Charlie Watts, the legendary drummer of rock band Rolling Stones, has died, according to a statement by his spokesperson on Tuesday. He was 80.  

“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,” a statement from the spokesperson
said.

Watts has been a member of the London-based band since 1963,
joining Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Brian Jones.

The fans of Watts and Rolling Stones were left in utter
shock and disbelief on hearing the news. Social media was flooded with messages
of condolences as soon as the news of the drum maestro’s death broke.

“As a former drummer, I never tried to emulate Charlie
Watts’ style. It never matched with me. But I’ll be damned if I wasn’t always
amazed by his rock solid drive of one of the greatest rock bands ever. No
flash, just driving the bus while the crazy is happening around him. RIP,” a
user wrote.

“For over 50 years he was the coolest man in rock. RIP,
Charlie Watts,” another fan said.

“I always liked him, the Stone with cool and humble
demeanour. Very sad to hear this,” a fan wrote about Watts while sharing a
video of a song the drummer performed in.

“They’d already announced he was off the tour (which I think
I’m stuck with an extra ticket to) but then the news gets worse,” a sad and distraught
fan wrote.

The news comes weeks after Watts was confirmed to have been
dropped from the Rolling Stones’ tour to the United States, as he was
recovering from an unspecified medical procedure. He was previously treated for
throat cancer in 2004.

To the world, he was a rock star. But Watts often said that the actual experience was draining and unpleasant, and even frightening.