Mick Jagger, Keith Richards Pay Tribute After Rolling Stones Drummer Charlie Watts Dies Aged 80

Mick Jagger and Keith Richards have paid tribute to their bandmate Charlie Watts, following the death of the Rolling Stones drummer on Tuesday (Aug 24), at the age of 80.

Singer Mick Jagger, 78, simply posted a photograph of Charlie smiling while seated behind a drum kit, with no captions, while guitarist Keith Richards, 77, shared a picture of a set of drums with a "closed" sign on them.

Charlie joined The Rolling Stones in 1963 and was part of the band’s first stable line-up, which also included Mick, Keith, Bill Wyman, and Brian Jones. Ronnie Wood, who joined the band in 1975, paid tribute by sharing a photo of them stood side-by-side. "I love you my fellow Gemini~ I will dearly miss you ~you are the best [prayer, heart and sunshine emojis] (sic)", he wrote on Twitter.

Elton wrote on Twitter: “A very sad day. Charlie Watts was the ultimate drummer. The most stylish of men, and such brilliant company. My deepest condolences to Shirley, Seraphina and Charlotte. And of course, The Rolling Stones. (sic)”

He said: “So sad to hear about Charlie Watts, the Stones drummer, dying. He was a lovely guy. I knew he was ill, but I didn’t know he was this ill. Lots of love to his family, his wife and kids, and his extended family.

“Condolences to the Stones, this is a huge blow to them because Charlie was a rock and a fantastic drummer.

“Love you Charlie, I always loved you. Beautiful man, and great condolences and sympathies to his family.”

It read: "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."

Thank you for the rock n' roll memories, Charlie.

Photo: Nancy Kaszerman/ZUMAPRESS.com/TPG News/Click Photos