Rolling Stones Drummer Steve Jordan Fills Big Shoes
On Oct. 17, 2021, the British classic rock band, The Rolling Stones performed at the new SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. This marks the first time the band has performed in Los Angeles since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The iconic ‘’tongue and lips’’ band logo designed by John Pasche which has been prominent on all Stones album and single covers in addition to merchandise post-1970 signifying the start of the show at the So-Fi Stadium on October 17, 2021. (Zipporah Pruitt | The Corsair)
Messianic, satanic, no matter what you call them, they love to play the blues. The Rolling Stones, or Stones, blew the roof off of Inglewood’s SoFi Stadium on Oct. 17, 2021 as they played the second of their two shows in Los Angeles.
Their 2019 “No Filter” Tour was the last tour the Stones had with drummer Charlie Watts before his passing on Aug. 24, 2021. Watts undertook a medical procedure and took time off the tour to recover, appointing New Barbarians drummer Steve Jordan to take his place during the tour.
Arguably, Jordan is a more than adequate replacement to take over Watts' drumming role, considering his musical expertise and relationship with Watts and the other Stones.
The Rolling Stones open their concert at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif. on October 17, 2021.
Jordan knew Watts for several years and has performed some Stones’ songs as a drummer for original Stone Keith Richards’ side project X-Pensive Winos. Watts, the original drummer of the Stones, is known by many as one of the greatest drummers of all time, and his drumming has been praised as more clean and precise than other drummers. Watts appointed Jordan to fill in for the 2021 “No Filter” tour in the U.S., and his appointment of Jordan speaks to his belief that Jordan is a more than adequate drummer.
In a statement released by the band on Aug. 8, 2021, Watts said, “I really do not want the many fans who have been holding tickets for this tour to be disappointed by another postponement or cancellation. I have therefore asked my great friend Steve Jordan to stand in for me.”
Jordan, while not the relaxed and calm jazz drummer that Watts was known as, commands respect as a drummer. Conversely, Jordan is a thunderous and energetic presence onstage. He has performed with a number of legendary artists such as Bruce Springsteen, Jon Batiste, Bruno Mars, and Beyoncè.
Stones superfan, Larry Johnson, who has been to almost every Stones concert in California since 1972 said about Watts’ death, “I think Charlie did his job and did it very well and he was ok with that. Charlie was a cornerstone of the Stones and sadly I would be ok if the Stones called it quits after Charlie’s death. They have nothing to prove.”
This is a stance many take, as the original drummer, Watts was an integral part of The Rolling Stones. While Jordan has big shoes to fill, he is more than capable of taking over Watt’s duties as drummer for the band. As many fans wonder what is next after the death of Watts, some believe that the band is close to calling it quits and hanging up their guitars. Just as a rolling stone gathers no moss, these rock stars will keep rolling on, remembering the legacy of their great drummer, while also making great strides towards the future.
