'Go on with Steve': Rolling Stones' Keith Richards, 77, reflects on moving moment late drummer Charlie Watts told band to go on with Steve Jordan, 64, in his place
Keith Richards has reflected on the death of Rolling Stones icon Charlie Watts - saying he gave the band his blessing to continue with Steve Jordan.
Drummer Charlie died at the age of 80 in August surrounded by family and Keith, 77, has now said they spoke about how the Stones would move on after his death, with Charlie telling them: 'Look, go on with Steve.'
Speaking to Strombo on Apple Music Hits, Keith said: 'For a band of our longevity to suddenly have another man in the drummer's seat is a leap in the dark.
![Moving on: Keith Richards, 77, has reflected on the death of Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts, saying he gave the band his blessing to continue with Steve Jordan, 64](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/10/29/17/49800123-10145147-Moving_on_Keith_Richards_77_has_reflected_on_the_death_of_Rollin-a-3_1635525356938.jpg)
Moving on: Keith Richards, 77, has reflected on the death of Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts, saying he gave the band his blessing to continue with Steve Jordan, 64
'The last thing I wanted to do was a Rolling Stones tour without Charlie, but you know, Charlie said, "Look go on with Steve."'
He added that Charlie was the 'mainstay' of the band, saying without him 'everything fell apart'.
The musician and the band - Keith, Sir Mick Jagger, 78, Ronnie Wood, 74 and Steve, 64 - who are currently touring with their No Filter Tour, felt there was a transition with Steve as they wanted Charlie's energy to be felt through Steve's performance.
![Tragic: Their bandmate Charlie Watts died at the age of 80 in August surrounded by family and Sir Mick recently said he finds it 'strange' performing without the drummer (pictured in 2010)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/10/29/17/49801259-10145147-Late_star_Sticksman_Charlie_died_at_the_age_of_80_in_August_surr-a-1_1635525356928.jpg)
Late star: Sticksman Charlie died at the age of 80 in August surrounded by family, with the cause of death yet to be confirmed
![Great addition: Musician Steve replaced the late Charlie Watts on their No Filter Tour (pictured in California this month)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/10/29/17/49209719-10145147-Great_addition_Musician_Steve_replaced_the_late_Charlie_Watts_on-a-6_1635525357042.jpg)
Great addition: Musician Steve replaced the late Charlie Watts on their No Filter Tour (pictured in California this month)
Keith added: 'Steve loved Charlie to death and they were good friends. So it's almost like a transitional thing that we all have to deal with when we get up there every night. But so far, so good. Great energy, great fun.'
His bandmate Sir Mick recently said he finds it 'strange' performing without Charlie.
The Rolling Stones kicked off their North American tour earlier this month, but the Sympathy for the Devil hitmaker admitted he and his bandmates are still not used to being on stage without the late drummer.
![Heartfelt words: Keith has now said the band spoke about how the Stones would move on after Charlie's death, with drummer telling them: 'Look, go on with Steve.'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/10/29/17/49801343-10145147-Heartfelt_words_Keith_has_now_said_the_band_spoke_about_how_the_-a-4_1635525356940.jpg)
Heartfelt words: Keith has now said the band spoke about how the Stones would move on after Charlie's death, with drummer telling them: 'Look, go on with Steve.'
![He added: 'Steve loved Charlie to death and they were good friends. So it's almost like a transitional thing that we all have to deal with'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/10/29/17/49801345-10145147-He_added_Steve_loved_Charlie_to_death_and_they_were_good_friends-a-8_1635525357112.jpg)
He added: 'Steve loved Charlie to death and they were good friends. So it's almost like a transitional thing that we all have to deal with'
![Speaking out: Keith spoke to Strombo on Apple Music Hits as the band continued with the North American leg of their No Filter tour](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/10/29/18/49800125-10145147-Speaking_out_Keith_spoke_to_Strombo_on_Apple_Music_Hits_as_the_b-a-26_1635526912789.jpg)
Speaking out: Keith spoke to Strombo on Apple Music Hits as the band continued with the North American leg of their No Filter tour
Mick told SiriusXM DJ Howard Stern: 'Every time we get together now and rehearse, we say, "Oh, Charlie would say this, then he would do that."
An official cause of death has not been revealed but he suffered from a series of health problems in recent years, including a diagnosis of throat cancer in 2004.
'We did so many shows with him and so many tours and so many recording sessions, it’s strange being without him. And he said, when he was sick, he said, "You’ve gotta just carry on and do this tour. Don’t stop because of me." So we did.'
![Rock on: guitarist Keith was seen on stage with singer Sir Mick Jagger, 78, who a pink embroidered jacket in Inglewood, California this month](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/10/29/17/49208379-10145147-Rock_on_guitarist_Keith_was_seen_on_stage_with_singer_Sir_Mick_J-a-7_1635525357059.jpg)
Rock on: guitarist Keith was seen on stage with singer Sir Mick Jagger, 78, who a pink embroidered jacket in Inglewood, California this month
The Paint It Black singer also described Charlie as the 'heartbeat' of the group.
He said: 'Charlie was the heartbeat for the band, and also a very steady personality. He was not to be perturbed. He was a very reliable person, wasn’t a diva — that’s the last thing you want in a drummer.'
Elsewhere, Mick and Keith recently confirmed the band will not be performing their song Brown Sugar, amid discomfort about the 50-year-old classic's references to slavery.
![Tribute: The Rolling Stones kicked off their North American tour earlier this month, but Sir Mick recently admitted he is still not used to being on stage without the Charlie](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/10/29/17/49209711-10145147-Tribute_The_Rolling_Stones_kicked_off_their_North_American_tour_-a-5_1635525356946.jpg)
Tribute: The Rolling Stones kicked off their North American tour earlier this month, but Sir Mick recently admitted he is still not used to being on stage without the Charlie
The hit track was originally titled 'Black P****', but Jagger decided before releasing it that the title was too 'nitty-gritty' and it was changed to Brown Sugar.
The band, currently on the road for a 13-date U.S. tour, have not played Brown Sugar - one of their most recognizable songs - since kicking off in St Louis on September 26.
The 1969 song depicts scenes of slavery and sexual violence, including lyrics telling of a slave driver whipping a group of women, and has come under fire in recent years for its comments about slavery.
Keith Richards said the band have made the decision to retire the track as they don't want to get involved in 'conflicts' about the lyrics, while Mick Jagger hinted that the song may return to their setlist in the future.
![Let's go! Mick and Keith belt out a lyric together on stage in Inglewood, California earlier this month](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/10/29/18/49209725-10145147-Let_s_go_Mick_and_Keith_belt_out_a_lyric_together_on_stage_in_In-a-27_1635526912818.jpg)
Let's go! Mick and Keith belt out a lyric together on stage in Inglewood, California earlier this month
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