In Memoriam
Charlie Watts
June 2, 1941 – August 24, 2021 · aged 80
Rock and Roll · Blues Rock · Jazz
Charles Robert Watts was the elegant, unshakeable heartbeat of The Rolling Stones for nearly six decades. Born in London in 1941, Watts was fundamentally a jazz drummer who happened to find himself in the world's greatest rock and roll band. While Mick Jagger and Keith Richards provided the flamboyant frontman energy and the rebellious guitar riffs, Watts provided the stoic, swinging foundation. His unique drumming style, characterized by his decision to not hit the hi-hat on the snare beat, gave the Stones their signature, rolling groove on tracks like 'Honky Tonk Women' and 'Brown Sugar.' Famously avoiding the chaotic rock star lifestyle, he remained quietly devoted to his wife of 57 years and his beloved jazz side projects. Never flashy but absolutely indispensable, Watts passed away peacefully in a London hospital on August 24, 2021, at the age of 80. His steady rhythm was the anchor that kept the Stones rolling.
Milestones
Paint It Black, Gimme Shelter, Sympathy for the Devil
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