Why Rolling Stone Charlie Watts never had a drum kit at home

24 August 2026, 14:12 | Updated: 25 August 2026, 15:10

By Radio X Classic Rock

@xclassicrock

Charlie Watts was the drummer of one of the biggest bands in the world, but he never owned a real drum kit at home. Find out why.

The Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts died on 24th August 2021, aged 80. He was one of the original members of the classic British band and had appeared on every one of their 23 studio albums until 2023's Hackney Diamonds.

Dubbed "the Wembley Whammer," by his bandmate Mick Jagger, the Watts was often considered the elder statesman of the group and of course the heartbeat of the band.

Back in 2020, he gave us a closer insight into his home life when the band performed one of their most famous hits for the One World: Together At Home gig during lockdown.

Jagger, Watts, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood all called into the charity event, which was organised by Lady Gaga in conjunction with Global Citizen and the World Health Organisation, but it was Charlie's set up that sparked conversation among fans watching online.

Performing individually from their own homes via webcam, the veteran band played their 1969 classic You Can't Always Get What You Want.

Remind yourself of the moment below:

The Rolling Stones perform "You Can't Always Get What You Want" | | One World: Together At Home

Fans were amused to see Watts use a suitcase and the side of a chair to "air drum" his part on the classic song - playing along to a pre-recorded drum track.

"Charlie Watts happily playing air drums for The Rolling Stones is the kind of feel-good content we need," tweeted one fan.

Others wondered why the legendary drummer wasn't using real drums, despite spending most of his life as a sticksman.

"Very much enjoying that Charlie Watts spent his entire life as the drummer for The Rolling Stones and apparently doesn’t have a set of drums in his house," remarked another.

So why didn't The Rolling Stones' beloved drummer seem to have a drum kit at home? The answer seems to be because he valued peace and quiet at home with his wife Shirley.

Speaking to NME in 2018 about the secret to his successful marriage, he mused: "Because I’m not really a rockstar".

"I don’t have all the trappings of that," he went on. "Having said that, I do have four vintage cars and can’t drive the bloody things. I’ve never been interested in doing interviews or being seen."

"Because of what I do I can't play the drums at home so to play the drums I have to go on the road, and to go on the road I have to leave home and it's like a terribly vicious circle that's always been my life," he explained in an 1989 interview.

"I don't like living out of suitcases. I hate being away from home. I always do tours thinking they're the last one, and at the end of them I always leave the band."

He also told The Guardian in 2000 that the touring life caused issues with his daughter Serafina. "It's difficult to be a good father when you're away from home so much," he mused.

In 2021, Charlie had stepped down from performing on the Stones' 13-date No Filter tour, which was set to kick off in St Louis on 26th September. In a statement, the band said that the drummer had undergone "a procedure which was completely successful", but needed time to recuperate.

Watts added in his own statement: “For once my timing has been a little off."

Sadly, he never made it back on tour with the band and his publicist Bernard Doherty confirmed to PA news on Tuesday 24th August 2021: "It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Charlie Watts.

"He passed away peacefully in a London hospital earlier today surrounded by his family.

"Charlie was a cherished husband, father and grandfather and also as a member of The Rolling Stones one of the greatest drummers of his generation.

"We kindly request that the privacy of his family, band members and close friends is respected at this difficult time."

Five years on from his passing, we remember the jazz-loving drummer, who was known for his impeccable timing, unique groove and elegant style.

Charlie Watts: 1941-2021

READ MORE:

• 10 brilliant Charlie Watts moments that prove he was the backbone of The Rolling Stones
• What did The Rolling Stones play at their legendary Hyde Park show in 1969?