A true rock ‘n’ roll legend has died, as the news was revealed Tuesday (Aug. 24) that Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts had passed at the age of 80.
“It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Charlie Watts,” a statement issued by his publicist revealed, while asking for privacy for his family and bandmates. “He passed away peacefully in a London hospital earlier today surrounded by his family.”
The musician originally trained as a graphic artist before fully diving into music. He began by playing local clubs in London, where he eventually met Brian Jones, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. He would join their band the Rolling Stones as a drummer in 1963 while also designing their album sleeves and tour stages.
The Rolling Stones impact on the world of rock has been immense, with Watts being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the band in 1989. The group have also won three Grammy Awards and are Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winners as well.
In addition to the Rolling Stones, he continued to pursue his love of jazz with a number of records billed under groups baring his name.
Earlier this month, it was revealed that Watts had decided to sit out the Rolling Stones’ current touring while recovering from heart surgery.
As you might expect, the death of Charlie Watts drew quite a bit of reaction and below you can see many in the rock and metal community offering their thoughts on the death of Charlie Watts.
Ringo Starr (The Beatles)
Elton John
David Coverdale (Deep Purple / Whitesnake)
The Who
https://twitter.com/TheWho/status/1430212377509777416
Paul Stanley (KISS)
Charlie Benante (Anthrax)
Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins)
Rex Brown (Pantera)
Roy Mayorga (Stone Sour)
Rob Zombie
Joe Bonamassa
Jonny Greenwood (Radiohead)
Todd Kerns (Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators)
J Mascis (Dinosaur Jr.)
Living Colour
Saxon
Earache Records
Nathan James (Inglorious)
Nile Rodgers
Michael McKean (Spinal Tap)
Questlove
Riki Rachtman
https://twitter.com/RikiRachtman/status/1430210319696138251
Aaron Pauley (Of Mice & Men)
https://twitter.com/aaronpauley/status/1430215334955417608
Gus G.
https://twitter.com/gusgofficial/status/1430215339770630146
Chris Holmes
Tom Morello
https://twitter.com/tmorello/status/1430217136954175489
KISS
https://twitter.com/kiss/status/1430216500997246976
Mikkey Dee (Scorpions)
https://twitter.com/themikkeydee/status/1430216199510630404
Brad Wilk (Rage Against the Machine)
Mike Inez (Alice in Chains)
Liam Gallagher
Alex Skolnick (Testament)
Garbage
Shavo Odadjian (System of a Down)
Susannah Hoffs (Bangles)
Robbie Robertson (The Band)
Stephen Stills (Crosby, Stills & Nash)
Shinedown
Death
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
Foghat
https://www.facebook.com/Foghat/posts/381380860021170
Rockers We’ve Lost in 2021
R.I.P. to the rockers who died in 2021.