January 18th, 2011 3:13 pm ET
http://www.examiner.com/rolling-stones-in-national/charlie-watts-announces-2011-...

Just as he did in 2010, Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts is doing select tour dates in Europe in 2011, with his jazz band The A, B, C & D of Boogie Woogie. The 2011 tour kicks off in Vienna, Austria, at the Wiener Metropol on March 30, March 31 and April 1. Other tour dates are to be announced.

(Click here to see The A, B, C & D of Boogie Woogie perform at a September 2010 concert in Paris.)

The A, B, C & D of Boogie Woogie group members also include bass player Dave Green and pianists Axel Zwingenberger and Ben Waters. As previously reported, Waters has collaborated with the Rolling Stones and former Stones bass player Bill Wyman for a tribute album titled "Boogie for Stu," honoring the late Ian Stewart, who was a longtime backup musician for the Stones. The Rolling Stones and Wyman have reportedly recorded a cover version of Bob Dylan's "Watching the River Flow" for Waters' "Boogie for Stu" album (due out on March 9, 2011), which features several other guests artists.

In 2010, there were rampant rumors that the Stones would begin their next tour in the summer of 2011. I have always been skeptical that a Stones tour would begin in the summer of 2011, considering that it takes about a year for the Stones to plan their tours, and there was no indication that they were preparing to start a tour at that time.

If a Stones tour had been scheduled for the summer of 2011, the Stones would have to be ready to rehearse by the spring of 2011. And with Watts touring with his jazz band during this period of time, all signs point to the Stones not being ready to tour until the last quarter of 2011, if they tour in 2011 at all. A new Rolling Stones album in 2011 is more likely, as guitarist Keith Richards has been hinting in his more recent interviews. Stay tuned

Good for the folks across the pond and Charlie, but
I guess this means no Stones Tour........

A huge "goodbye" tour and be done with it. I dont think Mick & Keith would care if they ever saw each other again.

The "hold up" is Mick.

Just Mick.

Ole Bastard.

Gazza wrote on Jan 19^th, 2011 at 7:30am:


Yeah they've been doing that forever it seems.

A nice, mellowed out arena tour of songs never played would be hard since they'd have to go back together and re-learn all those songs together day in and day out. I can see why they want to be apart for a while.

I'd be easier (and yes pointless) for them to do another greatest hits tour, since they already know the songs!

Well it can't be health problems. Charlie's looking good. Ronnie has been staying sober. Keith looks healthy in public appearences. Altough his ability to play guitar is a huge question mark.Certainly nothing wrong with Mick's health. They just can't seem to figure out a way to do something different from the mega tours they're used to doing.

That's a wrap.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBzJGckMYO4

If we don't hear anything after the supposed February meeting, things are not in our favor.
At the same time, I cannot imagine them letting the 50th anniversary go by without a Tour.

The flame on my candle of hope is fading.

And then MAJOR depression set in.....................................................sigh

Gazza, what do you think the chances of a new 'Best-Of' are? 40 Licks in no longer available of course and if the Stones are to tour in celebration of 50 years as a group, then I can sense another compilation on the horizon. After all, how many have the Who relreased in recent years?

LadyJane wrote on Jan 19^th, 2011 at 11:44am:

At least your credit cards will thank you.

LadyJane wrote on Jan 19^th, 2011 at 11:44am:


They'll NOT let that pass without a bang of some sort. I'd bet money on it.

Whether it's in any wise for them to wait that long before they do anything is another matter entirely, though.

I still believe that in april there will be a pressconference anouncing a worldtour, starting somewhere around september in the US. I think the designing and building of the stage(s) have already begun. I don't however believe in a new album. That's just to late for a new tour. Let's wait and see.

Tumbling Dijs wrote on Jan 19^th, 2011 at 4:44pm:


ARE YOU RELATED TO IAN BILLEN ?

I have said it before and I will say it again...

Set up a RESIDENCY in 3 or 4 cities...

let the money come to you, Mick!!!

Low overhead...plenty of R & R...a serious comfort zone...
and themed shows...greatest hits...60s/70s...70s/80... 90s/00 ( the best seats will be at these shows)...specific albums...stripped...or not...

I think Jagger can still fit in all the glitter blazers from 2005

Paranoid Android wrote on Jan 19^th, 2011 at 6:10pm:

Keith no likey.

Gazza wrote on Jan 19^th, 2011 at 7:30am:


______________________________

Gazza rest assured Mick Jagger IS interested in a Stones tour...Why? =cash, fame, performing. As you said he's no dummy so it should not of taken him this long to finally realize his bread and butter is with The Rolling Stones. Be it financially or publicity wise nothing he has done, or will do will come close to that ...so he knows it.  However something isn't jiving with the summer of 2011 being the time??

Something is a "problem" there. I hope they all have their health?... Possibly we will see an album... It's only been six years since their last release....

As you said ... I am not too interested in a tour. I am interested in a album FIRST then I will start thinkin about goin and seeing them.  I KNOW what they can do live. We all do. What we don't know is how much, and to what quality they can deliver an album these days. I look forward to a great Stones album making me feel as only The Stones can. Some how it always fits into the story of your life and you love it. That is what I look forward to... not a tour so much. Tour is secondary to me these days. There is much more mystery to a studio release.

Ian

guys. they are getting older and they got other shit to do.

gimmekeef wrote on Jan 20^th, 2011 at 9:10am:

family, friends and enjoying the fruits of success.

Ian Billen wrote on Jan 20^th, 2011 at 12:38am:



Not as convinced as you are. Money might be all well and good, but it wouldnt be the first time that Jagger has refused to tour with the Stones because he felt the band weren't up to the task OR because relationships within the band made such a venture an unpleasant prospect.

