The Rolling Stones’ Charlie Watts Dies At 80: What Was The Cause Of His Death?

Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts sadly passed away on August 24, 2021, at the age of 80.

Charlie Watts joined the Rolling Stones as the drummer in January 1963 and achieved international fame. He has appeared on all of the band’s studio albums alongside Jagger and Richards. Fans have often stressed how much the drummer has helped the Rolling Stones become one of the world’s greatest rock and roll bands.

As you may know, Watts was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2004, even though he had quit smoking years ago. He then received radiotherapy and recovered. Following his cancer’s remission, the Rolling Stones continued to work on their album ‘A Bigger Bang’ and released it one year later, on September 6, 2005. More recently, in August 2021, Watts underwent an unspecified medical procedure and missed the band’s No Filter Tour. Unfortunately, on August 24, Watts saddened his fans as he passed away.

Charlie Watts’ Cause Of Death Is Not Yet Known

On August 5, 2021, Rolling Stones announced that Watts will not be present in the future shows of their No Filter Tour. According to Rolling Stones’ Instagram post, Watts went under a medical procedure that was successful, but doctors said he needed to rest properly. Watts said in the statement that his health problem was untimely, but he accepted the advice of the experts. The drummer then revealed Steve Jordan will be his replacement, and Jordan considered it an honor.

Rolling Stones’ Instagram post read:

“A spokesman for Charlie Watts has confirmed that the Rolling Stones drummer is unlikely to be available for the resumption of The Rolling Stones USA No Filter Tour this fall.

The spokesman said: ‘Charlie has had a procedure which was completely successful, but I gather his doctors this week concluded that he now needs proper rest and recuperation. With rehearsals starting in a couple of weeks it’s very disappointing, to say the least, but it’s also fair to say no one saw this coming.’

Charlie said: ‘For once my timing has been a little off. I am working hard to get fully fit but I have today accepted the advice of the experts that this will take a while. After all the fans’ suffering caused by COVID, I really do not want the many RS fans who have been holding tickets for this Tour to be disappointed by another postponement or cancellation. I have therefore asked my great friend Steve Jordan to stand in for me.’

Steve Jordan said: ‘It is an absolute honor and a privilege to be Charlie’s understudy and I am looking forward to rehearsing with Mick, Keith, and Ronnie. No one will be happier than me to give up my seat on the drum-riser as soon as Charlie tells me he is good to go.'”

Following this unspecified medical treatment, the drummer died at the age of 80. According to Watts’ publicist, he passed away peacefully in a London hospital yesterday, on August 24. The statement also characterized Watts as one of the greatest drummers of his generation.

It was reported that Watts’ publicist said:

“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.

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.”

Watt’s unexpected passing has saddened the Stones fans and everyone in the music industry. His cause of death has not yet been officially announced. Rest in peace, Charlie Watts.