Charlie Watts and the not-end of The Rolling Stones

When Charlie Watts died, I wondered whether that would be the end of The Rolling Stones? The world knows that answer by now: it is no. The band will go on tour through the U.S. this fall, as it would have without Charlie any way, as he would be recuperating from an operation, if he would recuperate at all, as he had indicated, it seems.

As I wrote, I distinctly remember Keith Richards saying at some point in the past something like: "if one of us three dies, it's the end of the band". Charlie is the heart of the band and without him there is no Rolling Stones sound, he has also said. Some people argue that by replacing Bill Wyman with Darryl Jones also implied that the authentic The Rolling Stones sound died.

Since last week I also know who is replacing Charlie Watts and it is the person who I would have placed my bet on: Steve Jordan, the drummer with whom Keith Richards made and wrote 'Talk Is Cheap' in the late 80s.

So should the Stones have continued? That is the question that remains. Besides Mick, Keith and Ronnie wanting to perform together, as they still can at this point in time, my son gave a good reason as well. He got to see the Stones as a 9 year old in 2003, as I had promised him at the time. Everyday there are youngsters discovering and added as fans of the band, he argued. They at this point in time still have the opportunity to go and see the band. Perhaps not in its fullest glory, but certainly with a great backing band behind them that always makes sure there is a bottom line the older guys can't fall through. Although the last time I saw them, Jagger was fantastic, Keith wobbly, Charlie as tight as ever.

So, yes, let the "old men" as I already called them in 1990!, perform their greatest hits. Let's face it, it's only a few more years and they will not be around to do so any more. Of course there's dozens of movies and all the records, but that is not the same experience. That is something the generation after us will have, but it's not the real live thing. It is the biggest difference with music from previous centuries though. Where we have no clue or at best hints as to how Mozart or Beethoven would have wanted their music to sound, that is no issue with modern recordings. They are there forever. Well, as long as there is something (resembling) electricity.

Slowly but surely the world is saying farewell to a generation of rock musicians that defined a part of my earliest youth and a huge chunk of my musical taste. Five years, perhaps for some ten and then it is all over. So in the meantime, let them enjoy their music, popularity and still being able to play live and we get to enjoy their music and energy. Rock on for a few more years, The Rolling Stones. Although I have decided not to go any more, I've seen them enough times, many still do and that is the biggest reason to continue, I'd say.

Wout de Natris