In 1986 it was both. In 2011 it could well be one of the above (more likely the first one) and also for the first time ever there's the added elephant in the room that (gasp) a Stones tour may not be the sure-fire record breaker that it's always been in the past. 

They'll need a new business model next time. Can Jagger's ego stomach making the effort to embark on a major tour which will only bring in a fraction of the revenue that previous tours made?

The Stones may live in a bubble, but most of the rest of the planet certainly don't. If they dont make their shows more affordable, they'll have serious problems.

Gazza wrote on Jan 20^th, 2011 at 11:03am:


LOL..tell me about it!!!

50 LICKS?!  50 YEARS is the next cash cow for the Stones. MICK is still mad about what KEEF wrote in the book about his tiny todger! However, the 50 YEAR ANNIVERSARY will trump the bad feelings and MICK will get over his moodiness by then. MICK's ego is large and proud, but he's far from stupid so the Stones will cash in on 50th YEARS and release a big CD 50 song package and a few new songs thrown in so we have to buy it! Another tour of just the big cities where people spend the bucks and add another successful tour to their legendary career, praised for the longest running act, one for the history books! It aint over yet!

Gazza wrote on Jan 20^th, 2011 at 11:02am:

_________________________

From the interview with Keith where he stated they were talking about "changing" how The Rolling Stones tour and the tid-bits coming in saying they are looking into different options .... and with their high profile promoters looking at if it is possible and how in 2011-2012 (Cohl ... not to mention Jagger and Co's. and all their handlers/management's business savy) I am sure they realize a change in how it is to work is necessary. This time I think the standard album .... followed by a year and a half/two year tour is out. I sense a change in the order of things some how.

No Stones tour in history lost money. With all their high end analysts / promoters looking at these multi-million dollar jaunts of today I am sure they will make the necessary adjustments or change direction appropriately. Remember, whether Jaggers ego is large or not... the people surrounding them are not going to invest all their time and all this money if it has a good chance at failing. Jagger will have to promote and fund the tour himself if he isn't willing to accept changes.  It's economics and as large as Jaggers ego is, and with all the clout the guy has which is immense, still he isnt going to persuade a promotion company and/or corporate sponsors to spend millions against their analysts better judgment.

*As far as Mick being interested. What I meant is the guy is certainly interested... but I agree as you said ...he'd stand behind not touring if he thought it would embarrass him or the band. He was too calculative and wisely reserved to risk a Stones endeavor in 86 and he's every bit as calculative today.



Ian

Do we ever stop to think...that maybe they are just done with all the effort that goes into touring?..Man at their age with their tour legacy secured I'd be hard pressed to say.."yeah let's give it a go" unless there was a compelling reason to do so. i can't find one....50 years ??? not sure even that's enough

MY BELIEF IS MICK IS WAY MORE INTERESTED RIGHT NOW IN MAKING HIS PROJECT WITH SCORCESE WORK, RATHER THAN WORKING WITH KEITH.

IN HONOR OF THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 86 NON TOUR.. THE STONES WILL NOT TOUR IN 2011.
ONE CAN MEDICATE ONES DEPRESSIONS BY PLAYING DIRTY WORK....LOUD !

Joey wrote on Jan 21^st, 2011 at 12:40pm:



Joey...time for your walk....

luxury wrote on Jan 21^st, 2011 at 3:33pm:

...
and right after that Howard introduced a midget with Tourets to make fun of?

[quote author=Gazza link=1295408951/25#45 date=1295625076]I'm not suggesting a Stones tour would lose money, Ian - as long as they're being bankrolled up to their necks by corporate sponsors, thats never going to happen - but that it might not be the windfall that's massive enough to make them want to bother even risking it.

______________________________

I know you weren't. I'm saying that the analysts and promoters would give the layout on what would probably make money and what very well may not and the tour route and structure would have to abide to what would most likely make money otherwise they wouldn't fund such a doomed jaunt is what I was trying to get across. 

And to echo what scl and gimmekeef have just said, Keith's 'pronouncements' about the band's future altruistic intentions have become more empty and worthless with each succeeding year, and the argument that the entire band is really into doing all of this anymore isn't that convincing.

_________________________________


It's is convincing they want to do it to me. Why? Well...They are in talks about it. They do not need to fly in from wherever to say ..."I'm not into it this time guys". Kina as Bill Wyman didn't. No gathered meeting between Bill and The Stones was needed. One by one they tried to persuade him but as far as meetings go ... wasn't needed. Nor would it be needed this time if one of em or all of them didn't want to do it. Regardless... they would of quit already if they didn't want to continue doing this into their elder years. The Stones will tour until they can't anymore for one reason or another. Every tour we have people that say they probably aren't going to do it anymore or aren't that into it and every time look what we get... . That rap has been going on for decades... They would of lost interest already, or a long while back if they didn't have it in their blood. It's a challenge to them and they enjoy it and enjoy being The Rolling Stones. All of them say they are in talks of things to come concerning The Rolling Stones... what more can you say? They are not ready to retire yet.


Ian

IAN BILLEN YOUR FAITH IS INSPIRING..INSPIRING ME TO READ ALL 1,000 PAGES OF THE JOEY THREAD !

" ..INSPIRING ME TO READ ALL 1,000 PAGES OF THE JOEY THREAD  ! "

!!!!!!!

Pretty hard to resist a Stones show thats 80 miles down the road even if I dont like the venue, albert.

Especially when on the two occasions I've been there for the Stones, theyve been the only shows out of 47 where I was able to get home the same night. (And 43 of those shows have necessitated a plane journey (sometimes two) and/or a boat trip to see the gig!)

Dont think they'll play Slane again, though. The promoters try and vary the headline act around as much as they can. Plus, as the Irish economy is in the toilet and will be for the next few decades, a Stones gig there to 60,000 people would be a tough sell.