“What a drag it is getting old.”

Charlie Watts, the steady drummer who provided the beat for the Rolling Stones, and by proxy, part of a generation, has died.

Watts was the drummer for the British rock legends for more than half a century. His publicist announced his death Tuesday afternoon, hours after his passing. Charlie Watts was 80.

His publicist says Watts passed away peacefully in a London hospital early Tuesday while surrounded by his family.