Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts dies at age 80

Charlie Watts, the Rolling Stones’ drummer since the legendary rock group formed, has died at age 80, according to his London publicist, Bernard Doherty. 

Doherty announced in a statement Tuesday morning: "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." The statement was later shared by the Stones' official Twitter account.

pic.twitter.com/wi6333F6QF

— The Rolling Stones (@RollingStones) August 24, 2021

The news comes after Watts underwent an undisclosed medical procedure earlier this month. At that time, a spokesperson for the band said the procedure had been “completely successful,” but it was unlikely that Watts would participate in the Stones’ rescheduled, 13-date “No Filter” fall U.S. tour because he needed “proper rest and recuperation.”

Charles Robert “Charlie” Watts was born in Bloomsbury, London, on June 2, 1941, and he started drumming around age 13 after he was inspired by a recording of Chico Hamilton playing Gerry Mulligan. His first drum was actually a banjo head that he played with brushes; in 1955, his parents bought him his first real drum kit, and he practiced by playing along to his beloved Charlie Parker and Duke Ellington records, never taking actual lessons. Three years later, Watts began his professional musical career in a jazz band called the Jo Jones All Stars.

In 1961, Watts joined Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated, and a year later he met his future Stones bandmates, Brian Jones, Ian Stewart, Mick Jagger, and Keith Richards, in the London blues scene. In January 1963, Watts officially joined the Rolling Stones, and his swinging, deceptively laid-back style became as integral to the Stones’ sound as Jagger’s swagger and or Richards’s riffs. 

https://youtube.com/watch?v=7PZug4854sI%3Frel%3D0

Rob Wallis of drumming video series Hudson Music once said, “Charlie’s got rock-solid time. His playing swings and his shuffles are great because of his comfort with jazz-ride patterns. Without him, the Stones would be a completely different-sounding band with a very different feel,” while Later … With Jools Holland drummer Steve White said “Like all that generation of great British drummers — Ginger, Ringo, Moonie, Mitch — Charlie’s playing is effortless and swinging, musical and cool. No one else sounds like him.” Lenny Kaye called Watts "the backbone of the Rolling Stones," while Blondie's Clem Burke stated, "Charlie Watts lays it down, and the others follow. He is the Law."

“That's why the Rolling Stones was a more interesting band than bands like Freddie and the Dreamers, Herman's Hermits, the Searchers or the Hollies,” Watts himself explained in the book According to the Rolling Stones. "We had a much broader, much deeper, musical background."

In a 2008 interview with If It Ain’t Got That Swing, Watt discussed his distinctive, unfussy style: “I was brought up on the theory that the drummer is an accompanist. I don’t like drum solos. I admire some people that do them, but generally I prefer drummers playing with the band. The challenge with rock 'n' roll is the regularity of it. My thing is to make it a dance sound; it should swing and bounce.”

https://youtube.com/watch?v=CL614PU-EQE%3Frel%3D0

Declared “rock's greatest drummer” by esteemed music critic Robert Christgau, Watts was voted into Modern Drummer magazine’s Hall of Fame in 2006 (joining other legends like Ringo Starr, Keith Moon, and Buddy Rich) and was named the 12th greatest drummer of all time by Rolling Stone. The perfect foil to his Glimmer Twins bandmates, he was known as an anti-rock star of sorts, preferring a private, family-man existence aside from a brief dalliance with drugs in the '80s that he described as a mid-life crisis. He was married to his wife Shirley Ann Shepherd (whom he met at his first Alexis Korner rehearsal in 1961) for 57 years.

Watts also enjoyed a jazz-oriented solo career outside of the Stones, playing alongside longtime Stones pianist Stewart in the band Rocket 88, releasing several albums with his Charlie Watts Quintet and the 32-piece Charlie Watts Orchestra, and performing at London’s famous Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club with his big band, Charlie Watts & the Tentet. In 2000, he collaborated with another drumming great, Jim Keltner, on the surprisingly electronica-leaning Charlie Watts/Jim Keltner Project.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=fOH6IlZEa-w%3Frel%3D0

Watts is survived by his wife, Shirley Ann Sherpherd; his daughter, Seraphina; his granddaughter, Charlotte; and his step-grandson, Dylan. Upon hearing of this tragic news, famous admirers and peers of Watts took to social media to pay tribute:

Paul on Charlie Watts ❤️ pic.twitter.com/rn2elK6cFE

— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) August 24, 2021

#God bless Charlie Watts we’re going to miss you man peace and love to the family Ringo 😎✌️🌟❤️🌈🎶☮️ pic.twitter.com/3tSFg7EMQG

— #RingoStarr (@ringostarrmusic) August 24, 2021

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#RIPpic.twitter.com/9rjSSgioZL

— Elton John (@eltonofficial) August 24, 2021

Charlie Watts, the drummer and backbeat of The Rolling Stones, passed away today at age 80.

