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Charlie Watts’ wife Shirley has died aged 82 following a short illness – 16 months after the Rolling Stones drummer lost his battle with cancer.
It’s truly a love story, from all accounts they shared a successful marriage for 57-years, an unheard feat in the world of rock-n-roll. Although she wasn’t a drummer, the Drumming News Network felt compelled to share this news, a woman who contributed to Charlie’s success, life, and happiness in many ways; mainly for being herself.
In a statement released on Monday, their children announced that Shirley was ‘reunited with her beloved Charlie’.
Born Shirley Ann Shepherd in September 1938, she was studying sculpture at the Royal College of Art in 1961 when she met Charlie Watts who was then a graphic designer and part time jazz musician.
Charlie was working a day job at an advertising agency at the time and was gigging as a drummer with Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated, with the pair meeting during his first rehearsal.
They married in 1964 before the Rolling Stones shot to fame, with Charlie joining the band a year earlier.
Four years later Shirley gave birth to their daughter, Seraphina. Shirley and Charlie moved to Devon eventually where she ran a world class Arabian stud farm, becoming highly respected as a breeder and show person in the International Arabian horse community.
Throughout her 57-year marriage to the Rolling Stones drummer, Shirley remained the love of his life and their love remained constant throughout the years.
Shirley was an accomplished sculptor and huge supporter of animal rescue.
‘She is an incredible woman,’ Charlie once said, speaking of his wife. ‘The one regret I have of this life is that I was never home enough. But she always says when I come off tour that I am a nightmare and tells me to go back out.’
Charlie has also credited Shirley and their daughter Seraphina for saving his life when he appeared to get swept up in one aspect of the rock and roll lifestyle – drugs.
Parts of this article were taken from the Daily Mail, to read their full article visit: HERE
