Keith Urban was among the countless fans mourning the loss of Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts upon news of his death yesterday (Tuesday, August 24th). He posted a photo of himself with Watts along with a tribute on social media calling him “the heart beat of one of the greatest bands of all time.”
Urban wrote, “I’m shocked and truly saddened at just now hearing the news that we lost the ‘gentleman soul of rock and roll,’ the queen bee of the hive that is The Rolling Stones, the original, Charlie Watts. The heart beat of one of the greatest bands of all time, a truly one of a kind musician who’s influence is unquantifiable AND will continue to be for as long as there are musicians who are working to shed all that is not needed, to get to THE ESSENCE.”
He continued, “I didn’t even properly know you, but I love you Charlie, and I thank you for all that you gave us. I’m so grateful that through countless recordings we will always be not only hearing you, but FEELING you!”
Watts died in a London hospital at the age of 80. He recently bowed out of the Stones' 2021 tour due to an undisclosed health issue, according to the AP.