hackney Diamonds in London on Wednesday. 

The rockers paid tribute to their late drummer Charlie as they announced the release date of their new album and single during a special live event with Jimmy Fallon.

Arriving at the Hackney Empire in London to crowds of screaming fans, Sir Mick Jagger, 80, Keith Richards, 79, and Ronnie Wood, 76, revealed the record will drop October 20. 

In what will be their first album of original songs in 18 years and first since the death of drummer Charlie Watts, the rock and roll legends revealed his talents will feature on two tracks, adding: ‘Of course he’s missed.’

Sir Mick added there are 12 tracks on the album and while most featured Steve Jordan, there are two tracks recorded in 2019 with Charlie.

Speaking on stage, Keith reflected on Charlie’s passing, saying: ‘Ever since Charlie has been gone it’s different, he’s number four.’

The guitarist continued: ‘He’s missing, of course he’s missed incredibly, but thanks to Charlie we have Steve Jordan who was his recommendation if anything should happen to him.

‘He’s been a friend of ours so he was a natural progression, it would have been a lot harder without Charlie’s blessing.’ 

On the song Live By The Sword, the trio are backed by both Charlie and former bassist Bill Wyman, reuniting the original rhythm section of The Rolling Stones. The second song featuring Charlie is named Mess It Up.

Exciting: Among the star-studded guest list, The Rolling Stones also enlisted actress Sydney Sweeney to star in the music video for the album’s lead single Angry 

New music: Arriving at the Hackney Empire to crowds of screaming fans, Sir Mick Jagger , 80, Keith Richards, 79, and Ronnie Wood , 76, revealed the record will drop October 20

Missed: It will be their first album of original songs in 18 years and first without late drummer Charlie Watts, who passed away aged 80 in December 2021

Charlie passed away aged 80 in August 2021, surrounded by his family in hospital – weeks after he pulled out of US tour to recover from emergency heart surgery. 

The London-born drummer joined the then-fledgling band in 1963 after meeting Mick, Keith and Brian Jones while playing in rhythm and blues clubs.

Along with Mick and Keith, he featured on every one of the band’s studio albums. He was widely regarded as one of the greatest drummers of all time.

The Stones 31st studio album will be released across a number of formats including a special limited RS No.9 Carnaby Red vinyl, available exclusively to pre-order direct from the flagship store from September 6.

An exclusive Hackney Diamonds merch line is also now available from the London store.