China News Service, August 25. According to a number of British media reports on the 24th, the legendary British rock band "Rolling Stones" drummer Charlie Watts has passed away at the age of 80.

Mick Jagger, the lead singer of the Rolling Stones, posted a photo of Watts playing drums to pay tribute to him.

(Image source: screenshot of social networking site)

  Watts' publicist Bernard Doherty said in a statement that earlier on the 24th, Watts died peacefully in a London hospital with his family by his side.

  The statement said, "Charlie is a respected husband, father and grandfather. At the same time, as a member of the Rolling Stones, he is also one of the greatest drummers of his generation."

  Mick Jagger, the lead singer of the Rolling Stones, posted a photo of Watts playing drums on the social networking site "Twitter" to pay tribute to him.

Guitarist Keith Richards posted a photo of an empty drum kit.

  Earlier this month, Watts announced that due to health reasons, he would miss the upcoming US tour of the Rolling Stones.

In 2004, Watts had undergone surgery for laryngeal cancer and has recovered. It is not clear whether his condition is related to laryngeal cancer.

  Watts was born in 1941 and joined the Rolling Stones in 1963. He is one of the longest-time members in the band's history.