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Stones Drummer Battling Cancer

Discussion in 'BBS Hangout' started by BobFinn*, Aug 16, 2004.

  1. BobFinn*

    BobFinn* Member

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    Stones Drummer Battling Cancer

    by Josh Grossberg
    Aug 16, 2004, 1:10 PM PT

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    Apparently time is on Charlie Watts' side.

    The Rolling Stones drummer is battling throat cancer, but his doctors expect the rock vet to lick the disease.

    "He is expected to make a full recovery and start work with the rest of the band later in the year," Lucy Hopkins, the Stones' London-based publicist, said in a statement Monday.

    Watts, the oldest one in the group at age 63, discovered a lump on his neck in June and a subsequent biopsy confirmed the growth was malignant. After undergoing what was described as a "minor operation" to remove the tumor, Watts has completed four weeks of a six-week intensive course of radiotherapy treatment at London's Royal Marsden Hospital, not far from his Chelsea home.

    The drummer, who, according to his rep, quit smoking more than 15 years ago, is "remaining upbeat," per Britain's Sunday Mirror.

    The paper quotes an unnamed family friend as saying, "[Watts] is very positive because he's been told he has every chance of being completely cured. The last thing he wants is everyone calling and making a fuss, thinking he's going to die."

    Wife Shirley, whom Watts married in 1964, has been tending to the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, as have the couple's two daughters, Seraphina and Charlotte, who flew in from their Bermuda home three weeks ago to be with their father during his radiotherapy. Watts has reportedly been seen walking the short distance from his Chelsea home to the hospital each morning, a bandage covering the left side of his neck.

    Known as the "quiet" member of the world's most famous rock 'n' roll band due to his shyness in front of the press and his laid-back style holding down the rhythm for the Stones' Glimmer Twins, 61-year-old Mick Jagger and 60-year-old Keith Richards.

    Watts was also more of a homebody than his mates and was never known as a serious party animal, although he did overcome an addiction to heroin and amphetamines in the 1980s. He reportedly hasn't touched drugs or alcohol since.

    Hopkins says the cancer has not interfered with the future of the band, which is on break now. The Stones are scheduled to head back into the studio to record a new album early next year, which will be followed by a new world tour.

    Aside from his drum duties for the Stones, Watts frequents London's jazz clubs and keeps time for several jazz combos, including the 12-piece Tentet and the Charlie Watts Quintet.

    And Watts isn't the only Stone to face health problems from years of smoking. Guitarist Ron Wood told the Sunday Mirror recently that doctors had warned him to give up cigarettes now, if he wants to avoid getting emphysema.

    Watts' prognosis should be heartening, especially considering that former Beatle George Harrison died of throat cancer at the age of 58 in November 2001.
     
  2. Nuggets4

    Nuggets4 Member

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    It seems people eitiher love Watts' playing or hate it. Personally, I'm one that loves it. It's just so simple, it fits the music perfectly which, ultimately, is the most important thing.

    Best of luck Charlie!
     

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