“We'll miss Charlie so much, on and off the stage.” The Rolling Stones are touring again, this time without their heartbeat, or at least their backbeat. Drummer Charlie Watts, who had been with the band since 1963, died last month at age 80.
Mick Jagger, from left, Steve Jordan and Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones perform during the "No Filter" tour at The Dome at America's Center, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in St. Louis.
The legendary rockers launched their pandemic-delayed “No Filter” tour Sunday at the Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis without their drummer of nearly six decades. It was clear from the outset just how much the band members — and the fans — missedat age 80. Except for a private show in Massachusetts last week, the St. Louis concert was their first since Watts’ death.
The tens of thousands of fans wore masks as required by St. Louis’ anti-virus protocol. The Stones themselves appeared in a public service announcement urging anyone with symptoms to stay home. A vaccination site was set up at the dome, with plans for similar sites at each tour stop. Still, die-hard fans couldn’t help but miss Watts, widely considered one of rock’s greatest drummers, even though his real love was jazz. He joined Jagger and Richards in the Rolling Stones in 1963. Wood joined in 1975.“It’s really sad,” she said. “He’s the first of the old Stones to pass away.”