Charlie Watts Undergoes Emergency Surgery, Pulls Out Of Rolling Stones Tour

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Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts will not be joining his bandmates on their upcoming U.S. tour after having an emergency operation.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer underwent a "successful procedure" in London after a routine physical uncovered a problem that couldn't wait to be addressed, according to reports.

Following the procedure, Watts, 80, was well enough to joke about the inopportune emergency, telling The Sun, "For once, my timing has been a little off."

The Rolling Stones 13-date 2021 'No Filter' tour is scheduled to weave through the States from September 26 - November 20. The rescheduled tour dates were just announced in June.

“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 added. “After all the disappointment with delays to the tour caused by Covid, I really don’t want the many Stones fans in the States who have been holding tickets to have another postponement or cancellation. I have therefore asked my great friend Steve Jordan to stand in for me.”

Jordan, a session ace and longtime Stones ally, was formerly Keith Richards' music director and producer. He's also held high profile gigs on Saturday Night Live and as one third of the John Mayer Trio.

The Stones expect Watts to be tour-worthy again by the band's 60th anniversary next year.


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