Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts to miss upcoming tour
Mick Jagger said The Rolling Stones is looking forward to welcoming Charlie Watts "as soon as he fully recovers" after news the drummer may miss the upcoming US tour.
A Watts spokesman, 80, confirmed that "there is little chance of a resumption of the Rolling Stones USA No Filter Tour this fall" as he recovers from an undisclosed medical procedure.
The group is expected to resume the tour in the United States in September, following its postponement last year.
A Watts spokeswoman said: "Charlie had a completely successful procedure, but I'm collecting his doctors this week concluding that he now needs proper rest and recovery.
"Getting used to starting a few weeks is disappointing to say the least, but it's also okay that no one has seen this coming."
Following the news, Jagger welcomed Watts' replacement, Steve Jordan, who will join the team when the tour begins in St Louis on September 26, with dates also scheduled for Pittsburgh, Nashville, Minneapolis, Dallas and more.
He wrote on Twitter: "We look forward to welcoming Charlie as soon as he is fully recovered. Thank you to our friend Steve Jordan for intervening, so that we can still play all these shows for you."
We look forward to welcoming Charlie back as soon as he is fully recovered.Thanks to our friend Steve Jordan for the intervention, so we can still play all your fall shows for you. https://t.co/IOoLgIQqND
- Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) August 5, 2021
In a statement Watts said: "At the moment my time is short. I am working hard to be healthy but today I have accepted it with expert advice that this will take a while.
"After all the suffering of fans caused by Covid I do not really want the many RS fans who were in charge of this Tour to be disappointed with the postponement or cancellation.
"So I asked my best friend Steve Jordan to represent me."
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| Charlie Watts |
Jordan said it was "absolute honor and privilege" to be under the Watts study.
He added: "I'm looking forward to training with Mick, Keith and Ronnie. No one will be happier than me to donate my chair to the drum magnifier as soon as Charlie tells me he's going to leave."
In 2004 Watts was treated for throat cancer at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London.
