Charlie Watts, one of the premier drummers of rock & roll history, who played with The Rolling Stones for more than 50 years, died in London Tuesday. He was 80.

The band's statement reads: “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 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.”

Watts had recently announced that he was recuperating from surgery and would not join the band on their upcoming U.S. tour.

A student of jazz drummers, he was revered for his steadiness and energy, as demonstrated on such beat-driven classics as “Get Off of My Cloud” and “Honky Tonk Women.” Watts' drumming often provided a perfect foil for Keith Richards on guitar-driven songs like “Stray Cat Blues,” “Gimme Shelter” and “Tumbling Dice”; his impeccable timekeeping was evident whether the band was playing fast and loose with blues forms or attempting to fit in with the dance trends of the 1970s and early ‘80s.

Steady as he was, his playing was full of the swing and bounce that came from the American jazz musicians of the 1940s and '50s he admired and studied.

Watts joined the Stones in January 1963 and was the group’s lone drummer as they moved from covers of blues and early rock 'n' roll numbers to such era-defining albums as Let It Bleed, Sticky Fingers and Exile on Main Street. His last concert with the Stones was on 8/30/19 in Miami.

The Stones’ original bassist, Bill Wyman, recounted Watts’ thoughts about joining the Stones in his book Rolling With the Stones. “Charlie was living with his parents in Neasden. As an outsider, Charlie’s view of the Stones was interesting and in truth about right,” Wyman writes.

Watts, according to Wyman, said: “I thought they were mad. They were working a lot of dates without getting paid or worrying about it. I was earning a pretty comfortable living, which obviously was going to nosedive. But I got to thinking about it. I liked their spirit and I was getting involved with R&B. So I said okay.”

Watts' only side ventures were jazz bands—a quintet and a tentet—that toured and recorded from the mid-1980s into the 2000s.

In fact, Watts started as a jazz drummer, playing coffee shops and clubs while he worked days as a graphic designer. A neighbor from his childhood in Wembley, Dave Green, played bass with him in a group called the Jo Jones Allstars; he also occasionally played in Dudley Moore's piano trio. Guitarist Alexis Korner welcomed him into his Blues Incorporated.

Then, in mid-1962, Watts met Brian Jones, Mick Jagger and Richards, who convinced him to join their band several months later.

He was inducted as a member of the Stones into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 and received a Lifetime Achievement Grammy in 1986. He was inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 2006.

Paul McCartney called Watts “a lovely guy” in a tweeted video and said, “Charlie was a rock. Fantastic drummer; steady as a rock. I always loved you, Charlie.”

Facebook tributes to Watts included the following:

Ringo Starr: “God bless Charlie Watts. We’re going to miss you, man. Peace and love to the family.”

Elton John: “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.”

Questlove: “The heartbeat of Rock & Roll. The Great Charlie Watts. All due respect.”

Duran Duran’s Roger Taylor: “So saddened to hear about the passing of Charlie Watts. An absolute inspiration to a legion of drummers since the 1960s. A man of grace, style, dignity and composure. His simple style was a lesson to us all. When we heard Charlie play, we realised there was never a need to over-perform; it was all about the groove, serving the band and, of course, the song. Most of all, despite being in the greatest rock and roll band of all time, his self-effacing manner and humility was a shining light for all of us in the world to follow.”

Keith Urban: “The heartbeat of one of the greatest bands of all time, a truly one-of-a-kind musician whose 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. 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!”

pic.twitter.com/wi6333F6QF
— The Rolling Stones (@RollingStones) August 24, 2021

So saddened to hear about the passing of Charlie Watts . An absolute inspiration to a legion of drummers since the 1960’s. A man of grace , style , dignity and composure . pic.twitter.com/Nu4msDShAF
— Duran Duran (@duranduran) August 24, 2021

Paul on Charlie Watts â¤ï¸ pic.twitter.com/rn2elK6cFE
— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) August 24, 2021

I’m just shocked to hear about Charlie Watts. I don’t know what to say, I feel terrible for Charlie’s family. Charlie was a great drummer and I loved the Stones music, they made great records. Love & Mercy. pic.twitter.com/C4q2zXvVKo
— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) August 24, 2021

Drummers are the most ensnared individuals. Though they are loudest, they are the last to be heard. They have insecurities due to the fact that everyone has their back turned on them. Herein lies the band’s secret; there is no greatness- without a great drummer. RIP Charlie Watts pic.twitter.com/sAcE7SYiBY
— Perry Farrell (@perryfarrell) August 24, 2021

#CHARLIEWATTS. The beat of The Stones. There are no words, every groove has spoken for itself.
6/2/41 - 8/24/21 pic.twitter.com/Lw2USKaxYH
— Lenny Kravitz (@LennyKravitz) August 24, 2021

