Charlie Watts, drummer for legendary act The Rolling Stones since 1963, died on Tuesday in London. The news was confirmed by a spokesperson, a cause of death was not provided. He was 80.
Watts was born in Bloomsbury, London in 1941. Watts' love for music was prevalent early in life, deepened by his childhood friend and future jazz bassist Dave Green who spurred each other on with their mutual love of jazz. Watts began drumming at age 13, playing along to his extensive jazz collection. After graduating from Harrow Art School in 1960, Watts began a career as a graphic designer working with advertising companies while drumming with friends’ bands on the side.
In 1961 Watts joined the group Blues Incorporated, his first foray into rhythm and blues performance. In the group, Watts played alongside guitarist Brian Jones who in 1962 would introduce him to the members of The Rolling Stones. With the departure of the Stones’ original drummer Tony Chapman, the group invited Watts to join their band. Watts would become an official member in 1963 and would play in the band for the rest of his life.
Watts' contributions to the Stones were numerous, spanning from the group’s self-titled debut record in 1964 through their most recent release – 2016’s Blue & Lonesome. Throughout the span of their career, the band has performed over 2,000 concerts across the world and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989. Watts himself was inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 2006 and received three Grammy Awards across his tenure with the Rolling Stones. On August 5, it was reported that Watts would not join the band on their upcoming No Filter tour due to rehabilitation from surgery.
Encapsulating Watts’ contribution to modern rock and roll is near impossible. As one of the longest-running stadium rock acts in history, The Rolling Stones have inspired generations of artists that followed them with Watts frequently cited as one of the best drummers in rock music. Join us in remembering his iconic work with some of our favorite Rolling Stones songs below.
