In a jaw-dropping twist that has left fans stunned worldwide, the legendary Rolling Stones were nowhere to be found at the funeral of their iconic drummer Charlie Watts, who passed away on August 24, 2021. As news of Wattsâ death rippled through the rock community, the real shock came during the intimate Devon ceremony â Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Ronnie Wood were mysteriously absent.
Charlie Watts, the unwavering heartbeat of the Stones for over six decades, died at age 80 after announcing he wouldnât join the bandâs upcoming âNo Filterâ tour due to health reasons. His death was a massive blow â yet the empty chairs at his farewell sent shockwaves of disbelief through fans and insiders alike. Some close to Watts insist his family requested the band stay away, fearing the funeral would become a media circus if the rock icons showed up, honoring Wattsâ lifelong desire for privacy away from the glitz and chaos of fame.
Adding to the mystery are whispers of a âRolling Stones curseâ â an unspoken vow among band members to never stop playing, no matter the cost, even death. For devoted fans, the absence was less about neglect and more a haunting declaration: the music must go on.
Personal struggles also played a part. Ronnie Wood was battling cancer treatments, and Keith Richards faced serious health issues, making travel risky. Meanwhile, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic with its harsh restrictions further complicated any chance of reunion for the funeral, risking the entire tour if protocols were broken
