Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts has died at the age of 80
Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts has died aged 80 surrounded by his family in hospital weeks after he pulled out of US tour to recover from emergency surgery
Charlie Watts has died at the age of 80, his London publicist Bernard Doherty said in a statement todayThe London-born drummer joined fledgling band in 1963 and featured on all of the band’s studio albumsA statement released today said Watts, who recently had surgery, ‘died peacefully surrounded by his family’Watts had to pull out of the band’s US tour scheduled for later this year to allow him to recover from surgery
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The Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts has died at the age of 80, it has today been announced.
The London-born drummer joined the then-fledgling band in 1963 after meeting Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Brian Jones while playing in rhythm and blues clubs.
Along with Jagger and Richards, Watts featured on every one of the band’s studio albums. He was widely regarded as one of the greatest drummers of all time.
Known for his deadpan wit, understated conversational style and love of tailored suits, his low-key style was much at odds with the flamboyant lifestyle of band mates such as Jagger and Richards.
He had one wife, Shirley, with whom who he married in 1964 before the band shot to superstardom. The couple, who lived together in a rural village in Devon, last year rescued a greyhound from an Oxford animal sanctuary.
Watts was due to tour the US with the band later this year as part of their ‘No Filter’ tour. But it was announced earlier this month he would not feature as he needed to recover from a recent emergency surgery.
Watts is the first long-stay member of The Rolling Stones to die of age-related illness. Founder and leader of the band, Jones, died in 1969, shortly after being kicked out of the band, from accidental drowning.
Today Watts’ London publicist, Bernard Doherty, said in a statement: ‘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.
The London-born drummer joined the then-fledgling band in 1963 after meeting Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Brian Jones while playing in rhythm and blues clubs
Alongside frontman Sir Mick and guitarist Keith Richards, Watts was among the longest-standing members of the Stones, which has seen a shifting line-up of musicians including Mick Taylor, Ronnie Wood and Bill Wyman
Drummer Charlie Watts of the Rolling Stones pictured in the 1970s at a British concert and sporting a David Bowie style feather cut
Pictured: The last image of Charlie Watts with his wife Shirley and their rescue greyhound Suzie who was rescued from Forever Hounds Trust
Watts (pictured left in 2007) was due to tour the US with the band later this year. But it was announced earlier this month Watts (pictured right with The Rolling Stones in 1969) would not feature due to a recent emergency surgery
‘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.’
Earlier this month, it was announced that Watts was to miss the band’s forthcoming US tour.
A spokesman for him said at the time he was ‘unlikely to be available for the resumption of the Rolling Stones USA No Filter Tour this fall’ as he recovered from an unspecified medical procedure.
The band are due to resume the tour Stateside in September, following its postponement last year amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Session and touring musician Steve Jordan was previously announced as Watts’ temporary replacement on drums.
Watts said at the time that ‘For once my timing has been a little off. I am working hard to get fully fit but I have today accepted on the advice of the experts that this will take a while.’
A spokesperson said then that Watts’ procedure had been ‘completely successful’ but that he needed time to recuperate.
Following the news, Sir Mick Jagger welcomed Jordan, who will join the band when the tour starts in St Louis on September 26, with dates also scheduled for Pittsburgh, Nashville, Minneapolis, Dallas and more.
The London-born drummer joined the then-fledgling band in January 1963 after meeting Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Brian Jones while playing in rhythm and blues clubs. Along with Jagger and Richards, Watts featured on every one of the band’s studio albums.
