The octogenarian rocker "passed away peacefully in a London hospital earlier today surrounded by his family," his publicist said. Paul McCartney said Watts was "a fantastic drummer, steady as a rock."
Rock star Charlie Watts was also known playing jazzImage: Brian Foskett/National Jazz Archive/Heritage I/picture alliance
Advertisement
Charlie Watts, the legendary Rolling Stones drummer, has died at the age of 80.
The musician "passed away peacefully in a London hospital earlier today surrounded by his family," his publicist, Bernard Doherty said on Tuesday.
"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," Doherty added.
Watts revealed earlier this month he would not go on tour with the Rolling Stones in 2021 after undergoing a medical procedure.
The end of an icon
Charlie Watts was often described as one of the top musicians of his generation, helping to cement one of the greatest rhythm sections in the history of rock.
As a member of one of the first British bands to conquer the United States in the 1960s, the Rolling Stones went on multi-million pound tours across the world.
But in a recent interview with The Guardian he just spoke of himself as someone who was following his passions.
"I love playing the drums, and I love playing with Mick and Keith and Ronnie," Watts told The Guardian once. "I don't know about the rest of it. It wouldn't bother me if the Rolling Stones said: 'That's it ... enough.'"
Rolling Stones celebrate 60 years as a band
Their first concert was at London's Marquee Club on July 12, 1962. Six decades later, the Stones' concerts are still among the world's greatest rock'n'roll events.
Image: Robin Utrecht/picture alliance
60 years of Rolling Stones
They keep on rolling: The Stones are still touring across Europe, 60 years after the band played their first-ever gig, at London's Marquee Club on July 12, 1962. A new four-part BBC documentary series, "My Life as a Rolling Stone," focuses on the four core members, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood and the late Charlie Watts. Here's a look at how they became so legendary.
Image: Robin Utrecht/picture alliance
Starting out with rhythm and blues
Mick Jagger and Keith Richards met each other at school. In 1962, they founded The Rolling Stones. Also performing at their first concert in London were Tony Chapman (drums), Dick Taylor (bass) and Ian Stewart (piano). Another line-up followed with Brian Jones (second guitar), Bill Wyman (bass) and Charlie Watts (drums), who performed on the first album, The Rolling Stones, in 1964.
Image: Getty Images
Bad boy band
With their feel-good pop, The Beatles were already achieving world fame in 1964. That's why Andrew Loog Oldham, then manager of the Stones, wanted to create a group to counter the Fab Four. They were to become famous as the "bad boys" — though during their first TV performance in the show "Ready Steady Go," they came across as harmless good guys.
Image: Getty Images
A different image
One year later, on September 11, 1965, the Stones gave their first concert in West Germany — in the somewhat conservative city of Münster. The police had a hard time keeping their fans under control. Most residents in Münster, however, eyed the Stones with suspicion. In fact they were lucky. Fans in Berlin demolished a stage during a later concert, which would take seven years to rebuild.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/Otto Noecker
Sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll
During the late 1960s, no other band came to embody the image of the hedonistic rock band more than the Stones. Groupies and heavy drug use were par for the course. Hard drugs eventually took their toll on Stones guitarist Brian Jones. He left the band in June 1969 and a short time later, drowned in his swimming pool under mysterious circumstances.
Image: Imago
An ingenious idea
In May 1965, the Stones went on their third tour across the US, playing cover versions of rock hits once more. They still hadn't produced enough songs of their own. One night, Keith played a new melody on his guitar, and loved it so much that he recorded it and had Mick listen to it. It was the hookline of their first worldwide hit, "Satisfaction."
Image: picture-alliance/dpa
Shock in Altamont
The Altamont Free Concert, initiated by the Stones management, was intended as a peaceful counter event to Woodstock. Alongside the Stones on stage were, among others, Santana, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and Jefferson Airplane. When the Stones appeared, the crowd got out of control and the concert had to be interrupted. Hells Angels were behind the commotion.
