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Sir Mick Jagger has admitted he still thinks about his late bandmate Charlie Watts ‘a lot’ and told how he misses his friend’s ‘laconic humour’.

The Rolling Stones frontman, 80, and his bandmates Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood took to the stage in New York on Thursday to celebrate the release of their new album Hackney Diamonds – their first since Charlie’s death.

Drummer Charlie sadly passed away in August 2021 aged 80, following complications from emergency heart surgery.

And Sir Mick has now opened up about the devastating loss and told how he often thinks of Charlie and misses his ‘don’t-care attitude’ in the rock band.

‘It’s a couple of years now, and I still think about Charlie a lot,’ he told The Guardian.

Grief: Sir Mick Jagger has admitted he still thinks about his late bandmate Charlie Watts (both pictured in October 2014)  'a lot' and told how he misses his friend's 'laconic humour'

Grief: Sir Mick Jagger has admitted he still thinks about his late bandmate Charlie Watts (both pictured in October 2014)  ‘a lot’ and told how he misses his friend’s ‘laconic humour’

‘I miss his laconic humour, his taste in music, his elegance, his don’t-care attitude – he didn’t get intense. Keith and I get a bit intense.’ 

He said even when he and Keith would be sniping at each other, Charlie would never get involved, with Sir Mick admitting his friend’s attitude has rubbed off on him.

The singer said he often thinks about which songs Charlie would have liked and what he would have played when he is on stage without his beloved bandmate.

Sir Mick also insisted that loss doesn’t get any easier as you get older as he spoke about coming to terms with Charlie’s death.

‘No, [loss] doesn’t get easier at all, there’s a lot of people around your age, they’re dying all the time,’ he said.

‘I don’t have any friends older than me, only one, apart from the band, all my friends are much younger.’

Guitarist Keith has also spoke about how Charlie’s death prompted him and Sir Mick to get back in the studio, leading to the release of Hackney Diamonds – their first studio album of original music in 18 years.

Keith told The Sun: ‘[Charlie’s death] jolted us into thinking we’ve got to make a record,’ Keith told The Sun.

Death: Drummer Charlie sadly passed away in August 2021 aged 80, following complications from emergency heart surgery

Death: Drummer Charlie sadly passed away in August 2021 aged 80, following complications from emergency heart surgery 

Friends: Sir Mick has now opened up about the devastating loss and told how he often thinks of Charlie and misses his 'don't-care attitude' in the band (all pictured in July 2006)

Friends: Sir Mick has now opened up about the devastating loss and told how he often thinks of Charlie and misses his ‘don’t-care attitude’ in the band (all pictured in July 2006)

‘Mick agreed with me about the record, we said, “Let’s get this thing in the studio. Let’s make this a project — go from A to B and actually finish it”.’

He told how Charlie’s replacement Steve Jordan ‘seamlessly’ fitting in with the band also inspired them to make new music.

On the new album, tracks Mess It Up and Live By The Sword both feature Charlie as they were recorded in 2019, with Keith saying it was important to them that the late drummer was on the record.

‘There is a neat tie-up there. And it was important for us to put out something we had cut with Charlie,’ he said. 

Their comments come after The Rolling Stones took to the stage in New York on Thursday night for a surprise star-studded gig.

Supermodels, Hollywood actors and singers gathered to celebrate the launch of the band’s album Hackney Diamonds at west side club Racket NYC. 

Inspired: Guitarist Keith has also spoke about how Charlie's death prompted him and Sir Mick to get back in the studio, leading to the release of Hackney Diamonds

Inspired: Guitarist Keith has also spoke about how Charlie’s death prompted him and Sir Mick to get back in the studio, leading to the release of Hackney Diamonds 

Show: Sir Mick, 80, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood took to the stage in New York on Thursday to celebrate their new album's release - their first since Charlie's death

Show: Sir Mick, 80, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood took to the stage in New York on Thursday to celebrate their new album’s release – their first since Charlie’s death

Iconic: Lady Gaga joined the band on stage for their new song Sweet Sounds of Heaven, which she features on the album

Iconic: Lady Gaga joined the band on stage for their new song Sweet Sounds of Heaven, which she features on the album

Legendary catwalk queens Christie Brinkley, 69, and Christy Turlington, 54, brought along their daughters Sailor Brinkley Cook and Grace Burns with Daniel Craig, 55, and his wife Rachel Weisz, 53. 

Much to the crowds delight the band – Mick, Keith, and  Ronnie, 79 – hit the stage ninety minutes into the party and were joined by Lady Gaga for the encore.

Lady Gaga joined the band on stage for their new song Sweet Sounds of Heaven, which she features on the album.

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This post first appeared on Daily mail