Surviving Rolling Stones Members Honor Charlie Watts On One Year Anniversary Of His Death

Charlie Watts, the longtime drummer of the Rolling Stones, passed away one year ago today at the age of 80.

The late drummer had been a founding member of the group, sitting behind the drum kit since the early 1960s. Watts' passing had been formally announced by a spokesperson for the band, according to our initial coverage of his death.

The spokesperson's statement revealed Watts had "died peacefully in a London hospital."

The statement also read, "Charlie was a cherished husband, father, and grandfather and also as a member of the Rolling Stones one of the greatest drummers of his generation."

Watts had been a touring member of the band up until the band was forced to press pause on touring due to the COVID-19 pandemic. His health had prevented him from joining the band once they had resumed touring.

Drumming duties for the tour's remainder were handled by Steve Jordan, a fixture in and around the Rolling Stones' camp for over three decades.

Jordan is the drummer for Rolling Stones guitarist, Keith Richards' project The X-Pensive Winos.

According to The Los Angeles Times' original report on Watts' passing, he had not missed a Rolling Stones show since 1963.

Our report also detailed Watts' passing happened shortly after he had undergone a "successful medical procedure," the specifics of which were not publicly shared at the time of publication.

Social media has played a large role in preserving Watts' memory over the last year.

The surviving members of The Rolling Stones were among those who wished Watts a happy birthday on June 2nd, which would have been the drummer's 81st birthday.

According to our birthday-themed coverage for Watts, his longtime bandmate Ronnie Wood had been present during Watts' last days and alluded to the publication that Watts had been feeling irritated by his hospital stay at the time.

"I could tell he was pretty tired and fed up with the whole deal," Wood told The Los Angeles Times, "He said 'I was really hoping to be out of here by now,' then after that, there was a complication or two and I wasn't allowed back. No one was,'' Wood added.

Wood, Richards, and Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger all shared tributes to their brother-in-rock and longtime bandmate.

Richards had posted a photo of a drum kit to Instagram on the day of Watts' death last year which featured a "closed for business" sign hanging on the riser.

The first anniversary of Watts' passing has not gone unacknowledged by members of the Rolling Stones.

Jagger, who recently delighted social media with his excitement over attending a Coldplay concert, shared a tribute to Watts on both his Instagram and Twitter accounts.

The video, which features a series of black-and-white and colored photos of Watts, is set to The Rolling Stones' 1974 track "Til The Next Goodbye."

It also includes a voice-over of Jagger reflecting on his friend's passing.

"I miss Charlie because, you know, he had a great sense of humor and we also were, outside of the band, we used to hang out quite a lot, and have interesting times," Jagger detailed, "We liked sports, we'd go to football, we'd go to cricket games, and we would have other interests apart from just music. But you know, of course, you know I really miss Charlie so much," he concluded, audibly touched.

Wood shared a black-and-white portrait of Watts on his Instagram, captioning it, "Charlie, missing you every single day. Shirley, Seraphina, and Charlotte, we hold you close in our hearts," he wrote, referencing Watts' wife, daughter, and granddaughter.

The streaming service EPIX is currently airing a brand new docuseries called "My Life As A Rolling Stone," rolling out new episodes every Sunday. The latest episode chronicles Watts' life and career as a Rolling Stone and features new interviews with the band.