More than three years after the passing of legendary drummer Charlie Watts, Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards says the loss is something he still feels every single day.
During a recent appearance on Howard Stern’s SiriusXM show, Richards opened up about his longtime friend and bandmate, revealing that Watts remains a daily presence in his life despite his passing in August 2021 at the age of 80.
Richards shared that one of the first things he sees every morning is a portrait of Watts displayed on the staircase in his home.
“As I come out of my bedroom, the first thing I see is a portrait of Charlie on the staircase,” Richards said. “I always give him a salute on the way. Charlie Watts was a solid guy.”
The touching ritual highlights the deep friendship between the two musicians, who spent nearly six decades together as members of one of the most influential rock bands in history.
The memories have become even more meaningful as The Rolling Stones prepare to release Hackney Diamonds, their first album of new material in 18 years. The album includes two songs featuring Watts on drums, “Mess It Up” and “Live By the Sword,” giving fans one final opportunity to hear his unmistakable playing on new recordings.
“Live By the Sword” holds special significance, as it also reunites Watts with former Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman. After hearing the song during the interview, Howard Stern noticed Richards becoming emotional.
“It’s the last time that bunch is ever gonna be heard together, you know?” Richards reflected.
Richards also looked back on the early days of The Rolling Stones and recalled how Watts initially approached joining the band with a professional mindset. While the group had little money at the time, Watts insisted on being paid for performances.
“If we didn’t have him, we wouldn’t be able to do the gig,” Richards remembered. “The gigs paid off right away. Charlie wanted to do it, and after a couple of gigs, we knew we had him anyway.”
Looking back, Richards believes the band was incredibly fortunate to have Watts behind the drum kit.
“Did we luck out with that guy,” he said.
According to Richards, Watts’ greatest gift wasn’t just his impeccable timing but the confidence and freedom he gave the rest of the band every time they stepped on stage or entered the studio.
“There was a feeling about Charlie, a subtlety about the way he played,” Richards explained. “He would throw in ideas that you hadn’t really thought of. At the same time, he had such a solid beat. I never had to worry about anything, which gave the rest of us the freedom to fly.”
Following Watts’ passing, longtime collaborator Steve Jordan stepped in as the band’s touring drummer with Watts’ blessing. Jordan has since become The Rolling Stones’ full-time touring drummer and appears on much of Hackney Diamonds.
Still, for Richards and millions of fans around the world, Charlie Watts remains irreplaceable. His quiet presence, steady rhythm, and understated brilliance helped define the sound of The Rolling Stones for nearly 60 years—and his legacy continues to echo through every beat of the band’s music.
As Keith Richards’ daily salute makes clear, some friendships and musical partnerships never truly fade away.