Charlie Watts had one request for The Rolling Stones shortly before his death.
Watts was drummer for the legendary rock outfit from January 1963 until his death on August 24 at the age of 80. Though Watts had stepped back from the band’s 2021 tour due to a heart surgery, his replacement, Steve Jordan, stepped in and has been with the band ever since. Ronnie Wood shared Watts’ request for the rest of the members in an interview to promote Hackney Diamonds, the first album from The Rolling Stones not to feature Watts on percussion. Jordan performed drums on all tracks, except for Mess It Up, Live By the Sword and Rolling Stones Blues. Asked whether Watts’ presence was “felt in the studio,” Wood confirmed he felt the influence of the veteran drummer “all the time”.
He said: “Oh yeah, all the time. I was the last one to see Charlie in the hospital in London. Anyway, to cut a long story short, he said ‘I want to get out of this bloody place but until I do, will you please make sure that Steve Jordan carries the flag for me and then when I get better I’ll come and join you, but please let Steve Jordan play in my place.'”
Wood and the rest of the band have made good on Watts’ final wish, with Jordan maintaining his spot on drums in shows and recordings released after Watts’ death. Wood added: “‘Don’t worry about that we’ve got you covered Charlie.’ He said ‘Alright now I can watch Frankie Dettori win the next race,’ at York, or wherever.
Fans have since praised The Rolling Stones for granting Watts’ wish for the band, but also praised Jordan as the drummer who replaced Watts. One user wrote: “Ronnie is a good person and an underrated fantastic guitar player. He always plays for the tune.
“Charlie was right when he recommended Jordan. He did not expect he would not return to play with his friends anymore. Love these guys, they have been the soundtrack of my entire life.”
Another wrote: “Ronnie is so sweet, and Charlie was such a class act and kind man. I can see how those two got on very well. Must have been tough in that hospital room during that last meeting, but they both sounded hopeful here.”
Tributes to Watts were made by his fellow band members, as well as The Beatles legends Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. Wings frontman McCartney said at the time of Watts’ death: “So sad to hear about Charlie Watts, The Stones drummer, dying. He’s a lovely guy and 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. A fantastic drummer. Steady as a rock. Anyway, so, love you Charlie, I always loved you, beautiful man. Great condolences and sympathies to his family.”
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