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The veteran British band, on their first tour
since 1963 without Watts, displayed photos and video of him on
huge projections at the St. Louis, Missouri, arena against a
drum solo soundtrack.
As the crowd of some 60,000 shouted "Charlie," "Charlie," Mick
Jagger, Keith Richards and Ron Wood bounded onto the stage for
opening number "Street Fighting Man."
"It was quite emotional seeing those pictures of Charlie up on
the screen. This is our first tour that we've ever done without
him," said Jagger, holding hands onstage with Richards.
He thanked fans for their messages of support and tributes to
Watts, saying the band had found them "really touching."
"We all miss Charlie so much both on the stage and off the
stage," Jagger added.
Contrary to rumors ahead of time, there was no black-tongued
Stones logo at the show to mark the passing of Watts in August
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/rolling-stones-drummer-watts-dies-80-publicist-2021-08-24
at age 80. The drummer died in London after undergoing surgery
for an unspecified condition.
In St Louis on Sunday, Steve Jordan took the place of Watts on
drums. Jordan had been announced in August as a temporary
replacement for Watts, whom it was initially thought would
return after needing time to recuperate.
The 13-date tour, which was delayed because of the coronavirus
pandemic, ends in November and the band has been ambivalent
about whether it will be their last.
"I've been asked that question since I was 31," Jagger, 78, who
had heart surgery in 2019, said in an interview last week
https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/jagger-calls-watts-rock-that-held-rolling-stones-together-2021-09-23.
"I don't know. I mean, anything could happen. You know, if
things are good next year and everyone's feeling good about
touring, I'm sure we'll do shows. I'm just trying to concentrate
on this tour now."
(Reporting by Jill Serjeant; Editing by Karishma Singh)
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