Charlie Watts explains Stones mini-tours

Charlie Watts is the elder statesman of the Rolling Stones but, at 72, not by much. Both Mick Jagger and Keith Richards are only two years behind while Ron Wood trails by a full six.

Still, Watts is using his age (and, at times, all their ages) in explaining why the band is only playing short tours at this point in their career. Leading up to their dates Down Under, Watts talked to The Australian about how "daunting" touring is at their "tender age."

"This is short compared to what we've done before, but it needs to be, I think, at our tender age. The thought of doing 50 shows, which was normal at one time for us to sign off on, that is quite daunting. Now we're doing that in little bits. If we don't do any more I'll be quite happy with that."

Currently, the band has thirteen dates scheduled for 2014 in the Middle East, Japan, China and Australia/New Zealand.

•02/21 - Abu Dhabi, UAE - du Arena (Yas Island)
•02/26 - Tokyo, Japan - Tokyo Dome
•03/04 - Tokyo, Japan - Tokyo Dome
•03/06 - Tokyo, Japan - Tokyo Dome
•03/09 - Macau - CotaiArena
•03/12 - Shanghai, China - Mercedes-Benz Arena
•03/19 - Perth, Australia - Perth Arena
•03/22 - Adelaide, Australia - Adelaide Oval (soul out)
•03/25 - Sydney, Australia - Allphones Arena
•03/28 - Melbourne, Australia - Rod Laver Arena
•03/30 - Macedon Ranges, Australia - Hanging Rock
•04/02 - Brisbane, Australia - Entertainment Centre
•04/05 - Auckland, New Zealand - Mt Smart Stadium

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