Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts is set to miss the band’s forthcoming US tour as he recovers from an unspecified medical procedure.
“For once my timing has been a little off,” the 80-year-old said in a statement posted to Twitter, adding he had been told it would “take a while” for him to “get fully fit”.
Sir Mick Jagger said the band look forward to welcoming Watts back “as soon as he is fully recovered” following news that the drummer is likely to miss the resumption of the Rolling Stones No Filter Tour this autumn.
The band are due to resume the tour in the US in September, following its postponement last year.
Steve Jordan will replace Watts when the tour starts in St Louis on 26 September, with dates also scheduled for Pittsburgh, Nashville, Minneapolis, Dallas and more.
Watts said: “After all the fans’ suffering caused by COVID I really do not want the many 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.”
Watts’ spokesman said: “Charlie has had a procedure which was completely successful, but I gather his doctors this week concluded that he now needs proper rest and recuperation.
“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.”
The Sun reports that Watts underwent a procedure in London after “doctors spotted a problem during a routine check-up”.
Sir Mick tweeted: “We really look forward to welcoming Charlie back as soon as he is fully recovered. Thank you to our friend Steve Jordan for stepping in, so we can still play all the shows for you this fall.”
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Jordan added it is an “absolute honour and privilege” to be Watts’ understudy.
He said: “I am looking forward to rehearsing with Mick, Keith and Ronnie. No one will be happier than me to give up my seat on the drum-riser as soon as Charlie tells me he is good to go.”
In 2004, Watts was treated for throat cancer at London’s Royal Marsden Hospital.