Another music legend has gone to rock ‘n roll heaven.
Announced today, longtime Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts has passed away this morning in London. He was 80 years old.
No cause of death was released, but according to a statement from a Rolling Stones spokesperson he was surrounded by family:
“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.
Charlie was a cherished husband, father and grandfather and also a member of the Rolling Stones one of the greatest drummers of his generation.
We kindly request that the privacy of his family, band members and close friends is respected at this difficult time.”
Watts joined the band in 1963, prior to the release of their first single later that year. Along with Keith Richards and Mick Jagger, he’s the only member of the band to be featured on every studio album the band has ever recorded.
Watts was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2004, however he was treated and the cancer went into remission. Earlier this month it was announced that Watts was going to step down from touring on the rest of the No Filter Tour while he recovered from a medical procedure.
RIP Charlie.
