Mick Jagger pays teary tribute to Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts on stage for the first time since his sudden death

Virgin Radio

22 Sep 2021, 15:13

It was an emotional night for Mick Jagger and the band as they paid a poignant tribute to the late Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts and dedicated their first gig to their old bandmate.

Performing at the Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, the rock 'n' roll legend kicked off the band's US tour with a heartfelt speech about the iconic drummer who died on August 24th at a hospital in London aged 80. 

Sharing the clip on his Twitter account, the singer was close to tears as he remembered the icon.

He said: "It’s the first show of our 2021 tour, so this is it. I must say though, at this point, it’s a bit of a poignant night for us because it’s our first tour in 59 years that we’ve done without our lovely Charlie Watts. And we all miss Charlie so much.

“We miss him as a band, we miss him as a friend on and off the stage and we’ve got so many memories of Charlie - and I’m sure some of you who have seen us before have got memories of Charlie as well.

“I hope you will remember him like we do, so we’d like to dedicate this show to Charlie.”

Raising a bottle in the air, he shouted out: “To Charlie!”

Ronnie Wood added: "Charlie, we’re playing for you, man. We’re playing for you.”

Mick continued: “What are we going to do now? Now I’m all emotional."

Fans shared their sorrow on Twitter for the musician who 'passed away peacefully in a London hospital ­surrounded by his family'.

The drummer had previously pulled out of their US tour following a medical procedure and his death later came as a huge shock to everyone.

GB News presenter Alastair Stewart commented on Mick's post: "This is quite a moment when the greatest rock 'n' roll band in the world demonstrates what really makes it tick - and has done, for more than half a century! Respect to the @RollingStones & good luck with the tour. #RIPCharlieWatts."

One fan wrote: "We will never forget our drummer."

Another penned: "What a beautiful tribute to Charlie Watts. He will always be alive hearts of every fan of The Rolling Stones and for his file."

A third added: "Dang. I’ve never seen Mick emotional."

The band released a statement following the news which said: "It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Charlie Watts.

“Charlie was a cherished husband, father and grandfather and also as a member of the Rolling Stones one of the greatest drummers of his generation.”

RIP Charlie.