LONDON: Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts, widely regarded as one of the coolest men in rock, a jazz enthusiast and snappy dresser during 60 years with the band, died on Tuesday. He was 80 years old.

“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,” a spokesperson for his family said.

“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.”

Among the first British bands to properly break the American market and a symbol of 1960s London, the Rolling Stones lineup of Watts, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones and Bill Wyman produced an extensive string of major hit records. The Stones also went on to break records with multimillion-pound grossing global tours that continue to this day.

Watts played drums on all of the group’s 30 albums and on every tour, until he pulled out of the 13-date “No Filter” US tour due to start next month after an emergency medical procedure.

“God bless Charlie Watts, we’re going to miss you man, peace and love to the family, Ringo,” former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr tweeted.

Watts was born in 1941 during World War Two and grew up in the Wembley area of north-west London, attending Harrow school of Art before starting work as a graphic artist with an advertising agency.

Unlike his bandmates, Watts had been in a successful group before agreeing to join the Rolling Stones in 1963. He married Shirley Ann Shepherd in 1964 and they remained together until his death _ the first regular member of the band to pass away since Jones in 1969.

While holding down the day job, Watts played in the evenings with Blues Incorporated led by Alexis Korner, alongside future Cream bassist Jack Bruce. He was replaced by future Cream drummer Ginger Baker when he left.

He played his first gig with the Stones at the Ealing Blues Club in west London with the six-piece band that included pianist Ian Stewart, Wyman on bass and Jones on guitar.

Watts left the hell-raising that defined the Stones in the 1960s and 1970s to the other members, but provided the heartbeat of the band, and with Wyman was considered one of the great rock rhythm sections.

“Charlie Watts was the ultimate drummer,” Elton John posted on Twitter, calling this a very sad day. “The most stylish of men, and such brilliant company. My deepest condolences to Shirley, Seraphina and Charlotte. And of course, The Rolling Stones,” he added, mentioning Watts wife, daughter and granddaughter.

Away from the Rolling Stones, Watts found the time to play jazz with several groups, including a 32-piece band, the Charlie Watts Orchestra, as well as to work with pianist Stewart in the band Rocket 88 during the 1980s.

Published in Dawn, August 25th, 2021