Charlie Watts, Bedrock Drummer for the Rolling Stones, Dies at 80

Mr. Watts, who had no taste for the life of a pop idol, was an unflashy presence with the band and brought to it a swinging style.

Charlie Watts, whose strong but unflashy drumming powered the Rolling Stones for over 50 years, died on Tuesday in London. He was 80. His death, in a hospital, was announced by his publicist, Bernard Doherty. No other details were immediately provided. The Rolling Stones announced earlier this month that Mr. Watts would not be a part of the band’s forthcoming “No Filter” tour of the United States after he had undergone an unspecified emergency medical procedure, which the band’s representatives said had been successful.