Rolling Stones Deny Watts Leaving

Another indication that Watts was leaving the band emerged during the weekend on Australian news site HeraldSun.com.au that claimed The Stones will embark on a world tour that would reach the country by 2012. The news item went on to say that U.S. drummer Steve Jordan would replace Watts.

But The Stones were fast on the denial path, issuing a statement saying Watts is still the band’s one and only drummer.

“Contrary to a fabricated and ill-informed report that appeared yesterday on a small music website in Australia, we would like to make it clear that drummer Charlie Watts has not left The Rolling Stones,” the representative said, according to NME.

If this sounds like déjà vu all over again, then you’re probably thinking back to September when another Australian website – Undercover.com.au – claimed the drummer was exiting the band. That story was also denied by band reps.

Along with claiming the band was touring, the HeraldSun website also quoted an unnamed promoter saying The Rolling Stones wanted “crazy money,” and that one promoter pitching $14.4 million for six shows was told by the band’s reps that he was “not even in the ball park.”

Click here to read the original HeraldSun.com.au article.

Click here to read the NME piece.