“We do have a lot of stuff of Charlie Watts still in the can,” explains Richards on the Rolling Stone Music Now podcast. “We were halfway through making an album when he died… Of course, if we want to carry on recording, we’re gonna need drums, and it’s gonna be Steve Jordan.”
The project would mark the follow-up to the Stones’ most recent album of originals, 2005’s “A Bigger Bang”, and the 2016 covers collection, “Blue & Lonseome.”
Watts hand-picked his friend, Jordan, to sit in for him on last year’s No Filter US tour while recovering from an undisclosed surgery prior to his passing, with the group originally expecting the iconic drummer to return to the lineup after his health issues were addressed.
Richards admits he was initially reluctant to tour without Watts.
“I was in, ‘Oh, I cannot do this without Charlie,’" says Richards. “But Charlie said to me, ‘You can do it with Steve. He can take my seat anytime. And he talked me into it.’…God damn, I loved that man.”
This past week, The Rolling Stones announced dates for a 60th anniversary tour of the UK and Europe; the summer series will open in Madrid, Spain on June 1.
See also:
The Rolling Stones announce 60th anniversary tour
The Rolling Stones tease 2022 tour announcement
Keith Richards streams 999 from Main Offender reissue
Keith Richards streams Demon from Main Offender reissue
Search Rolling Stones at hennemusic
