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The Arts Intel Report

Charlie Watts: Gentleman, Collector, Rolling Stone—Literature and Jazz, Part I

Charlie Watts

Sept 15–29, 2023
8 King St, St. James's, London SW1Y 6QT, United Kingdom

Charlie Watts, the drummer for the Rolling Stones, was also the band’s gentleman. While the other Stones wore their hair long and dressed for the stage, Watts remained true to his classical style. He read literature, studied jazz, and dressed in suits from Savile Row tailors. Watts died on August 24, 2021, at the age of 80, and this September his collection of first-edition books and landmark jazz recordings will be auctioned in London at Christie’s. Among the treasures are a first edition of The Great Gatsby and a collection of detective fiction by Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle. Part II of the auction is an online sale, which is open for bidding from September 15 to 29. —Elena Clavarino

Photo: © The Rolling Stones