Update: The band’s spokesperson, Fran Curtis, tells Entertainment Weekly there is no truth to the rumors: “Contrary to a fabricated story that ran this morning,” she says, “Charlie Watts has not left The Rolling Stones.’’
Charlie Watts has played with The Rollings Stones for the last time. According to Undercover, the drummer of 46 years has quit the legendary outfit. While no reason was given, a source within the Stones inner-circle said, “He will never record or tour with the band again.”
Watts, who is 68-years-old, had been with the band since 1963 and was often praised as being its most important member. In a 2005 interview with Guitar Player, guitarist Keith Richards said that the Rolling Stones would not be, or could not continue as, the Rolling Stones without Watts.
Whether a name change is coming remains to be seen, the band does intend to continue on in some capacity. Undercover went on to report that the Stones are looking to Richards’ Expensive Winos drummer Charlie Drayton to fill the void for upcoming endeavors, which is rumored to include a new studio album in 2010.