AS TRIBUTES flood in for Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts, The Argus is looking back at the band’s many visits and connections to the county.
From electric live performances to court appearances, the legendary band have been frequent visitors to Sussex throughout their extraordinary, 60-year career.
The Rolling Stones first performed in Brighton in 1964 when they took to the stage at the Hippodrome, alongside The Echoes and Kevin Scott and The Kinsmen.
In 1971, the Stones performed at the Big Apple Club, which was located above the former Regent Theatre in Queen’s Road.
Despite only being open for four months, the venue hosted artists such as Fleetwood Mac, Donovan and the Rolling Stones.
Photos taken backstage at their performance show Keith Richards tuning up his guitar and Bill Wyman relaxing before taking to the stage.
Charismatic frontman Mick Jagger gripped his microphone tightly in one hand as he delighted the gathered crowds.
In 1969, the band’s founder Brian Jones drowned, aged 27, after a party in Cotchford Farm, Hartfield, after a drink and drug binge.
An inquest recorded a verdict of death by misadventure and just two days later, the band paid tribute to Brian during a concert in Hyde Park, London.
Off stage, the band came to be just as well known for their late-night escapades as they were for their music.
One of the most infamous incidents happened in 1967 at Keith's Redlands property in West Wittering.
Mick and Keith were unexpectedly arrested for a minor drug offence when police descended on a party at the house.
The pair pleaded not guilty at Chichester Crown Court and spent time in Lewes Prison where they were held until sentencing was decided.
They faced a three-month prison sentence, but the penalty was quashed when the judgement caused public outrage.
The Times newspaper’s then editor William Rees-Mogg wrote a statement in their defence, claiming they were being treated unfairly because of their public profile.
Half a century later, Sir Mick told the same newspaper: “The Stones were good targets. We made good copy.
“It was the idea of degenerative moral standards. They (the establishment) were looking for scapegoats for some sort of generational lifestyle thing.”
Keith still lives in West Wittering and in a letter to The Argus, a resident of the village said the rockstar was “quickly taken into the hearts” of the people who lived there.
The guitarist, however, was not the only member of the band to settle in Sussex.
Charlie Watts, who died on Tuesday at the age of 80, lived in a picturesque house in Lewes in the early 1960s.
He lived there with his wife Shirley, who he remained married to until his death.
In archival television footage showing an interview with Charlie from the Sixties, the drummer can be seen in his country garden.
Shirley is also seen riding a horse outside the property.
Following the news of Charlie’s death, tributes poured in from across the world of rock and roll.
Sir Paul McCartney, who has a home in Peamarsh, near Rye, paid tribute to Charlie in a video post on social media.
Sir Paul said he was a “fantastic drummer, steady as a rock”.
He added: “He was a lovely guy. I knew he was ill, but I didn’t know he was this ill.
“Lots of love to his family, his wife and children and extended family. Condolences to the Stones. It will be a huge blow to them because Charlie was a rock.
“Love you, Charlie. I’ve always loved you. You were a beautiful man. Great condolences and sympathies to his family.”
Charlie, who died “peacefully” at a London hospital on Monday surrounded by his family, was considered the most mild-mannered of the Stones, providing an essential counterbalance to his more exuberant bandmates.
Mick, Keith and Ronnie Wood have all paid poignant tributes to their former bandmate.
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