The Rolling Stones emotionally reflect on losing Charlie Watts: “I miss him a lot”

1 July 2022, 13:41 | Updated: 16 November 2023, 14:45

The Rolling Stones return to London's Hyde Park for a second time in only a matter of weeks on Sunday 3rd July 2022.

With two sold out dates for British Summer Time at Hyde Park, it proves that Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood and co are still at the top of their game.

And The Rolling Stones have been at the top for a long time. Sixty years in fact.

To commemorate the iconic band's longevity and cultural impact, there is a new series airing this summer offering a retrospective from the band themselves.

• Remembering when Rolling Stones' Charlie Watts had the ultimate drummer's revenge on Mick Jagger
• Mick Jagger reveals if Bill Wyman and Mick Taylor will play with the Rolling Stones on the Sixty tour
• Mick Jagger explains why The Rolling Stones have cancelled 'Brown Sugar'

With an episode dedicated each to Mick, Keith, and Ronnie, the remaining Stones reflect on the highs and lows over the years.

But they also open up about the very recent and very painful loss of drummer Charlie Watts.

Founding member Charlie was a constant in the group until his passing last August at the age of 80 surrounded by his loved ones.

Frontman Mick admitted that he missed his friend and former bandmate "on many levels", whilst Keith confessed that he is "still dealing with it".

In the new four-part documentary, Mick says: 'I miss Charlie on many levels. I miss wanting to play him this new groove and I want to say how badly England has done in the Test match yesterday. I miss him a lot."

Elsewhere in the series, Keith opens up about Charlie, adding 'I am still dealing with it. Charlie was the engine. The best drummer England has produced."

"People like Charlie Watts are very hard to put in a pocket" he continues. "They don’t make pockets for people like Charlie. He is a totally unique guy."

Ronnie Wood also admits to being shell-shocked with the loss of Charlie, who fondly remembers his organisational habits and immaculate sense of style.

"When Charlie passed we were mind-blown. We have the spirit of Charlie playing with us" Ronnie gushed.

He goes on to describe his former bandmate: "One word, particular. Clothes had a layer of tissue paper between each shirt, each sock, each underpant, each jacket. Not one thing out of place."

The new series, My Life as a Rolling Stone, will feature exclusive new interviews from the band who candidly discuss their successes and misgivings from the entirety of their career.

It'll also include commentaries from the many artists that they've influenced and collaborated with such as Aerosmith's Steven Tyler, Sir Rod Stewart, Tina Turner, The Pretenders' Chrissie Hynde, Guns N' Roses axe-slayer Slash, and P.P. Arnold.

At one point Mick and Keith both reflect on what they've done to sustain such high levels of success, and remain good friends with one another.

"Mick and I look at each other and think 'We must be doing something right'" admits Keith.

"I don’t know what it is. The idea of turning people on for 60 years is like 'Whoah'. The thing is relentless, it is like a juggernaut."

And their 60th anniversary tour unrelentingly continues with an upcoming show at London's Hyde Park before heading to Europe.

It's a fitting tribute to Charlie, and the perfect way to celebrate six decades as one of the world’s biggest and best bands.