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November 30, 2009
News of Rolling Stones World Tour Leaked
Reports from the U.K. indicate that the Rolling Stones have plans to embark on a world tour sometime next year. Perhaps it is not surprising to learn that the source of the leaked information was Ron Wood’s 20-year-old girlfriend, Ekaterina Ivanova.
The U.K. tabloids have kept the couple in their crosshairs since the Rolling Stones guitarist left his wife of two decades to shack up with the Russian beauty during the summer of 2008. The couple has reportedly endured a somewhat rocky relationship, with reports of knock-down-drag-out domestic disputes, and disagreements on the subject of children.
Although Ivanova is said to be keen on the idea of becoming a mom, Wood is reportedly dead set against the notion, and at the age of 62, it’s hard to blame the guy.
Now it seems that Ivanova has landed herself in hot water with Ron again, and it’s quite likely that the rest of the Stones are not too thrilled with her either. Although she was instructed not to tell anyone about the plans for the 2010 world tour, she seemed unable to prevent herself from sharing the news with a few friends. From there, the news made its way to the pages of The Sun.
With recent word that Rod Stewart has decided to sit out an upcoming 2010 Faces tour, the Stones alleged plans for a tour next year make one wonder if the Faces might be minus yet another member as they work out the details of their road trip.
With the Stones last tour, A Bigger Bang, netting them nearly $500 million between 2005 and 2007, another tour may be well worth Wood’s time, in light of the hefty divorce settlement that resulted from his split with ex-wife Jo. The settlement is one that is likely to make a significant dent in his savings account.
Whether his new squeeze will be an integral and influential force on tour as his former wife Jo was is doubtful, given the history of their relationship thus far.
Although no specific dates or venues are yet known, perhaps that information will be revealed soon, since the secret is now out regarding the tour. Stones fans the world over are probably anxious to hear if the legendary rockers will be featured at a venue in their vicinity.
September 16, 2009
Keith Wants To Record While Ronnie Squabbles With Girlfriend
We don’t normally get too many juicy details about squabbles that take place between celebrities behind closed doors unless the paparazzi happen to be lurking nearby, but apparently a recent domestic dispute between Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood and his girlfriend Ekaterina Ivanova got to the point where the neighbors could overhear some of the fight, which apparently was quite heated and even led to Ivanova threatening to kill herself.
Neighbors report that the couple fights frequently, although this latest dustup was one for the record books, and resulted in police being called to the scene. It was apparent that no suicides or other forms of physical violence were evident since police left after questioning the couple.
Meanwhile, band mates Mick Jagger and Keith Richards seem to be fully immersed in the music business, with Richards having just completed recording some material with Jack White.
Richards is hoping to begin work on a new Stones record next year and there are some signs that White could be involved. “I couldn’t fuel that rumor any more than to say Jack and I are in touch,” according to Richards.
Both Richards and Mick Jagger are said to be pouring over outtakes from the group’s 1972 album Exile on Main Street in preparation for a new deluxe edition that will feature some of those excluded tracks.
“There’s new songs on there, stuff we’ve forgotten about,” Richards says. “Mick and I were looking at each other like, ‘Ah, did we do that?’”
Is it any wonder I cannot help but think of Johnny Depp’s swashbuckling character from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies whenever I see Keith Richards? Swashbuckling yes. Sober? Well, perhaps not.
Richards has been cited as an inspiration by Depp for his style during his portrayal of Capt. Jack Sparrow. A fact which apparently conjured no negative feelings towards Depp by Richards, since he appeared in the third Pirates movie, playing the part of Capt. Sparrow’s father. Credit to Keith Richards for being a good sport.
See The Mirror for more on Ron and Ekaterina’s rowdy row and Rolling Stone for more on Richards and Jagger.
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.
March 4, 2009
Ron Wood on The Road To Recovery?
With all the problems Rolling Stone guitarist Ron Wood has been dealing with lately, there is news that the 61-year-old is finally starting to make progress in the right direction.
Separated from his wife of 23 years and likely headed towards divorce, Wood is now living with his 20-year-old girlfriend Ekaterina Ivanova and has been battling his problems with alcohol abuse.
A strong warning from Wood’s band mates may have been the wake up call that Wood needed to make a determined effort to turn his life around. With talk of another Rolling Stones tour in the works, the rest of the group feared that they may have to exclude Wood due to his alcoholism.
Apparently, a thorough physical examination is required prior to a tour to clear the aging rockers for insurance eligibility – a test that Wood failed back in 2002 due to the fact that he registered an alcohol intake that was seven times the allowable amount. Months in an Arizona clinic were required to get Wood back in shape.
Recent word from former Faces band mate Ian McLagan is that Wood is back on the wagon and is making good progress.
“Ronnie is in great shape and good spirits. He’s not currently drinking,” according to McLagan.
Time will tell whether Wood can remain on the straight-and-narrow long enough to be part of the tour. Support from his girlfriend and band mates may be the key to keeping him on track until the start of the tour.
For more, check out News24.
