Entertainment

In Pictures: Remembering Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts

The drummer died aged 80.
The drummer died aged 80. The drummer died aged 80.

The Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts has died at the age of 80, his publicist has said.

The musician, who marked his 80th birthday in June, had been a member of the rock group since 1963.

Charlie Watts death
Charlie Watts death The Rolling Stones during their gig at the Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh (Jane Barlow/PA)
Charlie Watts death
Charlie Watts death The Rolling Stones drummer at LWT studios in 1968 (PA)

Charles Robert Watts was born on June 2 1941 and grew up in Wembley, north-west London.

His parents gave him his first drum kit in 1955, allowing him to play along to his favourite jazz records, which included those by Duke Ellington and Charlie Parker.

By the age of 16, he was drumming in jazz groups and a regular on the London club scene, which was then focused on the parallel worlds of jazz and blues rock.

Music – Rock – Rolling Stones – London
Music – Rock – Rolling Stones – London The Rolling Stones during a rehearsal (PA)
Charlie Watts death
Charlie Watts death Charlie Watts in 1964 (PA)
Music – The Rolling Stones – 1964
Music – The Rolling Stones – 1964 A Stonehenge setting for the group (PA)

In 2016, Watts was ranked 12th in Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 100 greatest drummers of all time.

Charlie Watts death
Charlie Watts death Charlie Watts attending a One Day International between Scotland v England (Jane Barlow/PA)
Charlie Watts death
Charlie Watts death The Rolling Stones during a press conference for their World Tour 2002/2003 (PA)
Charlie Watts death
Charlie Watts death The Rolling Stones performing on the Pyramid Stage during the Glastonbury 2013 Festival (Anthony Delvin/PA)