Charlie Watts’s decision not to participate in the Rolling Stones’ 2021 tour marked a significant moment for the band.
His absence was due to health concerns, and it was the first time he would not join them on tour.
Watts passed away on August 24, 2021, a year after this announcement, leaving behind a legacy as one of rock’s most iconic drummers.
While the official cause of Charlie Watts’s death was never confirmed, Keith Richards mentioned in March 2022 that Watts had cancer.
His former bandmates—Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, and Bill Wyman—each paid tribute to him, reflecting on his profound impact on the Rolling Stones and his legacy in rock music.
“For once my timing has been a little off,” Watts said in a statement at the time.
“I am working hard to get fully fit but I have today accepted on 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 fans who have been holding tickets for this tour to be disappointed by another postponement or cancelation. I have therefore asked my great friend Steve Jordan to stand in for me.”
Charlie Watts’s death on August 24, 2021, marked the end of an era for the Rolling Stones. Despite a “completely successful” procedure being cited for his absence from the tour, the exact nature of his health issues remained private.
His passing was widely mourned, with tributes highlighting his influential drumming style.
Ringo Starr and Robbie Robertson were among those who praised Watts for his unique contribution to rock ‘n’ roll.
Watts’s legacy as a foundational member of the Rolling Stones and a defining drummer in the genre remains profound.
Guitarist Ronnie Wood recalled his final visit with Watts:
“We watched horse racing on TV and just shot the breeze,” he said. “I could tell he was pretty tired and fed up with the whole deal. He said, ‘I was really hoping to be out of here by now.’ Then after that, there was a complication or two and I wasn’t allowed back. No one was.”
After Charlie Watts’s death, there was initial uncertainty about whether the Rolling Stones would proceed with their rescheduled 2021 tour dates.
The band decided to continue, with Steve Jordan filling in as drummer.
The tour began with a private performance at Gillette Stadium, where Mick Jagger expressed the band’s deep sense of loss.
The official tour kicked off at the Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, marking the first tour in 59 years without Watts.
Despite his absence, Watts was honored with tributes in photos and videos displayed during the shows.
