Charlie Watts, Rolling Stones drummer, passed away at the age of 80. In a statement to PA Media, his publicist Bernard Doherty said:
"It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Charlie Watts. He passed away peacefully in a London hospital early today surrounded by his family. Charlie was a loving husband, father and grandfather and also, as a member of "The Rolling Stones, one of the greatest drummers of his generation."
Earlier this month, it was announced that Watts would miss the group's next tournament in the US as he was recovering from an unspecified medical procedure.
With his attitude, knowledge of jazz and ability to make songs memorable, Watts is considered one of the greatest - and most stylish - drummers of all time.
Born in 1941, Watts grew up in Wembley, north-west London, and later on the outskirts of Kingsbury. His first musical love was American jazz. He later attended art school and became a graphic designer after graduation, while playing with local bands.
In 1962 he joined the Blues Incorporated where he also met vocalist Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards. The latter two formed their own band later, the Rolling Stones, which Watts joined in 1963.
Ndikimi i tij te Rolling Stones shtrihej përtej baterisë. Ai punoi me Jagger në modelet skenike gjithnjë e më spektakolare për turnetë e grupit. Ai gjithashtu siguroi ilustrime për kopertinën e pasme të albumit të mirënjohur të vitit 1967, “Beteen the Buttons” dhe pa dashje i vendosi titullin. Kur ai pyeti menaxherin e Stones Andrew Oldham se si do të quhej albumi, Oldham u përgjigj “Between the Buttons” që do të thotë i pavendosur. Watts mendoi se "Between the Buttons” ishte emri dhe e përfshiu atë në veprat e tij të artit.
Sipas vlerësimit të kritikut të muzikës Robert Christgau, Watts ishte "bateristi më i madh i muzikës rock". Në vitin 2016, ai u rendit i 12-ti në listën e "100 bateristëve më të mëdhenj të të gjitha kohërave" të Rolling Stone.
Në 2004, ai u diagnostikua me kancer në fyt, por u shërua pas radioterapisë.
Unlike the romantic stories of the band mates, Watts was steadfast in personal life: he married his wife Shirley Ann Shepherd in 1964, and they stayed together until his death. He left behind a daughter, Seraphina.
