When it comes to the epitome of rock and roll, the debate often rages between The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. In the 1960s, these iconic bands reached great heights, leaving a mark on American pop culture, fashion, and more. Such a cultural phenomenon naturally gave rise to an epic rivalry, akin to the legendary Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone feud. The rivalry’s intensity even drew in Paul McCartney, the sole surviving member of The Beatles. He once cheekily dismissed The Rolling Stones as nothing more than a blues cover band.

No wonder the ultimate crossover moment between the two legendary bands came when Ronnie Wood casually mentioned Paul McCartney’s name on The Tonight Show. This left Jimmy Fallon to completely lose his cool.

When legends collide: The Rolling Stones & The Beatles Epic Crossover

Crossovers have long been a part of Hollywood legend. From iconic clashes like Batman v Superman to genre-blending collaborations, like Linkin Park and Jay-Z. However, when it comes to bringing together rivals, it takes the spotlight. In the present light, when McCartney announced a final Beatles song using AI, Ronnie Wood of The Rolling Stones had one of his own. On The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Wood stated, “Paul McCartney said my dream, a Beatle gets to play on a Rolling Stones album!“.

This all unfolded while discussing Rolling Stones’ new album, ‘Hackney Diamonds,’ which came after a two-decade hiatus from original material. To add a cherry on top, the album features great collaborations. When the topic of the song ‘Bite My Head Off’ came up, Wood let slip that McCartney had joined in. Wood described McCartney’s demeanor during the recording, likening him to a kid in a toy shop or an eager schoolboy. McCartney was “over the moon” to be part of the album. More so, even Fallon could not keep his composure upon hearing about this ultimate crossover.

This unexpected collaboration on the punk song is a true rarity. Especially, considering that McCartney back in 2021 seemed to give an altogether different genre for The Rolling Stones.

A rare gem: McCartney’s surprising collaboration

During an interview with The New Yorker in 2021, McCartney did not mince words when discussing the musical differences between The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. He referred to The Stones as a “blues cover band” with a narrower musical palette than The Beatles. Despite this candid assessment, McCartney clarified that the rivalry between the two legendary bands is more friendly than adversarial.

He had previously expressed his preference for The Beatles but continues to be a fan of The Rolling Stones. Additionally, Mick Jagger responded with good-natured humor, referring to McCartney as a “sweetheart” and downplaying any sense of competition. He emphasized the difference in the bands’ touring histories. The Rolling Stones are known for performing in stadiums, while The Beatles never embarked on arena tours.

Were you also overjoyed with this namedrop? Share your thoughts in the comments below.