Image: picture-alliance/AP
The end of the hippie era
When the Stones started playing "Under my Thumb," a man collapsed in front of the stage after a member of the Hells Angels stabbed him in the back. The band was deeply shocked. "If Woodstock was the dream," said British photographer Eamon McCabe later, "then Altamont was the nightmare." This day, December 6, 1969 is said to mark the end of the hippie era.
Image: picture-alliance/AP
1973, still with Mick Taylor (2nd from left)
The band faced tax troubles in the 70s, which led them to flee to France, where they recorded "Exile On Main St." in 1972, considered by many to be the best Stones album ever. In 1974, guitarist Mick Taylor left and was replaced by Ron Wood.
Image: akg-images/picture alliance
Drug-fueled 1970s
Drug busts complicated the band's international tour plans. Charged with "possession of heroin for the purpose of trafficking," Keith Richards was sent to rehab to avoid a long prison sentence, while Mick Jagger continued his jet-set lifestyle. Musically, they experimented with different musical genres, dabbling in funk ("Miss You" in 1978) and disco ("Emotional Rescue" in 1980).
Image: Michael Putland/Avalon/Retna/picture alliance
An amazing live band
Overcoming those problems, by the 1980s the band was back to doing what they do best: performing live concerts. They were in such demand that they easily filled entire football stadiums — including in Germany in 1982, where they played many legendary shows.
Image: Istvan Bajzat/dpa/picture alliance
Rocking around the world
Even after founding member Bill Wyman left in 1993, the Rolling Stones simply carried on into the next millennium, playing stages around the world. The idea of a farewell tour popped up a few times, but they kept on rocking. Despite their age, they never failed to put on spectacular shows. This photo was taken in 2003 in Moscow.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa
'I'm a rolling stone'
In 2006, Japanese fans enjoyed a Stones concert in the city of Saitama, north of Tokyo (pictured). Some time later, the Stones performed in the Serbian capital of Belgrade. True fans know where the band's name came from: Apparently, Brian Jones was inspired by the blues hit "Mannish Boy" by Muddy Waters, which contained the line, "I'm a rolling stone."
Image: AP
2021: Charlie Watts dies
He was the Stones' backbone. But in 2004 drummer Charlie Watts was diagnosed with cancer. Radiation therapy led to recovery, and he continued touring with the Stones for many years. His last concert was in August 2019, as part of the "No Filter" tour. Two years later, he died at the age of 80.
Image: Ian West/PA/picture alliance
The new man on the drums
At 65, he is way younger than all other members: Steve Jordan was first hired to fill in for a few gigs and finish the Stones' "No Filter" tour in the US after Charlie Watts' death. Now he has joined the world's longest-serving rock band on their European tour.
Image: Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP/picture alliance
15 images1 | 15
Without Charlie Watts as a calming influence among rock 'n' roll's long-serving band, the Rolling Stones would probably have not lasted as long as it has.
Watts' diplomatic tact often served to bring the hot-tempered, quarrelsome Mick Jagger and Keith Richards to their senses. It was due to his calming influence that the Rolling Stones were still together when he passed away and were even ready to hit the road again once the pandemic subsided.
As Richards once said: "There couldn't be a Rolling Stones without Charlie Watts."
The music world pays tribute
Musicians from all over the world have been quick to praise Watts' musical genius which inspired a generation.
Fellow British star Elton John said Watts was "the ultimate drummer" in a Facebook post.
He called him "the most stylish of men, and such brilliant company," while offering his condolences to his family and the members of his band.
Another great British musician, Paul McCartney called Watts "a lovely guy."
"A fantastic drummer, steady as a rock. Love you, Charlie, will always love you," Paul McCartney said in a video he posted on Twitter.
"RIP Charlie Watts, one of the greatest rock drummers ever and a real gentleman," tweeted Canadian rocker Bryan Adams.
Stars react to Charlie Watts' death
Elton John described him as "the ultimate drummer." Following the news of Watts' death, musicians paid tribute to the Rolling Stones' iconic band member.