Japanese actress Yoko Ono, Julian Lennon and his father John Lennon (of the Beatles) at the rehearsal of the Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus, at the Intertel Studios, Wembley, in 1968
The Rolling Stones, Bill Wyman and his girlfriend, and drummer Charlie Watts (pictured in the background) arriving at Newcastle Central Station for the first concert in a series of UK dates in 1971
The Rolling Stones, Bill Wyman, left, – a poster of missing member Keith Richards who was detained in Canada on drugs charges at the time, Ronnie Wood, Mick Jagger and Charlie Watts, during the launch of their new live album “Love You Live,” recorded in Toronto and Paris in 1977
Often at odds with his flamboyant band, The Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts was the quiet, considered and skilful force that kept his group in time. He was also known for his deadpan wit, understated conversational style, love of tailored suits and deep obsession with jazz music
Here Charlie Watts is pictured with The Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, who posted a touching tribute to The Rolling Stones star following the news of his death, aged 80
Charlie Watts, pictured here during rehearsals for an episode of the Friday night TV pop/rock show ‘Ready Steady Go!’, at Associated-Rediffusion’s Television House studios in London in 1965
Charlie Watts of the Rolling Stones and his wife Shirley at the graveside of Brian Jones. former guitarist with the group, whose funeral took place in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
In 2004, Watts (pictured centre in 2019) was treated for throat cancer at London’s Royal Marsden Hospital and he was given the all-clear after a four-month battle with the disease, involving six weeks of intensive radiotherapy treatment
Alongside frontman Sir Mick and guitarist Keith Richards, Watts was among the longest-standing members of the Stones, which has seen a shifting line-up of musicians including Mick Taylor, Ronnie Wood and Bill Wyman
Watts (pictured left), who reportedly gave up smoking in the 1980s, said during an interview with Rolling Stone magazine at the time that he felt ‘very lucky’ doctors had caught the cancer early
Pictured left: Charlie Watts, of the Rolling Stones, performs during a concert of the group’s No Filter Europe Tour at U Arena in Nanterre, outside Paris, France, in 2017. Pictured right: Ever the snappy dresser, Charlie Watts congratulates jockey Eddie Ahern after securing victory in the King Edward VII Stakes on Father Time at Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire, in 2009
Alongside frontman Sir Mick and guitarist Keith Richards, Watts was among the longest-standing members of the Stones, which has seen a shifting line-up of musicians including Mick Taylor, Ronnie Wood and Bill Wyman.
In 2004, Watts was treated for throat cancer at London’s Royal Marsden Hospital and he was given the all-clear after a four-month battle with the disease, involving six weeks of intensive radiotherapy treatment.
Watts was diagnosed after discovering a lump on the left side of his neck.
Doctors performed a biopsy which confirmed the tumour was malignant and he was diagnosed with throat cancer in June that year.
In 2004, Watts was treated for throat cancer at London’s Royal Marsden Hospital and he was given the all-clear after a four-month battle with the disease, involving six weeks of intensive radiotherapy treatment
Charlie Watts (L), Mick Jagger (2L), Ron Wood (2R) and Keith Richards (R) of the Rolling Stones pose after arriving in front of a blimp with a Rolling Stones logo, at Van Cortland Park in the Bronx section of New York City in 2002
The Rolling Stones band members (L-R) Ronnie Wood, Mick Jagger, Charlie Watts and Keith Richards perform on stage during their “No Filter” tour at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, in 2019
The Rolling Stones (L-R) Mick Jagger, Charlie Watts, Keith Richards and Ron Wood, are pictured upon landing in Montevideo in 2016
His spokesman said at the time that Watts’ treatment had ‘not interfered with any tour or recording plans for the group, who have been ‘relaxing between work commitments”.
Following his recovery, the band began work on their 22nd studio album, A Bigger Bang.
Watts, who reportedly gave up smoking in the 1980s, said during an interview with Rolling Stone magazine at the time that he felt ‘very lucky’ doctors had caught the cancer early.
Today tributes flooded in for the star drummer, including from The Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, who said in a post on Twitter: ‘God bless Charlie Watts we’re going to miss you man. Peace and love to the family, Ringo.’
Another music legend, Elton John, today said in a statement on Twitter: ‘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.’
Canadian musician Bryan Adams today joined the procession of stars Tweeting tributes. He said: ‘RIP Charlie Watts. One of the greatest rock drummers ever and a real gentleman. Condolences to his family and the band.’
American jazz singer Curtis Stigers also paid tribute, saying: ‘My mom always claimed I was conceived during the chorus of ‘Satisfaction’ by the Rolling Stones. Thank you Charlie Watts. I owe you my life. Rest in peace.’
