To say its the end of an era is an understatement. We knew a day like this was going to come at some point, but it doesnt make it easier.

I did get to meet Charlie on three occasions and he couldnt have been nicer. The first one was outside the Amstel Hotel in Amsterdam in 1995 as he arrived back from a night out with Shirley and despite being visibly 'tired and emotional' was happy to take a few minutes standing for photos and autographs. I took a couple of photos but in the excitement I didnt get around to getting an autograph. Eight months later I sent him a birthday card to his home address - with a cheeky and half-apologetic note asking for a signed photo as I'd forgot to do so when we met in Amsterdam. I duly got one in the mail about ten days later.

The other two were in June 2007 when the much-missed Gotorollme and myself were following the Bigger Bang tour in Lisbon and Madrid. Had a lovely chat with him for a few minutes at the band's hotel in Lisbon - bizarrely not about music, but about George Best, which he initiated after he saw George's picture on my t-shirt and heard my Belfast accent. I'll always treasure that encounter.  We met him again in Madrid a few days later and he remembered and greeted us again.

This is a sad day for Stones fans everywhere. Personally I've met so many people through this band over the last few decades (mostly in the last 25-odd years of the internet era) and the sad reality is dawning that in most cases we'll never get the chance to do it again in a concert environment.

The greatest sadness of all though is for Charlie's family. He was blissfully married to Shirley for 67 years with not one hint of scandal. Unheard of in the entertainment industry.

We'll all have our own thoughts on what should happen re; the Stones' future plans. That discussion is for another day IMO.  Today is for remembering Charlie's contribution to almost six decades of great music.

Thank you for everything, Charlie.

Just staring into space, wiping tears and trying to wrap my head around
this horrible news.
We all knew this day would come but no way to prepare.
Thank you Charlie for your style, your sense of humor, your gentility, your
incredible talent and your devotion to The Rolling Stones.
There will never be another quite like you.
Sincerest condolences to Shirley, Serafina and Charlotte.
Much love to Mick, Keith, Ronnie, Bill and Mick T.
Lots of hugs to my fellow RO'ers. It's sure been a fun ride.
xoxo
LJ

I don't know what to say.

Such a humble man.

Always got the biggest roar and acknowledgements from the crowd.

What a drummer and presence.

Hard to take in. Tragic.

I always liked that video where he said he worked 5 years and 20 years hanging around.
Stones would never had been as cool with out him.

Some Guy wrote on Aug 24^th, 2021 at 2:07pm:

Yes we knew at some point this day would come with one of them.

I feel sad for Charlie .. not for The Stones sake as a band either ... just for his sake and his family etc.

Paul McCartney talks about how he feels about it, touching words

https://twitter.com/PaulMcCartney/status/1430221433100177409?s=20

Eric Clapton's post:

https://www.facebook.com/ericclapton

So effin' sad 



R.I.P

A good collection of some of the celebrity reactions:

https://deadline.com/2021/08/rolling-stones-elton-john-musicians-react-charlie-w
atts-death-1234820961/

Very sad day in the Stones universe.  Charlie Watts was a legend!