Mick Jagger says Charlie Watts “was the beating heart” of the Rolling Stones: “It’s strange to be without him”



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Mick Jagger spoke about his beloved bandmate and pal Charlie Watts.

Howard Stern opened up about how the Rolling Stones kicked off their North American tour on Wednesday with a tribute to the late drummer in an interview with the frontman. Watts died in August at the age of 80.

The jock shock described how the footage shows Watts maintaining a steady pace.

“Charlie was the heart of the band, and also a very stable personality,” Jagger replied, quoted by Central Recorder on Thursday. “He couldn’t be bothered. He was a very reliable person, he wasn’t a diva – that’s the last thing you expect from a drummer.”

ROLLING STONES DRUMMER CHARLIE WATTS DEAD AT 80

Jagger also praised Watts’ dry sense of humor, as well as their relationship outside of the group.

Mick Jagger and Charlie Watts on stage for the film

Mick Jagger and Charlie Watts on stage for the movie “Spend the Night Together” in 1981.
((Photo by Aaron Rapoport / Corbis via Getty Images))

“I miss Charlie because he had a great sense of humor and we were also, outside the squad, we hung out a lot and had an interesting time,” said the 78-year-old. “We liked sports, we went to football, we went to cricket matches and we had other interests besides music.”

Jagger also explained how Watts has remained an important presence during the tour.

“Every time we get together now and rehearse, we say, ‘Oh, Charlie would say this, then he would do that,'” he explained.

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The star also revealed that Watts, who was forced to drop the band’s next tour before his death due to an undefined health issue, insisted the band continue without him.

“We’ve done so many shows with him, so many tours and so many recording sessions, it’s strange to be without him,” Jagger admitted. “And he said, when he was sick, he said, ‘You just have to go on and do this tour. Don’t stop because of me.’ So we did. “

Charlie Watts of The Rolling Stones performs during a concert on the band's No Filter Europe tour at the U Arena in Nanterre, near Paris, France, Oct. 22, 2017.

Charlie Watts of The Rolling Stones performs during a concert on the band’s No Filter Europe tour at the U Arena in Nanterre, near Paris, France, Oct. 22, 2017.
(AP Photo / Michel Euler)

Watts was an acclaimed jazz conductor when he was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2004. He received intensive treatment and made a full recovery. His return to health allowed him to resume touring with the Stones and his jazz group.

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Watts is survived by his wife Shirley, sister Linda, daughter Seraphina and granddaughter Charlotte.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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