He is universally remembered as one of the greatest drummers of all time and his unique drumming style was essential to the Stones’ iconic sound.

Rest in Peace, Charlie. pic.twitter.com/NVUZGLAvw9

— The Beatles (@BeatlesEarth) August 24, 2021

pic.twitter.com/BZnd69KOgA

— The Who (@TheWho) August 24, 2021

Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts dies aged 80 https://t.co/LUVShR1yaM via @YahooNews AWFUL NEWS. One of the true timeless icons and the backbone of the Stones. Hard to fathom the loss. So very sad.

— Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) August 24, 2021

A hero is gone. No words. A huge gaping hole in the universe.

RIP Charlie Watts. https://t.co/kLSaIF9JKn

— Sheryl Crow (@SherylCrow) August 24, 2021

In total shock Charlie Watts was a lovely guy. He will be sorely missed. Deepest sympathy to his wife, the band and all his family and friends. 1/2 #charliewatts@RollingStones

— Dave Davies (@davedavieskinks) August 24, 2021

RIP Charlie Watts pic.twitter.com/wOaM05p7Fe

— William Patrick Corgan (@Billy) August 24, 2021

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

So sad to hear Charlie Watts is gone. I learned how to play drums rocking out to Stones albums. RIP Charlie!

— Garbage (@garbage) August 24, 2021

R.I.P. Charlie Watts https://t.co/xIeebKPCUq

— Carole King (@Carole_King) August 24, 2021

RIP Charlie Watts, one of the greatest rock drummers ever and a real gentleman. Condolences to his family and the band. #charliewatts#RollingStones

— Bryan Adams (@bryanadams) August 24, 2021

RIP Charlie Watts 🌘😞💙 master of elegant simplicity. (Thx @bradwood3 for the CW tutorials and lineage in my songs.) By thy grooves, we knew ye 💔 https://t.co/5iaZ2oSm8T

— Liz Phair (@PhizLair) August 24, 2021

All of my hi hat technique I owe to Charlie . Thank you and RIP Charlie Watts.

— Lol Tolhurst (@LolTolhurst) August 24, 2021

Wow. This hurts. What a legend. What a master. What a gentleman. You had a good run. 80yrs my dude. This Stone gathered no moss. Rest easy, Charlie. #rollingstones#charliewatts#ripcharliewattshttps://t.co/zJoY1xDDlR

— 🇺🇸Butch Walker🇺🇸 (@butchwalker) August 24, 2021

So well said. #RIP Charlie Watts. https://t.co/pE3hqzRcXg

— Ben Stiller (@RedHourBen) August 24, 2021

Peace and love, Charlie Watts. 💔 pic.twitter.com/SSc7s3Qf9w

— Susanna Hoffs (@SusannaHoffs) August 24, 2021

thank you Charlie Watts 💔 pic.twitter.com/bKW1CwVGxD

— Margo Price (@MissMargoPrice) August 24, 2021

What a sad one. RIP Charlie Watts, what a legend #charliewattspic.twitter.com/0UaWDmGTau

— KT Tunstall (@KTTunstall) August 24, 2021

Charlie’s drumming is powerful and unique. His approach is entirely his own and helped shape the sound of rock and roll. Blessings Charlie Watts.

— Robbie Robertson (@r0bbier0berts0n) August 24, 2021

RIP CHARLIE WATTS

— Liam Gallagher (@liamgallagher) August 24, 2021

We just lost another Great one, Mr. Charlie Watts! Prayer going out & up for his family & friends. Details here:https://t.co/44axXfEpgD (Thxs Charlie for ur Gifts to this world. R.I.P.🙏🙏🙏 Bootsy baby!!!🤘 @RollingStones@MickJagger@officialKeef

— Bootsy Collins (@Bootsy_Collins) August 24, 2021

Rock n roll would not be rock n roll without the rhythm, the style, the VIBE of this incredible musician. Rest In Peace #CharlieWatts, one of the greatest and most important architects of the music we love. pic.twitter.com/xEfzaSLCba

— Tom Morello (@tmorello) August 24, 2021

Charlie Watts, the Rolling Stones Drummer and Inimitable Backbone, Dead at 80 https://t.co/Bp0I6Dhojj via @RollingStone

— Nancy Sinatra (@NancySinatra) August 24, 2021

Read more from Yahoo Entertainment:

  • Charlie Watts’s awesome air-drumming and other ‘One World: Together at Home’ highlights

  • Bill Wyman remembers 'absolutely brilliant’ Rolling Stones bandmate Brian Jones, 50 years later

  • Jagger, Richards talk 'Some Girls' 40th anniversary: 'Punk rock was a kick up our ass'

  • ZZ Top bassist and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Dusty Hill dead at 72

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