London (AFP)

Rolling Stones drummer, the always stylish Charlie Watts, died in London on Tuesday at the age of 80, his agent said, garnering many tributes in the music world.

"It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our dear Charlie Watts", said in a statement his agent, Bernard Doherty, specifying that he had "died peacefully in a hospital in London earlier in the day, surrounded by his family ".

“Charlie was a much loved husband, father and grandfather and also, as a member of the Rolling Stones, one of the greatest drummers of his generation,” Doherty said.

A spokesperson for the artist had already announced in early August that he would not participate in the group's American tour, scheduled for the fall, for medical reasons.

"Charlie has undergone a successful operation," but his doctors believe he needs rest, he said at the time, without further clarification.

- "Elegant" -

The drummer, who turned 80 in June, had been a member of the Rolling Stones since 1963. Along with frontman Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards, Charlie Watts was among the oldest members of the famous rock band, which saw Mick parade. Taylor, Ronnie Wood or even Bill Wyman.

With his impassive face and his unanimously recognized talent for binary rhythm, he offered on stage a counterpoint to the frantic swaying of Mick Jagger and the electric antics of guitarists Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood.

He was "the most elegant man and in such brilliant company", moved on this "very sad day" singer Elton John, offering in a tweet his condolences to Shirley Shepherd, Watts' wife since 50 years old, and their daughter Seraphina, with whom he spent a peaceful life in their thoroughbred Arabian stud farm in Devon, in the south of England.

"God bless Charlie Watts, we will miss you," said Beatles drummer Ringo Starr on Facebook, giving the family of the deceased a "peace and love".

Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts (left) alongside, in order, Mick Jagger, Ron Wood and Keith Richards, in New York City on May 7, 2002 STAN HONDA AFP / Archives

Liam Gallagher, singer of the band Oasis, and the band Kiss, paid tribute to the drummer with a simple "RIP Charlie Watts" ("Requiescat in pace", rest in peace) on their official Twitter account.

Born June 2, 1941 in London, Charlie Watts, self-taught in drums, had to play by ear, watching players in London jazz clubs.

"I've never been to a school to learn to play jazz. It's not what I like. What I like about jazz is the emotion."

Throughout his career with the Rolling Stones, the one who held his drumsticks upside down while hitting with the big end, continued jazz in parallel.

He recorded several discs under his name with a quintet (Charlie Watts Quintet) then a dixtuor (Charlie and the tentet Watts).

In 2004, Mr Watts was treated for throat cancer at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, from which he recovered after four months of struggle, including six weeks of intensive radiation therapy.

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