Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts will miss the band’s upcoming U.S. tour after undergoing an unspecified medical procedure.
“For once, my timing has been a little off,” Watts, 80, who has been with the band since 1963, said in a statement.
Steve Jordan, a member of Keith Richards’ X-Pensive Winos side project, will sit behind the drum kit for the Stones’ “No Filter” tour that kicks off its American segment in St. Louis on Sept. 26, Rolling Stone reported.
“Charlie has had a procedure which was completely successful, but his doctors this week concluded that he now needs proper rest and recuperation,” a representative for the longtime band said in a statement. “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 had successful treatment for throat cancer in 2004, Billboard reported.
“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,” Watts said in a statement. “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.”
Here is the Stones’ 13-date tour schedule for the U.S.:
Sept. 26 -- St. Louis at The Dome at America’s Center
Sept. 30 -- Charlotte, North Carolina, at Bank of America Stadium
Oct. 4 -- Pittsburgh at Heinz Field
Oct. 9 -- Nashville, Tennessee, at Nissan Stadium
Oct. 13 -- New Orleans at New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival
Oct. 17 -- Los Angeles at SoFi Stadium
Oct. 24 -- Minneapolis at U.S. Bank Stadium
Oct. 29 -- Tampa, Florida, at Raymond James Stadium
Nov. 2 -- Dallas at Cotton Bowl Stadium
Nov. 6 -- Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium
Nov. 11 -- Atlanta at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Nov. 15 -- Detroit at Ford Field
Nov. 20 -- Austin, Texas,at Circuit of The Americas