According to Variety, multiple sources have confirmed that the two surviving Beatles band members have contributed to an as-yet-unannounced Stones album, which is said to be produced by Andrew Watt. McCartney has reportedly recorded bass parts for the project, with sessions taking place in Los Angeles in recent weeks.
As NME notes, it is not yet known whether McCartney’s contributions will make the final cut, or whether he’ll appear on the same song as Starr. Variety reports that the Stones project — which will mark their first album of new material since 2005’s A Bigger Bang — is currently in the mixing phase. A release date for the album has not yet been announced.
News of the collaboration seemingly puts to bed the decades-long rivalry between The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Though largely friendly, the feud was reignited in 2021, when McCartney branded the Stones “a blues cover band.” In response, Jagger hit back during a Los Angeles show McCartney was attending, saying the Beatle was “going to join us in a blues cover later.”
NME also notes that, since A Bigger Bang, the only new Stones material has arrived either as standalone singles or as part of greatest-hit collections around their tours. The band released two live albums recorded in New York City and at Canada’s El Mocambo last year, and shared another live album GRRR Live! earlier this month.
