Charlie Watts Did Not Play THIS Rolling Stones Hit Song — Here's Why

Among The Rolling Stones' songs, there was one track that did not feature its late drummer, Charlie Watts.

Since its formation in 1962, The Rolling Stones saw some members come and go. They also lost one of its founding members, Watts, who died in 2021.

The late drummer notably played for the rock band for decades before his death. But he did not play the drums for one of the band's hit songs.

Charlie Watts Did Not Play in THIS The Rolling Stones Song

The song in question is The Rolling Stones' "It's Only Rock 'N' Roll (But I Like It)." The band recorded it in 1973 and completed it the following year. It serves as the lead single of The Rolling Stones' album, "It's Only Rock n' Roll."

Mick Jagger led the song, with David Bowie as the backing singer. Meanwhile, Willie Weeks played the bass while Jones played the drums.

In a past interview with Noise11, Jones revealed the real reason why he played on the track instead of Watts.

"Ronnie Wood would always call me up as soon as I got one foot into bed. It was quite late," he recalled. "He'd call me up and say, 'Kenney, we haven't got a drummer. Can you come around and play on this'. I'd given Ronnie one of my drum kits, so the drum kit was permanently set up there in his studio."

The drummer soon learned he would play the song after doing the track.

After it happened, he called the late founding member and apologized. Watts, on the other hand, said it was okay as he sounded like him.

Because of the interaction, Jones called Watts a "love guy" and a "perfect gentleman."

Charlie Watts' Dead: What Was The Rolling Stones Drummer's Cause of Death?

The Rolling Stones lost its drummer following Charlie Watts' death. The late musician died at the age of 80 in a London hospital on Aug. 24, 2021.

In a statement (via The Guardian), Watt's London publicist Bernard Doherty said the late drummer died peacefully with his family surrounding him until his last breath.

Before his passing, The Rolling Stones confirmed he would miss their US tour as he continued to recuperate after a medical procedure.

Charlie Watts' cause of death was not exactly publicized, but his health issues had been known to the public for decades. The drummer was infamously known for his alcohol and drug use in the 1980s. He was soon diagnosed with throat cancer.

Watts underwent radiotherapy and managed to make cancer go into remission.

Weeks before his death, he underwent heart surgery, leading Steve Jordan to fill in.