Is The Rolling Stones’ Biggest Career Decision In 57 Years Really Up To Charlie Watts?

“It Wouldn’t Bother Me,” Says 76 Year Old Watts

At 76, Charlie Watts has had one hell of a life.

He’s spent the last 56 years as the Rolling Stones’ drummer, punched Mick Jagger in the face, and been one of the most respected (and fiercely dressed) musicians in rock. As he and the Rolling Stones gear up for their first round of UK dates in over 5 years for the second leg of their No Filter Tour, Watts is understandably looking towards the future; whether that future includes the Rolling Stones is another question completely.

He won’t be crushed when the Rolling Stones decide to hang it up after 56 years together. In fact, quite the opposite.

“I love playing the drums, and I love playing with Mick and Keith and Ronnie,” Watts told the Guardian. “I don’t know about the rest of it. It wouldn’t bother me if the Rolling Stones said ‘That’s it – enough.'”

In a year where we’re seeing more and more classic artists retire –  be it completely or just from road life – it’s unsurprising that Charlie Watts is thinking about what the future might hold. He’s by no means afraid, but he admits to being uncertain as to what lay ahead for the Rolling Stones once the No Filter Tour wraps in Warsaw, Poland on July 8th. Sure, there’s the benefit of being able to go home and spend the rest of their days with family (especially Ronnie and Mick, who both have infant children) and away from the hustle and bustle of rockstar life.

But even that holds some concern for Charlie, who says he “doesn’t know what I would do if I stopped”. This also raises the question as to whether the Rolling Stones would and could go on without Charlie should he decide enough is enough, something Keith Richards has touched on in recent years: “There couldn’t be a Rolling Stones without Charlie Watts.”

At the end of the day, if this really is the end of the Rolling Stones, Charlie’s one and only wish is that he and his friends end things amicably – everything else is secondary.

“I would like Mick to say, or me or Keith or whoever, ‘I don’t want to do it anymore,’ for whatever reason, and we just say, ‘That’s it.’ I wouldn’t want it to be an argument or whatever.”

In the meantime, neither Charlie or the Rolling Stones plan to go anywhere. If you’re itchin’ for their brand of rock and roll, we’ve got you covered: check out this awesome video of the guys rocking “Gimme Shelter” in the video below!