The Stones are rolling once again.
Following a 16-month hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the tragic death of drummer Charlie Watts, the Rolling Stones resumed their No Filter Tour of stadium shows in the United States.
The legendary rockers hit the stage at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri on Sunday, but not before paying tribute to Watts, who had been the backbone and backbeat of the band since he officially joined way back in 1963.
Rolling again! The Rolling Stones resumed their No Filter Tour of stadiums in the US at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis with new drummer Steve Jordan; the new man keeping the backbeat is pictured with Ron Wood, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards
The show opened with an empty stage and only a drumbeat, as photos of Watts flashed on a video board. After the second song, a rousing rendition of It’s Only Rock `N´ Roll (But I Like It), singer Mick Jagger, guitarist Keith Richards and guitarist Ronnie Wood came to the front of the stage.
In a touching moment, Jagger and Richards clasped hands as they thanked fans for the outpouring of support and love for Watts. At one point, Jagger acknowledged it was emotional seeing all the photos of Watts, who passed away on August 24 at the age of 80.
‘This is our first-ever tour we’ve ever done without him,’ Jagger announced to the crowd, adding, ‘We’ll miss Charlie so much, on and off the stage.’
Tribute: The show began with a video tribute to Charlie Watts before the band hit the stage; Watts died back on August 24
Hitmakers: The band would come out and open the show with Street Fighting Man
Paying homage: In a touching moment, Jagger and Richards clasped hands as they thanked fans for the outpouring of support and love for Watts
Sad loss: This is the first tour they have done without drummer Charlie (pictured performing in 2019)
And official cause of death was not revealed but Watts had suffered from a series of health problems in recent years, including a diagnosis of throat cancer in 2004.
The band wound go on to dedicate the song Tumbling Dice to Watts.
Longtime Rolling Stones associate Steve Jordan sat in behind the drum kit for the gig. He had already been slated to fill in for Watts when he trying to recover from his ailments.
Jordan, 64, was a member of the television shows Saturday Night Live and Late Night With David Letterman, beginning in 1970s and 80s.
‘Emotional: This is our first-ever tour we’ve ever done without him,’ Jagger announced to the crowd, adding, ‘We’ll miss Charlie so much, on and off the stage
History: Steve Jordan (pictured) has played with Keith Richards since the 1980s in his side project The X-Pensive Winos and had worked with the guitarist on his solo works
By the mid-1980s Jordan played with Keith Richards’ side project, The X-Pensive Winos, and has gone on to play and co-write songs on many of Richards’s solo works.
In early August, The Stones announced Jordan would be filling in for Watts on their 13-date US tour due to start in September 2021, which is he currently fulfilling.
The tour had been scheduled for 2020 before the coronavirus crisis virtually shut down the touring industry for bands.
Signs of the still dangerous pandemic could be everywhere at the show in Missouri, a state hit hard by the virus’s delta variant. The tens of thousands of fans wore masks as required by St. Louis’ anti-virus protocol. The band themselves even 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.
COVID shutdown: The No Filter Tour had been scheduled for 2020 before the coronavirus crisis virtually shut down the touring industry for bands
New man: In early August, The Stones announced Jordan would be filling in for Watts on their 13-date US tour due to start in September 2021, which is he currently fulfilling
The show must go on: The No Filter Tour will include stops in Charlotte, North Carolina; Pittsburgh; Nashville, Tennessee; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Tampa, Florida; Dallas; Atlanta; Detroit; and ending in Austin, Texas, on November 20
Sunday’s show featured the band delivering a long list of their hits including opener Street Fighting Man, Under My Thumb, 19th Nervous Breakdown, Start Me Up, Honky Tonk Women, Jumpin’ Jack Flash, and the two encores Gimme Shelter and (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.
As the band went through the set list, Jagger hardly looked like a 78-year-old man, strutting around the stage like a man much younger than his years. His vocals, and the guitar work of both Wood and Richards sounded as good as ever.
After St. Louis, the tour will include stops in Charlotte, North Carolina; Pittsburgh; Nashville, Tennessee; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Tampa, Florida; Dallas; Atlanta; Detroit; and ending in Austin, Texas, on November 20.
The band also added new dates in Los Angeles on October 14 and 17, and a concert in Las Vegas on November 6.
The Rolling Stones have been rocking the world since their inception in 1962.
Watts’ London publicist, Bernard Doherty, said in a statement announcing his death: ‘It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Charlie Watts. He passed away peacefully in a London hospital earlier today surrounded by his family.
‘Charlie was a cherished husband, father and grandfather and also as a member of The Rolling Stones one of the greatest drummers of his generation.
‘We kindly request that the privacy of his family, band members and close friends is respected at this difficult time.’
More shows added: The band also added new dates in Los Angeles on October 14 and 17, and a concert in Las Vegas on November 6
Iconic: The Rolling Stones have been rocking the world since their inception in 1962