Charlie Watts

Charlie Watts

1941-06-02 – 2021-08-24 (age 80) Bloomsbury, London, England, UK
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Biography

Charles Robert Watts (2 June 1941 – 24 August 2021) was an English musician who was the drummer of the Rolling Stones from 1963 until his death in 2021.

Originally trained as a graphic artist, Watts developed an interest in jazz at a young age and joined the band Blues Incorporated. He also started playing drums in London's rhythm and blues clubs, where he met future bandmates Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Brian Jones. In January 1963, he left Blues Incorporated and joined the Rolling Stones as drummer, while doubling as designer of their record sleeves and tour stages. Watts's first public appearance as a permanent member was in February 1963; he remained with the band for 58 years until his death, at which time he, Jagger and Richards were the only members of the band to have performed on every one of their studio albums.

Nicknamed "the Wembley Whammer" by Jagger, Watts cited jazz as a major influence on his drumming style. Aside from his career with the Rolling Stones, Watts toured with his own group, the Charlie Watts Quintet, and appeared in London at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club with the Charlie Watts Tentet.

In 1989, Watts was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Rolling Stones, and in 2004, he was inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame, also with the Rolling Stones. He has been ranked among the greatest drummers of all time.

Description above from the Wikipedia article Charlie Watts, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Photos

Known For

Shine a Light
Shine a Light

2008

as Self - The Rolling Stones Drums

Blue Ice
Blue Ice

1992

as Drummer

Sympathy for the Devil
One World: Together at Home
Amazing Grace
Amazing Grace

2018

as Self (archive footage)

Gimme Shelter
Gimme Shelter

1970

as Self - The Rolling Stones Member

The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus
Digital Dreams
Digital Dreams

1983

as Party Guest

Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute
Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute

1988

as Self [The Rolling Stones]

The Rolling Stones: Havana Moon
Beware of Mr. Baker
Chuck Leavell: The Tree Man
Cocksucker Blues
Cocksucker Blues

1972

as Self

Crossfire Hurricane
The Stones and Brian Jones
The Stones and Brian Jones

2024

as Self - Rolling Stones Drummer (voice)

The T.A.M.I. Show
The T.A.M.I. Show

1964

as Self - The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones: Live at the Max