Charlie Watts pulls out of Rolling Stones' U.S. tour following surgery

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Charlie Watts will not appear on the Rolling Stones’ upcoming U.S. tour after undergoing surgery.

The 80-year-old drummer’s operation was “completely successful,” but he’s “accepted” that it will take him “a while” to get back on his feet, prompting his decision to stand down from the Satisfaction rockers’ 13-date No Filter shows.

The rescheduled stadium run, which kicks off on Sept. 26 in St. Louis, will see Steve Jordan, who played in guitarist Keith Richards’ side project X-Pensive Winos, on drums.

The legendary sticksman said in a statement: “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 RS 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.”

https://twitter.com/RollingStones/status/1423161159813828610

Jordan added: “It is an absolute honour 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.”

Meanwhile, a representative for the band told Rolling Stone: “Charlie has had a procedure which was completely successful, but 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.”

Watts is planning on being back on stage in 2022, in time for the group’s 60th anniversary.

The musician previously underwent two operations for throat cancer in 2004.