Previously Unseen Brian Jones Letter to Charlie Watts Up for Auction, Shedding Light on Early Rolling Stones Formation

A never-before-seen letter penned by Brian Jones, the visionary behind The Rolling Stones, to drummer Charlie Watts in July 1962 is poised to capture the attention of collectors and music historians alike. This remarkable piece of rock-and-roll history, which explicitly invites Watts to join the band months prior to his eventual acceptance, will headline Sotheby’s New York’s upcoming Rock & Pop Sale. Experts anticipate the handwritten letter and its accompanying envelope will command a price between $70,000 and $80,000, offering a unique glimpse into the genesis of one of the world's most iconic bands.

The pivotal invitation was dispatched just days before The Rolling Stones were scheduled to make their official debut performance at London's renowned Marquee Club. While the group initially rehearsed with Mick Avory, who later found fame with The Kinks, and subsequently performed with Tony Chapman for several months, a permanent drumming solution remained elusive. Jones's pursuit of Watts highlights the early ambition and discernment within the band's foundational lineup.

At the time of receiving Jones's letter, Watts was drumming for Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated, a significant blues outfit of the era. Jones's compelling message articulated a clear vision: 'If you are not going to work with Alex in the future,' he wrote to Watts, 'and still wants to play R&B, we are looking for a good drummer. Already we consider our band far better than Alex’s — we are getting a very tightly-knit sound. We are rehearsing on Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays. Anyway, if you have time, let me know what’s happening. Cheers, Brian Jones.' This direct and confident appeal underscores Jones’s conviction in the band's potential and his desire for Watts's particular talent.

In a candid postscript, Jones further elaborated on the band's then-current composition, stating: 'If you are interested, our present line-up is a 2 guitars, harp, piano, + drums. We are going to use a bass guitar eventually. Our present drummer is atrocious!' This colorful commentary paints a vivid picture of the band's evolving structure and their less-than-ideal percussion situation at the time. The two guitarists referred to were Jones himself and Keith Richards, with Ian Stewart on piano and Mick Jagger handling harmonica duties. The 'atrocious' drummer was likely Tony Chapman, though the fluidity of early band lineups makes definitive identification challenging.

Despite Jones’s persuasive overture, Watts initially declined the offer, leading the Stones to continue their early performances with a rotating cast of drummers including Chapman, Steve Harris, Carlo Little, and Colin Folwell. However, six months after the initial correspondence, in January 1963, Watts ultimately joined The Rolling Stones, solidifying a lineup that would endure for decades until his passing in 2021.

This recently discovered letter enriches the extensively documented history of The Rolling Stones, offering new details about Brian Jones's critical role in shaping the band's early trajectory. Craig Inciardi, Sotheby’s music and pop culture specialist, remarks on the letter's deeply personal nature, noting that 'You can really hear Brian Jones’ voice in it, particularly in that brilliantly blunt postscript, ‘Our present drummer is atrocious!’ It’s funny, direct and full of personality, but there’s also a real sense of how determined Mick, Keith and Brian were to get Charlie behind the drums. Knowing the extraordinary musical partnership that followed makes it all the more compelling to read today.'

This correspondence not only provides a fascinating historical artifact but also highlights the foundational contributions of Brian Jones to the band's identity and enduring success, long before they achieved global superstardom. It serves as a testament to the early chemistry and the relentless pursuit of musical excellence that defined The Rolling Stones' beginnings.