Several Melbourne music journos are in hot water with The Rolling Stones for reporting that time is not on Charlie Watts’ side and that he has quit the touring line up of the band. Herald Sun music scribe Nui Te Koha reported on Sunday that an unnamed “respected tour promoter” claimed that The Stones were scouting around for tour offers in 2012 and wanted ‘crazy money’ despite Charlie being absent from the line up. This was also reported by music website Undercover.com.au, who’s Paul Cashmere had originally run a yarn in 2009 quoting an unnamed ‘member of The Stones’ inner circle’ saying that Charlie would no longer tour. Undercover currently reckons that US drummer Steve Jordan will fill 68 year old Charlie’s drum stool.
The Stones have hit out at these reports, with a spokesperson saying “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.” Undercover is sticking by its story, saying that The Stones denied Bill Wyman had left the band for a long time until their next tour was announced, and saying that Charlie would still be very much involved with The Stones as a business. Walking frames at ten paces boys!
