Tributes have poured in from the popular music pantheon at the news of legendary Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts’ death in London this week.
Watts was 80.
Bandmates Sir Mick Jagger and Keith Richards were among those who paid tribute to the drummer.
According to the BBC, Watts had been a member of the Stones since January 1963, when he joined Sir Mick, Keith Richards and Brian Jones in their fledgling group.
Watts helped them become, with the Beatles, one of the bands who took rock ‘n’ roll to the masses in the 1960s with classics such as (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction, Jumpin’ Jack Flash, Get Off My Cloud and Sympathy for the Devil.
Beatles Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Ringo Starr were among other stars from the world of rock to remember Watts.
Sir Paul described Watts as ‘a lovely guy’ and ‘a fantastic drummer’. Sir Ringo said on Twitter: ‘God bless Charlie Watts we’re going to miss you man’.
Sir Elton John wrote on Twitter: ‘A very sad day. Charlie Watts was the ultimate drummer. The most stylish of men, and such brilliant company.’
Other fellow drummers paid homage, with The Police’s Stewart Copeland telling BBC Radio 5 Live that Watts had a ‘unique rhythmic personality’ that set him apart.
The Doors’ John Densmore remembered him on Twitter as ‘an early mentor, a fellow jazz fan’.
Also paying tribute, The Who frontman Roger Daltrey said Watts was the ‘perfect gentleman, as sharp in his manner of dress as he was on the drums’.
Folk singer Joan Baez remembered him as ‘a prince among thieves’ and ‘a gentleman through and through’.
[Image: Poiseon Bild & https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14925701]