Rockers React to the Death of Rolling Stones Drummer Charlie Watts
A true rock 'n' roll legend has died, as the news was revealed Tuesday (Aug. 24) that Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts had passed at the age of 80.
"It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Charlie Watts," a statement issued by his publicist revealed, while asking for privacy for his family and bandmates. "He passed away peacefully in a London hospital earlier today surrounded by his family."
The musician originally trained as a graphic artist before fully diving into music. He began by playing local clubs in London, where he eventually met Brian Jones, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. He would join their band the Rolling Stones as a drummer in 1963 while also designing their album sleeves and tour stages.
The Rolling Stones impact on the world of rock has been immense, with Watts being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the band in 1989. The group have also won three Grammy Awards and are Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winners as well.
In addition to the Rolling Stones, he continued to pursue his love of jazz with a number of records billed under groups baring his name.
Earlier this month, it was revealed that Watts had decided to sit out the Rolling Stones' current touring while recovering from heart surgery.
As you might expect, the death of Charlie Watts drew quite a bit of reaction and below you can see many in the rock and metal community offering their thoughts on the death of Charlie Watts.
Ringo Starr (The Beatles)
Darryl Jones (Rolling Stones Bassist)
Elton John
Paul McCartney (Beatles)
Brian Wilson (Beach Boys)
David Coverdale (Deep Purple / Whitesnake)
The Who
https://twitter.com/TheWho/status/1430212377509777416
Paul Stanley (KISS)
Charlie Benante (Anthrax)
Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins)
Rex Brown (Pantera)
Roy Mayorga (Stone Sour)
Rob Zombie
Joe Bonamassa
Jonny Greenwood (Radiohead)
Todd Kerns (Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators)
J Mascis (Dinosaur Jr.)
Living Colour
Saxon
Earache Records
Nathan James (Inglorious)
Nile Rodgers
Michael McKean (Spinal Tap)
Questlove
Riki Rachtman
Aaron Pauley (Of Mice & Men)
Gus G.
Chris Holmes
Tom Morello
KISS
Mikkey Dee (Scorpions)
Brad Wilk (Rage Against the Machine)
Mike Inez (Alice in Chains)
Liam Gallagher
Alex Skolnick (Testament)
Garbage
Shavo Odadjian (System of a Down)
Susannah Hoffs (Bangles)
Robbie Robertson (The Band)
Stephen Stills (Crosby, Stills & Nash)
Shinedown
Death
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
Foghat
Perry Farrell (Jane’s Addiction)
Lenny Kravitz
John Fogerty
Abbey Road Studios
Joe Elliott (Def Leppard)
Sam Carter (Architects)
Ben Thatcher (Royal Blood)
George Thorogood & the Destroyers
Jeff Scott Soto (Sons of Apollo)
Stewart Copeland (The Police)
Mike Portnoy (Sons of Apollo)
Scorpions
Nickelback
John Densmore (The Doors)
Mike McCready (Pearl Jam)
Duran Duran
Max Weinberg (Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band)
Des Rocs
Fran Healy (Travis)
Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath)
Axl Rose (Guns N’ Roses)
Slash (Guns N’ Roses)
Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society)
Chuck D. (Public Enemy / Prophets of Rage)
The Black Keys
Buddy Guy
The Cult
Bill Gibson (Huey Lewis and the News)
Carl Palmer (Emerson Lake & Palmer)
Orianthi
Neal Schon (Journey)
Richie Kotzen (Winery Dogs)