The Rolling Stones' Drummer Charlie Watts Passes Away at 80

Distinguished British rock'n'roll band Rolling Stones' drummer Charlie Watts passed away in London on Tuesday, 24 August.

(Photo Courtesy: Twitter)

Legendary British rock band The Rolling Stones' drummer Charlie Watts passed away in London on Tuesday, 24 August. He was 80 years old.

His publicist Bernard Doherty released a statement saying, "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," AFP reported.

One of the greatest drummers of his generation, Watts was also a cherished husband, father and grandfather.

Doherty added, "We kindly request that the privacy of his family, band members and close friends is respected at this difficult time."

Watts became part of the Stones' longtime foursome alongside Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood, anchoring the band's blues-rock sound from his drum kit for more than 50 years.

Musicians Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Elton John and others took to social media to share their memories of Watts and expressed condolences to his family and bandmates. "Charlie was a rock and a fantastic drummer. Steady as a rock", McCartney said in a video.

(With inputs from AFP.)