Charlie Watts The Rolling Stones Drummer: A Tribute

Charlie Watts, drummer with The Rolling Stones has sadly passed away aged 80. The musician, renowned for being the backbone of one of the longest lasting bands in rock and roll had been in the group since 1963. As previously reported by TheatreArtLife earlier in August, Watts had stepped down from the band’s upcoming North American tour under doctor’s orders, a matter of weeks ago.

The Announcement

A statement from Charlie Watts’ spokesperson came on 24^th August, published across online platforms sharing the sad news.

“It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Charlie Watts. He passed away peacefully in a London hospital earlier today surrounded by his family.

Charlie was a cherished husband, father and grandfather and also as a member of The Rolling Stones one of the greatest drummers of his generation.

We kindly request that the privacy of his family, band members and close friends is respected at this difficult time.”

Charlie Watts Legacy

After nearly 60 years in The Rolling Stones, Watts certainly made an impact on the British and wider music scene. The group were pivotal members of the 1960s counterculture, bringing rock and roll music to the mainstream, and of course what’s affectionately known as ‘The British Invasion’, bringing British pop and rock music to North America.

While Watts is most famous for his many years as a rock and roll drummer, he was always a jazz-lover at heart, citing the genre as a major influence on his drumming style. As a person, he was famously able to hold his own against the other larger-than-life characters in the band, as many humorous and eclectic biographical tales have attested over the years.

Originally Watts had trained as a graphic artist, before he started playing drums in London’s rhythm and blues clubs, where he met Brian Jones, Mick Jagger, and Keith Richards. In January 1963, he joined the band, also designing their record artwork and tour stages. Charlie Watts, along with Jagger and Richards, were the only band members to have been featured on all of their studio albums. He toured with his own group, the Charlie Watts Quintet, and appeared in London at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club with the Charlie Watts Tentet.

In 2006, Watts was elected into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame; in the same year, Vanity Fair elected him into the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame. In the estimation of noted music critic Robert Christgau, Watts was “rock’s greatest drummer.” In 2016, he was ranked 12th on Rolling Stone’s “100 Greatest Drummers of All Time” list.

In his private life, Charlie Watts was a devoted family man, and had been married to his wife Shirley since 1964. He is survived by wife Shirley, their daughter Seraphina, and two grandchildren.

Tributes

While the news of Watts passing is relatively new, the tributes have already began flooding in across various platforms.

Elton John expressed his sympathy

A very sad day. Charlie Watts was the ultimate drummer. The most stylish of men, and such brilliant company. My deepest condolences to Shirley, Seraphina and Charlotte. And of course, The Rolling Stones.

@therollingstones #CharlieWatts #RIP pic.twitter.com/9rjSSgioZL

— Elton John (@eltonofficial) August 24, 2021

As did Nile Rodgers

Rest In Power #CharlieWatts RIP. You are a smooth brother. Thanks for all the great music. pic.twitter.com/ePlXpiiqNc

— Nile Rodgers (@nilerodgers) August 24, 2021

As the world mourns and says ‘goodbye’ to a rock and roll legend headed to the great gig in the sky, we say a collective ‘thank you’ for the years of outstanding music. It was only rock and roll, but we liked it. Charlie Watts will be sorely missed.

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