The Rolling Stones have moved quickly today to deny rumours that their drummer Charlie Watts is ready to quit touring after nearly 50 years on the road.
Stories re-surfaced today claiming that Watts is ready to step down from the live scene, instead only working with the group in the studio. The vague murmurings began in Australia, with the Melbourne Sunday Herald quoting an un-specified ‘respected tour promoter’ who said The Stones were demanding “crazy money” for a tour there without Watts sometime in the next two years and even named US drummer Steve Jordan as his replacement.
However, the band’s management have moved quickly to dismiss the story, releasing a statement which said: “Contrary to a fabricated and ill informed report that appeared yesterday on a small music website in Australia, we would like to make it clear that drummer Charlie Watts has not left The Rolling Stones. Charlie is currently being interviewed by the media promoting their latest project – the release of the album ‘Exile on Main Street‘ and the forthcoming film Stones In Exile, released on DVD next month.”
The band currently sit on top of the UK’s Album Chart for the first time in 16 years thanks to their re-issued version of ‘Exile On Main St.‘.
The Rolling Stones are world standards,there is no one else to take Charlies place.