Charlie Watts was the most elegant and dignified drummer in rock and roll. He played exactly what was needed - no more - no less. He is one of a kind. pic.twitter.com/aasPZ2fMYX
— Joan Jett (@joanjett) August 24, 2021

I first saw The @RollingStones in 1966 in the Bay Area and have been a fan ever since. Charlie Watts was one of the great drummers and will be missed. Rest easy Charlie pic.twitter.com/FQKOXiSUpG
— John Fogerty (@John_Fogerty) August 24, 2021

We are crushed to hear the great Charlie Watts has passed. He was a legendary drummer and a perfect gentleman. His unique style and personality influenced many drummers, including our own Jeff Simon. Our condolences to his family, friends and his fans around the world. ðŸ™ðŸ¥ pic.twitter.com/ftpxEdwVBr
— Thorogood&Destroyers (@thorogoodmusic) August 24, 2021

So sad to lose a unique, iconic drummer. (and dancer)
He was a quiet gianthttps://t.co/W9QdcJwfur @RollingStones #DOTM #charliewatts #therollingstones #rollingstones
— Stewart Copeland (@copelandmusic) August 24, 2021

Exile On Main Street is a messy rock'n'roll masterpiece. Nothing happened in the studio each night until Charlie found the rhythm to whatever riff Keith was unearthing. Once they locked onto each other, things happened. He was the engine of the Rolling Stones. RIP Charlie Watts
— Billy Bragg (@billybragg) August 24, 2021

A monumentally sad day learning my personal hero Charlie Watts has died. I’m devastated and my soul aches for Shirley, Serafina, the extended Watts family, and of course his band mates. I don’t know what to say really. Charlie Watts Rest In Peace my friend…
— Max Weinberg (@EStreetMax) August 24, 2021

Aside from being a unique musician Charlie Watts managed to remain completely classy throughout the whole of the Rolling Stones career. Quite an achievement. #charliewatts
— Johnny Marr (@Johnny_Marr) August 24, 2021

An early mentor, a fellow jazz fan, #RIP Charlie Watts. -John Densmore https://t.co/C8x9qMSLbV
— John Densmore (@JohnDensmore) August 24, 2021

Sad to hear of Charlie Watts passing. The Rolling Stones have always been my favorite band, and Charlie was the engine of subltle and heavy grooves. I’ll put on “Sway” which is my favorite song of all time. Any of us in a rock band wouldn’t be here if it hadn’t been for Charlie. pic.twitter.com/0GsCAIEIO3
— Mike McCready (@MikeMcCreadyPJ) August 24, 2021

love these headlines… god speed Charlie Watts and damn what a class act. pic.twitter.com/vPIIcclWe7
— Margo Price (@MissMargoPrice) August 24, 2021

Charlie Watts was the backbeat of my youth. His style was often imitated, but never duplicated. He put the roll into the rock of the Rolling Stones.
My deepest sympathies go out to his wife and family along with his lifelong bandmates.
Rest In Peace, sweet Charlie. pic.twitter.com/hemA3RJIZc
— Brian Ray (@brianrayguitar) August 24, 2021
To celebrate Watts' 80 birthday on 6/2, Mick Jagger posted a video montage of the drummer.

Happy 80th birthday Charlie! Love Mick pic.twitter.com/tlk8ea6oE3
— Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) June 2, 2021

Sad to hear of Charlie Watts passing. The Rolling Stones have always been my favorite band, and Charlie was the engine of subltle and heavy grooves. I’ll put on “Sway” which is my favorite song of all time. Any of us in a rock band wouldn’t be here if it hadn’t been for Charlie. pic.twitter.com/0GsCAIEIO3
— Mike McCready (@MikeMcCreadyPJ) August 24, 2021

An early mentor, a fellow jazz fan, #RIP Charlie Watts. -John Densmore https://t.co/C8x9qMSLbV
— John Densmore (@JohnDensmore) August 24, 2021

Aside from being a unique musician Charlie Watts managed to remain completely classy throughout the whole of the Rolling Stones career. Quite an achievement. #charliewatts
— Johnny Marr (@Johnny_Marr) August 24, 2021

A monumentally sad day learning my personal hero Charlie Watts has died. I’m devastated and my soul aches for Shirley, Serafina, the extended Watts family, and of course his band mates. I don’t know what to say really. Charlie Watts Rest In Peace my friend…
— Max Weinberg (@EStreetMax) August 24, 2021

Exile On Main Street is a messy rock'n'roll masterpiece. Nothing happened in the studio each night until Charlie found the rhythm to whatever riff Keith was unearthing. Once they locked onto each other, things happened. He was the engine of the Rolling Stones. RIP Charlie Watts
— Billy Bragg (@billybragg) August 24, 2021