The Rolling Stones have released a tribute video to late drummer Charlie Watts after he died this week.
The musician died at the age of 80 with his family by his side.
In a video shared on the group’s Twitter on Friday, Watts could be seen in various publicity shots from years gone by as well performing on stage.
Set to the Rolling Stones’ song If You Can’t Rock Me, Watts, who was often introduced as The Wembley Whammer by Mick Jagger during performances, can be heard describing how he joined the band.
He explained: ‘When the Stones asked me to join they talked in terms of a band. Commitment, in other words.
‘I thought this will go on a year and then next year it would fold up.’
The clip then cut to a scene of Watts playing to a huge crowd at Wembley Stadium in London.
In a statement to PA after his death this week, his publicist said: ‘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.
‘Charlie was a cherished husband, father and grandfather and also as a member of The Rolling Stones one of the greatest drummers of a generation.
‘We kindly request that the privacy of his family, band members and close friends is respected at this difficult time.’
His cause of death was not confirmed.
Earlier this month, it was announced that Watts – who starred in the Rolling Stones alongside Mick Jagger, 78, Keith Richards, 77, and Ronnie Wood, 74 – would not be travelling to America with the band on their upcoming tour.
A spokesperson said he was ‘unlikely to be available for the resumption of the Rolling Stones USA No Filter Tour’ following a medical procedure, with Steve Jordan stepping in on drums.
He said at the time: ‘For once my timing has been a little off. I am working hard to get fully fit but I have today accepted on the advice of the experts that this will take a while.’
In 2004 the star was diagnosed with throat cancer after a lump was discovered on the side of his neck.
Over a period of four months he underwent intensive radiotherapy before he was given the all clear.
He is survived by wife Shirley Ann Shepherd, their daughter Seraphina, and granddaughter Charlotte.
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