Mick Jagger is paying respect to Charlie Watts on the occasion of his demise one year ago.
In a video posted to social media on Wednesday, Jagger honored the late Rolling Stones drummer with a voiceover, “Until the Next Goodbye” by the venerable rock band from 1974, and a slideshow of Watts photos.
Jagger, who is 79 years old, recalled Watts as having a great sense of humor. On August 24, 2021, Watts passed away at the age of 80 following an unspecified illness. “You know, outside of the band, we used to spend a lot of time hanging around and having fun. We were sports mad. We enjoyed activities besides music; we went to cricket and sports events.
I’m thinking of you today, Charlie,” Jagger said in the post.
Earlier past summer, The Rolling Stones finished their 60th anniversary tour. The No Filter Tour, which finished last year, was followed by the second series of performances that went on without Watts on the drums.
On both tours, Steve Jordan filled in as the drummer. Veteran drummer Don McAulay made it a point to place his drum key where Watts’ once did.
Don McAulay, who served as Charlie Watt’s drum technician for ten years, honors Charlie on his birthday by placing his drum key in the same location as Charlie usually did before each performance. A happy birthday to Charlie! You are missed.”A McAulay video and a statement from the band were shared on Twitter.
The remaining members of the Stones have spoken openly about how difficult it was to lose Watts, and during their first performance without him in September 2021, Jagger even raised a drink to the drummer on stage.
When Rolling Stone interviewed him, the vocalist said, “The thing he provided was this amazing feeling of swing and swerve that most bands think they could have.We have had some really enjoyable discussions over the past few years regarding how everything with the band came about. We’ve all lost a lot because of it. It’s very challenging.
On CBS Sunday Morning in March 2021, Richards claimed that the rockers had been “very shocked” by Watts’ passing.
He had already fought cancer and won that battle a year or two earlier. He was simply smacked twice quickly, according to Richards. “Pray for his soul.”
Fortunately for fans, Watts’ music continues to be produced, as The Stones disclosed to the Los Angeles Times in October 2021 that they had recorded new music with Watts on drums prior to his passing.
Simply put, Richards added, “Charlie Watts isn’t finished with us yet.”
