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Classic Rock News And Views
September 3, 2009
Denials Follow Report That Charlie Watts Has Left The Rolling Stones
Let’s hope this does not turn into another back-and-forth of confirmations and denials like we witnessed a while back with all the rumors of a Led Zeppelin reunion. I suppose it should not be surprising to see that there are now denials surfacing after yesterday’s report from Undercover Music that the 68-year-old Rolling Stones drummer had decided to retire from the group.
A spokeswoman for the group is reported to have sent an e-mail message denying that Watts is leaving the group and added a few unkind words aimed at Undercover Music.
“Contrary to a fabricated story that ran this morning on a small music web site in Australia, drummer Charlie Watts has not left The Rolling Stones,” spokeswoman Fran Curtis is said to have written.
This news may be comforting to Rolling Stones fans, but considering how things work in show business, there are bound to be lingering doubts. Could it be that Watts has expressed his desire to leave the group and the other members are confident they will be able to change his mind?
It’s doubtful that Watts or any other member of the band could be swayed by promises of big profits. When you already have a lot of money, what’s the big deal over another million or twenty? This could be especially true for someone who’s looking at 70 in less than two years time. I certainly would not blame the guy if he just wanted to stay home, take care of his horses and relax for the rest of his days.
Who knows? Perhaps the report of Watts’ retirement was not accurate, but it is probably a sign that something is going on within the ranks of the Stones.
Fans and those of us with small websites who like to pontificate on subjects like this can only wonder and wait until we see evidence that Watts is still a member of the band. I’m sure the folks at Undercover Music are already contemplating a response to Fran Curtis in the event that their original report turns out to be true.
September 2, 2009
Charlie Watts Retires From The Rolling Stones
Undercover Music is reporting that long-time Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts has left the group. Undercover quotes a source inside the Stones inner-circle as saying, “Charlie Watts has quit the band. He will never record or tour with the band again.”
It is said that Watts’ decision to leave the group is not totally unexpected and that guitarist Keith Richards had to talk him into taking part in the Bigger Bang tour back in 2005, but apparently the 68-year-old rocker has decided he has had enough and does not intend to return to the fold again.
Drummer Charley Drayton from one of Keith Richards’ other projects is said to be in line to take the place of Watts in any future Rolling Stones projects. Drayton, and American born in New York City, has been part of Richard’s X-pensive Winos project since Richards invited him to join after Drayton contributed on the Stones Dirty Work album in 1985.
With the Stones since 1963, Watts is leaving just three years shy of his 50th anniversary with the band.
Mick Jagger is said to be planning some kind of project for the Stones next year and the absence of Watts is bound to be a major shake-up for the Rolling Stones, one of the world’s most recognized rock bands.
Check out Undercover Music for more.
