Watch: Following the Rolling Stones album launch party, Keith Richards leaves “The Tonight Show”

Watch: Following the Rolling Stones album launch party, Keith Richards leaves "The Tonight Show"
Image via The To Night Show

After the Rolling Stones’ unexpected album release party in New York City, Keith Richards kept audience members on the edge of their seats by making an appearance on The Tonight Show. Jimmy Fallon briefly interrupted the filming as he shared his experience seeing the Hackney Diamonds perform with his audience.

Richards was already confirmed as a guest for the program, and Fallon used the occasion to introduce the conversation by sharing his own intimate brush with the band’s performance the night before at the 650-person venue Racket NYC. Later in the broadcast, he also enthusiastically discussed Richards’ upcoming appearance on The Tonight Show.

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Richards, who may have come out of the wings of the stage after hearing his name, nonchalantly strolled by Fallon in front of the cameras, shocking the audience. Richards circled the stage, took a minute to take in the cheers, and then went backstage to wait for his formal performance.

Not now, Fallon joked in response to the interruption. The show will include him. Still not. How awesome is that person over there? “Yeah, I’ll leave.” Being Keith Richards, he doesn’t give a damn. He acts as he pleases.

When it came time for his interview, Richards and Fallon discussed the concert’s specifics and their first-hand experience performing Hackney Diamonds songs live.

Except for one or two, last night was the first time we played any of the new songs. The band is ecstatic about it, and it was a truly amazing sensation,” Richards said. “A small room full of people is where a band’s heart is; that’s where you hone your craft,” said one musician.

Aside from talking about Paul McCartney’s appearance on Hackney Diamonds, Richards also discussed the long-standing relationship between the Rolling Stones and the Beatles, which dates back to “1962, 63,” as well as their cooperation on the Lennon/McCartney-penned Rolling Stones single “I Wanna Be Your Man.” Fallon praised “Bite My Head Off” as McCartney’s first appearance on a Rolling Stones song, while Richards pointed out that the duo had previously appeared on the group’s 1967 single “We Love You.”

As a musical treat, Richards demonstrated his guitar skills by strumming acoustic versions of “Honky Tonk Women” and “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” with some help from the Roots behind-the-scenes and Fallon channeling his inner Mick Jagger.

Enjoy the clips below.

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