'All the trappings' Charlie Watts' key to happy marriage to wife Shirley before sad death

express.co.uk:

NME."I don’t have all the trappings of that. Having said that, I do have four vintage cars and can’t drive the bloody things," he joked.He and Shirley had an often calm and peaceful life together beneath the radar in his later years, with shared activities including attending animal charity events with their adopted and much loved family pet - a greyhound.Rolling Stones fans had been left devastated when Charlie died suddenly and unexpectedly last year aged 80.He had been expected to join the band on tour in the USA but cancelled suddenly, citing a routine medical procedure.Reps stated: "With rehearsals starting in a couple of weeks it’s very disappointing to say the least, but it’s also fair to say no one saw this coming."Despite official word confirming that the mystery procedure had been "completely successful", just weeks later, Charlie was dead.The news shocked the world, as almost two decades earlier, he had battled months of gruelling radiotherapy for throat cancer and yet still made a complete recovery.Those who had seen the energetic on-stage antics he shared with the likes of Mick Jagger had no doubt believed he was by then invincible.However fans have some incredible memories of his career and legacy - as well as the revelation by Keith Richards in his autobiography that Charlie had delivered a "lethal" punch to Mick's face.The incident, in 1984, had occurred after Mick had woken him with a phone call at 5am after a rowdy night out."I said 'Don’t call him, not at this hour'," Keith recalled warning Nick."But he did, and said, 'Where’s my drummer?' About 20 minutes later there was a knock at the door."He walked straight past me, got hold of Mick and said 'Never call me your drummer again.'Then came the.