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The Rolling Stones took home the Best Rock Album award at the 2025 Grammy Awards earlier this month for 2023's Hackney Diamonds, beating out The Black Crowes, IDLES, Fontaines D.C., Pearl Jam, Green Day and Jack White. Some people were not happy with the choice, believing the Stones' win was because of their legacy and not the quality of the album.
In a new interview, the album's producer Andrew Watt defended the win. “They are in their 80s, They’re 82 and 83 years old," he remarked. "Tell me another band ever in history that has made a latter-day album that good in their 80s, with that level of songwriting, that level of performance?”
Watt accepted the award on the band's behalf at the ceremony. “Talked to Mick [Jagger] yesterday and he just wanted to say a big thank you to the Academy from the entire band," he said. "For a little boy that grew up playing guitar, it was one of the most amazing experiences to be around those musicians."
Hackney Diamonds was the rock legends' first album in two decades and first since the death of drummer Charlie Watts in 2021. They spent 2024 touring on the new album but reportedly scrapped a 2025 European tour.