'GREATEST' DRUMMER
Who was Charlie Watts and what was his cause of death?
SUPERSTAR drummer for the Rolling Stones achieved international success with the band over 60 years.
Charlie Watts died at the age of 80 in 2021 after an emergency operation, leaving his legacy and fortune to his family.
Who is Charlie Watts?
Wembley Whammer, Charlie Watts was born on June 2, 1941 in London, England.
He grew up in Wembley and became life-long friends with jazz bass player Dave Green.
Charlie was given his first drum kit in 1955 and practised drumming while growing his jazz record collection.
The young rocker rose to fame when he joined the Rolling Stones in 1963.
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As a band they toured the world, fronted by Mick Jagger, and produced 30 studio albums, despite tensions within the group.
The Rolling Stones are the only artist to top the UK Album Charts in six different decades and are tied for the second most Number 1 albums on the Official UK Chart, surpassed only by the Beatles.
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Multi-talented Charlie also designed the band's record sleeves and tour stages.
He is the only band member to have performed on every one of the band's albums and in every single live concert up until 2019.
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In 1989, Charlie and the band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Charlie was inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame with the Rolling Stones in 2004 and then to the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame two years later.
The Wembley Whammer is regarded as one of the greatest drummers in rock history.
Outside of his stardom, he married Shirley Anne Shepherd in 1964, who he had met before his meteoric rise to fame.
Together they had one child - a girl named Seraphina, born March 1968.
Charlie has one granddaughter named Charlotte but remained private about his personal life during his career.
The couple lived in Devon and ran a stud farm when Charlie wasn't touring.
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What was his cause of death?
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On August 24, 2021, drumming legend Charlie Watts passed away, as announced by his publicist.
It was revealed by bandmate Keith Richards in March 2022 that the rock icon had been battling throat cancer since 2004, which eventually took his life.
At the time the cause of death was not confirmed but it was known he had been for surgery for an unspecified medical issue.
In early August 2021, the band had replaced him with Steve Jordan for their US tour as he had to pull out.
At the time, bandmate Ronnie Wood insisted the planned shows would go on with or without Watts.
Charlie's publicist confirmed the rock and roll legend died peacefully at his home surrounded by his family.
His said in a statement: "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.
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"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.
"We kindly request that the privacy of his family, band members and close friends is respected at this difficult time."
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