When The Rolling Stones embark on their No Filter tour next month it will be their first without drummer Charlie Watts.
His spokesman says, “Charlie has had a procedure which was completely successful, but I gather his doctors this week concluded that he now needs proper rest and recuperation. With rehearsals starting in a couple of weeks it’s very disappointing to say the least, but it’s also fair to say no one saw this coming.”
And the soft spoken Watts adds, “For once my timing has been a little off. I am working hard to get fully fit but I have today accepted on the advice of the experts that this will take a while. After all the fans’ suffering caused by COVID I really do not want the many Rolling Stones fans who have been holding tickets for this tour to be disappointed by another postponement or cancellation. I have therefore asked my great friend Steve Jordan to stand in for me.”
And Jordan. who plays in Keith Richards‘ solo band, says, “It is an absolute honor and a privilege to be Charlie’s understudy and I am looking forward to rehearsing with Mick, Keith and Ronnie. No-one will be happier than me to give up my seat on the drum-riser as soon as Charlie tells me he is good to go.”
Watts, who turned 80 on June 2nd, was treated for throat cancer in 2004.
The Stones’ No Filter tour starts on September 26th in St. Louis. Charlie Watts would be okay if the Stones called it quits.
“If it stopped tomorrow it wouldn’t bother me particularly. I mean it could stop and that would be fine with me because I’ve had a good ride so far.”
REUTERS PHOTO
