By Ahmed Abdelsalam
A handwritten letter from Rolling Stones founder Brian Jones inviting Charlie Watts to join the band is set to go under the hammer, revealing the guitarist's blunt assessment of their then-drummer.
Historic recruitment letter surfaces
The note, written in the early 1960s, captures Jones's urgency to secure Watts, who was then playing with Blues Incorporated. "Our present drummer is atrocious!" Jones wrote, underscoring his dissatisfaction with the band's percussion situation at the time.
Watts's pivotal arrival
Watts officially joined the Rolling Stones in January 1963, completing the classic lineup alongside Jones, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Bill Wyman. His steady, jazz-influenced style became a cornerstone of the group's sound for nearly six decades until his death in 2021.
Auction details
The letter is being offered for sale publicly for the first time, providing collectors a rare glimpse into the formative moments of one of rock's most enduring bands. Auction house details and estimated value have not been disclosed.