Image: Ennio Leanza/dpa/picture alliance
The Rolling Stones
Following the death of Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts on Tuesday, the remaining members of the band posted different tributes on social media. Mick Jagger posted on Twitter and Instagram a photo of his bandmate smiling at the drums, but poignantly didn't add a caption revealing his feelings. Keith Richards also posted without comment a picture of a set of drums with a "closed" sign on them.
Image: Imago/Manngold/R. Keuenhof
Elton John
Elton John also reacted to the news of Charlie Watts' death by posting a picture of them together in the early 1970s. "A very sad day," he wrote on Instagram. "Charlie Watts was the ultimate drummer. The most stylish of men, and such brilliant company."
Image: www.imago-images.de
Paul McCartney
Even though the idea that the Beatles and the Rolling Stones were rivals is widespread, that is all a thing of the past. The former Beatles singer-songwriter was one of the first to post a video of condolences on social media. "He was a lovely guy. ... Charlie was a rock. A fantastic drummer, steady as a rock. Love you, Charlie, will always love you," McCartney said.
Image: Christopher Victorio/ImageSpace/ZUMA Wire/imago images
Ringo Starr
"#God bless Charlie Watts we're going to miss you man peace and love to the family," tweeted the former Beatles drummer, who also posted a few shared moments with the fellow musician. In one recent picture, they are portrayed smiling as they hold onto the same drumsticks. Another shot from the 1970s shows them in deep discussion at a party.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/F. Bizerra Jr.
Pete Townshend
Reacting to Watts' death, the Who singer Pete Townshend recalled in an Instagram post that "Charlie Watts wept at Keith Moon's funeral" — the Who's former drummer, who died in 1978 — "I wish I was capable of such tears today. Instead I just want to say goodbye. Not a rock drummer, a jazz drummer really, and that's why the Stones swung like the Basie band!! Such a lovely man."
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/J.G. Mabanglo
Brian Wilson
The Beach Boys' lead singer tweeted: "I feel terrible for Charlie's family. Charlie was a great drummer and I loved the Stones music, they made great records. Love & Mercy." While the Rolling Stones were recording "My Obsession" for the 1967 album "Between the Buttons," Wilson was invited down to their studio; it remains one of his favorite Stones songs.
Image: Imago/ZUMA Press
Patti Smith
On her Instagram account, "This is Patti Smith," the celebrated singer-songwriter and poet begins each caption with the words, "This is." She paid tribute to the Rolling Stones drummer by posting: "This is Charlie Watts. Mourned and beloved by all." As one fan commented, her words reflect Watts' style: "Short, sweet and deep."
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/S.C. Mitchell
Sheryl Crow
Sheryl Crow is a huge fan of the Rolling Stones, and she has appeared on stage with them many times. Following the news of Watt's death, she expressed her grief on Twitter: "A hero is gone. No words. A huge gaping hole in the universe."
Image: Getty Images for UNICEF/M. Coppola
Lenny Kravitz
The Stones also had a notable influence on Lenny Kravitz as a teenager. When he later became a rock star too, he had different collaborations with the legendary band. As he wrote on Twitter, listening to Watts' music remains the best tribute: "The beat of The Stones. There are no words, every groove has spoken for itself."
Image: picture-alliance/dpa
9 images1 | 9
How did he die?
Watts was sidelined from the Rolling Stones earlier this month after his doctors found a unspecified problem they wanted to rectify, according to press reports.
At the time, he said that "for once my timing has been a little off" and he would not be going on tour as originally planned.
"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," Watts added.
Charlie Watts continued to play drums until he passed awayImage: Carsten Rehder/dpa/picture alliance
Watts had received treatment for alcohol and heroin abuse, but said he had been able to leave those addiction problems behind. He also underwent treatment for throat cancer in 2004.
"We kindly request that the privacy of his family, band members and close friends is respected at this difficult time," his spokesman Doherty said while announcing the musician's death.