Charlie Watts, the longtime drummer of rock legends The Rolling Stones, has died on Tuesday at the age of 80. The news was confirmed in a statement released by Watt’s London publicist Bernard Doherty.
According to the statement, which was shared on Rolling Stones’ official social media accounts, Watts “died peacefully in a London hospital surrounded by his family.”
Music stars and other celebrities from all over the world paid tribute to Watts shortly after the news was confirmed. This included The Beatles’ Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, Chuck D of the Public Enemy, singer/songwriter Lenny Kravitz, and Sir Elton John.
Earlier in August, The Rolling Stones announced that Charlie Watts would miss the band’s upcoming No Filter Tour across the United States. At the time, the band revealed that Watts is forced to sit out the live shows after undergoing a medical procedure. No further details were shared.
Watts started his music career with the band Blues Incorporated before joining The Rolling Stones in 1963, one year after the band was formed. He went on to serve as their drummer for almost 60 years while appearing on every studio album the group has released. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards are the only other members of the band to do so as well.
Besides his work with The Rolling Stones, Watts released several solo and collaboration albums with instrumental music.
