Rolling Stones' 'Hackney Diamonds' Grammy Win

If you're curious about *Hackney Diamonds*' Grammy win, there's plenty to unpack. The Rolling Stones took home Best Rock Album at the 2025 Grammy Awards, beating out Green Day, Pearl Jam, and others. Remarkably, Charlie Watts's drumming appears on the album despite his 2021 death. Paul McCartney, Elton John, and Lady Gaga all made guest appearances. Producer Andrew Watt accepted the award on the band's behalf. There's even more to discover below.

Key Takeaways

• *Hackney Diamonds* won Best Rock Album at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards in 2025, beating nominees including Pearl Jam, Green Day, IDLES, and Jack White.
• Producer Andrew Watt accepted the Grammy on the band's behalf, having produced the entire album and co-written lead single "Angry."
• The win honored Charlie Watts posthumously, as his drumming featured on the album despite his passing before its release.
• The album marked the Rolling Stones' first studio original material in 18 years, making the Grammy win a significant late-career achievement.
• Hackney Diamonds debuted at No. 1 in the UK with 72,200 chart units, demonstrating the commercial momentum that accompanied its Grammy-winning critical recognition.

The Rolling Stones' First Album in 18 Years

Hackney Diamonds marks the Rolling Stones' first studio album of original material in 18 years, dropping on 20 October 2023 via Polydor Records. This studio return follows 2005's A Bigger Bang, making it a long-awaited first comeback for fans worldwide.

The band recorded the album in relative secrecy, with sessions beginning in 2019 and final recordings wrapped up in December 2022. By January 2023, they'd completed 23 tracks, finishing the mixing process by late February or early March.

Spanning 12 tracks at 48:25 minutes, producer Andrew Watt helmed the project alongside an impressive roster of guest artists. The album also marks the Stones' first studio work with drummer Steve Jordan following the death of legendary Charlie Watts. Guest contributors included Elton John, Lady Gaga, Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, and Bill Wyman, who recorded with the band for the first time in 30 years.

How Did Charlie Watts Still Make It Onto 'Hackney Diamonds'?

His drumming helped the band earn Grammy recognition, proving his impact extended well beyond his lifetime. The album was released in October 2023, more than two years after his passing at Royal Brompton Hospital.

Every Major Guest Who Appeared on 'Hackney Diamonds'

'Hackney Diamonds' brought together a remarkable roster of guest musicians, from Paul McCartney playing bass on "Bite My Head Off" to Stevie Wonder and Lady Gaga elevating "Sweet Sounds of Heaven" with keyboards, vocals, and a gospel-charged energy.

The Paul McCartney cameo happened organically — he dropped by the studio while working with producer Andrew Watt, contributing to just that one track.

The Stevie Wonder collaboration proved equally spontaneous, with the legend adding keyboards and vocals alongside Lady Gaga, who joined from an adjacent studio after a fortuitous hallway encounter.

Elton John rounded out the guest appearances, delivering his signature honky-tonk piano style on "Get Close" and "Live by the Sword" without adding vocals.

Bill Wyman, the Stones' original bassist who departed in 1992, made his first Stones release appearance since 1989 by contributing to "Live by the Sword."

You're looking at one of rock's most star-studded album sessions in decades.

Where 'Hackney Diamonds' Hit Number One

1. UK Official Albums Chart — Moved 72,200 chart units in its debut week
2. UK vinyl — Topped the UK Official Vinyl Albums Chart simultaneously
3. Australia's ARIA Albums Chart — Marked the band's ninth number-one album there
4. German charts — Conquered Germany's Christmas chart, proving its seasonal commercial strength

Each market reflects a different dimension of the album's global reach. Whether you track physical sales, streaming, or regional trends, Hackney Diamonds demonstrated that the Rolling Stones still command serious commercial power across multiple countries and chart formats. This was notably the band's first new material in 18 years, making its widespread chart dominance all the more remarkable.

What Did Critics Say About 'Hackney Diamonds'?

Still, critics didn't ignore the musical shortcomings. They flagged poor fidelity, jarring sequencing, an atrocious album cover, and a finale drowning in unnecessary strings.

Most agreed the Stones played it safe, delivering no real surprises — but what they delivered, they delivered exceptionally well. One reviewer awarded the album a perfect 10, citing it as a triumphant return to form and the best work the band had produced since Tattoo You.

What Did 'Hackney Diamonds' Beat to Win Best Rock Album?

1. The Black Crowes
2. IDLES
3. Fontaines D.C.
4. Pearl Jam
5. Green Day
6. Jack White

You'll notice the nominees span multiple generations of rock, making the competition fierce.

Critics questioned whether the Stones won on merit or reputation, but producer Andrew Watt pushed back, defending the album's songwriting and performances.

He also pointed out something undeniable — it's remarkably rare for artists in their 80s to release a compelling, tour-worthy rock record that earns industry recognition. Hackney Diamonds was also notably the band's first studio album in two decades.

Why Andrew Watt Accepted the Grammy for the Rolling Stones

When the Rolling Stones' name was called for Best Rock Album at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, Andrew Watt stepped up to accept — the band was absent from the Premiere Ceremony, leaving their producer to represent them. His producer credit on Hackney Diamonds made him the natural choice to take the stage during the non-televised portion of the 2025 GRAMMYs.

Watt delivered the acceptance speech on the group's behalf, with the Recording Academy featuring it in their official video. You can see why his presence made sense — he produced the entire album, co-wrote lead single "Angry," and earned a Grammy nomination for that track alone.

His deep involvement with Hackney Diamonds made him far more than a stand-in; he was a key creative force behind the win. The album marks The Rolling Stones' first collection of original music in 18 years, underscoring just how significant this project was for the legendary band.