What happens to the Greatest Rock and Roll Band in the World without Charlie Watts? I worry about such things. Mick, Keith, and Ronnie must be dealing with a lot right now, trying to finish up a once-postponed US tour with all the covid crap going on, while mourning their bandmate of nearly 60 years. It's likely they haven't given a ton of thought to where The Rolling Stones, Ltd goes from here. I think I figured it out for them, after reading a review of opening night in St. Louis.
You may remember that Charlie wasn't gonna play these shows anyway, for health reasons (little did we know). Steve Jordan, from Keith's side band, the X-pensive Winos, was already slotted in. I read in a review of the first post-Charlie show that the band sounds more Winos-like with Steve in the band, which makes sense. Nothing wrong with any band, even the Stones, sounding like the Winos, they're a world-class, fire-breathing rock and roll band. My suggestion to them, should they ask, is to take that idea a step further.
I don’t know this for a fact, but let's assume that Mick and Keith want to keep rolling on in some form. I don't think that's much of a stretch, they seem addicted to the adoring crowds. Ronnie, I’m less sure about. He just had a major cancer scare and still looks a little shaky. Maybe it’s time, at 74, for him to focus more on his painting career. If he were to bow out, adding guitarist Waddy Wachtel to the lineup would create a half-Stones, half-Winos hybrid, something I think could really work as an ongoing live (and maybe studio?) act. I’d keep Daryl Jones on bass, since he’s the current keeper of the Stones' bass groove catalog, and I'd absolutely keep Chuck Leavell on board as musical director, a role he’s been filling brilliantly for the Stones for decades. Nobody can re-tool classic rock songs for maximum arena impact like Chuck. Sadly, Sarah Dash is gone, so the band will need another girl singer, but I’m thinking Lisa Fischer might step in, if they asked nicely.
The retooled band would have a handful of killer X-pensive Winos tunes to add to the setlist and freshen it up. “Take It So Hard” was a great Winos show opener, no reason it wouldn't be in this context, too. Keith could be in the spotlight singing more, allowing Mick to strap on a guitar or grab a harmonica and jam with the band more often, which he seems to love. I can see the combination band and songs working really well live, I’d for sure want to score a ticket. The new band name is even sitting right there, ripe for the picking – Rolling Winos. That’s even better than Boosting Liquor Stores, right? I only hope they give me a call when they need a new logo. I have some ideas.
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