The Rolling Stones kicked off their highly anticipated 2024 tour in support of their latest album Hackney Diamonds on Sunday, April 28, in Houston. Backstage at the event, guitarist Ronnie Wood sat down with The U.S. Sun to share some exciting behind-the-scenes details, including a special surprise visit from Paul McCartney during rehearsals in Los Angeles.
“Paul is such a great guy and incredibly supportive,” Wood told the tabloid. “He came to a few rehearsals and offered us some fantastic input.”
Wood went on to reveal that McCartney, who contributed bass to the album’s punk-inspired track “Bite My Head Off,” threw a heartwarming farewell party for him and his wife, Sally, before the Stones embarked on their tour. “Paul arranged a going-away party for us in LA, and he surprised me by inviting Neil Young as a guest. It was such a lovely evening,” Wood shared.
Wood also opened up about his friendship with Neil Young, describing him as an “old buddy” he hadn’t seen in years. “We’re planning to catch up in Louisiana at the New Orleans Blues Festival,” he added, noting that both the Rolling Stones and Neil Young & Crazy Horse will be headlining the prestigious event. The Stones are set to perform on May 2, while Young and his band will take the stage on May 4.
Reflecting on the band’s rigorous preparation for the tour, Wood shared that the Stones spent five intense weeks rehearsing in LA. “We really put in the work. We had our noses to the grindstone, getting back into the rhythm of playing stadiums,” he explained.
The Houston show saw the band perform an 18-song set, mixing iconic classics with fresh material from Hackney Diamonds. “We owe it to our fans to include all the big hits, but we love mixing the old with the new,” Wood said. Fans can check out a highlight video of the concert on The Rolling Stones’ YouTube channel, which features snippets of “Start Me Up” and “Angry” from the new album.
In addition to the live shows, Wood continues to make his mark with hand-drawn setlists, which are available for purchase as limited-edition art prints on his online store. Fans who buy the first 750 setlists for each show will receive a special, custom-designed guitar pick. Prints are priced at $100, with the Houston set list already available.
It’s clear that the Rolling Stones’ 2024 tour is shaping up to be an unforgettable journey, full of surprises, classic rock magic, and plenty of star power along the way.
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