And in a touching video tribute, The Beatles star Paul McCartney said: ‘So sad to hear about Charlie Watts, the Stones drummer, dying. He was a lovely guy. I knew he was ill but I didn’t know it was this. So, lots of love to his family, his wife and kids, and to his extended family.
‘And condolences to the Stones, it will be a huge blow to them because Charlie was a rock and a fantastic drummer. Love you Charlie, always loved you, beautiful man.’
The man who kept the Stones In Time: Sharp-dressed jazz fan Charlie took six months to agree to join the band
Often at odds with his flamboyant band, The Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts (pictured right with the band in 1964) was the quiet, considered and skilful force that kept his group in time.
Often at odds with his flamboyant band, The Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts was the quiet, considered and skilful force that kept his group in time.
The drummer, who has died aged 80, was known for his sophisticated and inventive playing on classic tracks including Jumpin’ Jack Flash, Honky Tonk Women and Brown Sugar.
However, he was also known for his deadpan wit, understated conversational style, love of tailored suits and deep obsession with jazz music.
Charles Robert Watts was born on June 2 1941 and grew up in Wembley, north-west London.
His father, also Charles Watts, was a lorry driver while his mother Lillian was a homemaker and the couple shared two children – Charlie and his sister Linda.
Watts attended Tyler Croft Secondary Modern School from 1952 to 1956 and as a schoolboy enjoyed art, cricket and football.
His parents gave him his first drum kit in 1955, allowing him to play along to his favourite jazz records, which included those by Duke Ellington and Charlie Parker.
By the age of 16, he was drumming in jazz groups and a regular on the London club scene, which was then focused on the parallel worlds of jazz and blues rock.
Alexis Korner, sometimes referred to as “the founding father of British blues”, invited Watts to join his band Blues Incorporated, which featured a number of future stars.
It was then that he met Mick Jagger, who would guest as a vocalist occasionally.
Alexis Korner, sometimes referred to as “the founding father of British blues”, invited Watts (pictured right next to Mick Jagger (centre) in 1964) to join his band Blues Incorporated, which featured a number of future stars. It was then that he met Mick Jagger, who would guest as a vocalist occasionally
Jagger also had his own group with Keith Richards and Brian Jones but lacked a regular drummer.
Watts, ever sensible, initially turned down an invitation to join them in favour of his day job as a graphic designer at an advertising agency.
A six-month campaign eventually convinced him to join and Watts made his first appearance with the Rolling Stones in January 1963 at the Flamingo club in London’s Soho.
However, even then he refused to give up his day job, only doing so once the band had signed to Decca Records.
His time living in the band’s infamously squalid flat in Edith Grove, Chelsea, was short lived.
Once the band had recorded their first chart hits – Come On and I Wanna Be Your Man – he moved into an flat overlooking Regent’s Park.
He married his girlfriend, Shirley Shepherd, a sculpture student at the Royal College of Art who he met before finding fame, in 1964.
Of all the group, Watts (pictured left with The Rolling Stones in 2006) was reportedly the one that struggled most when they went into tax exile in France during the recording of their 1972 album Exile on Main St, so much did he miss England
Watts’ fashion sense was often at odds with his bandmates, preferring finely-tailored suits over the bohemian chic of Jagger and Richards.
He said once: “To me the 1960s was Miles Davis and three-button suits.”
An enduring passion was cricket, which saw him regularly attend Lord’s Cricket Ground and other matches, sometimes with his bandmates.
Of all the group, he was reportedly the one that struggled most when they went into tax exile in France during the recording of their 1972 album Exile on Main St, so much did he miss England.
The year 1989 saw him inducted into the Rock on Roll Hall of Fame alongside the rest of the Rolling Stones and in 2006 he was voted in the Modern Drummer Hall, joining a roll call of famous names including Sir Ringo Starr, Keith Moon and Buddy Rich.
In 2016, Watts was ranked 12th in Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 100 greatest drummers of all time.
He leaves behind his wife Shirley (nee Shepherd), daughter Seraphina, born in 1968, and granddaughter Charlotte, born in 1996.
