The current Rolling Stones drummer
As of 2026, the drummer for The Rolling Stones is Steve Jordan. Since the death of longtime drummer Charlie Watts in August 2021, the band has performed with Jordan as their touring and recording drummer. This status clarification confirms the active lineup while acknowledging Watts’s foundational role in the band’s enduring sound. Below, we detail the transition, the members involved, and the legacy each brought to the group.
Charlie Watts: the long-serving foundational drummer
Role and tenure
Charlie Watts joined The Rolling Stones in 1963 and remained their drummer until his death in 2021, spanning nearly six decades of recordings, tours, and cultural impact. His steady, jazz-influenced style helped define the band’s rhythmic identity across genres from blues rock to hard rock.
Verified details
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Joined | January 1963 | Band biographies / interviews |
| Last performance with the Stones | August 2021 (pre-recording work for ‘Blue & Lonesome’ and later sessions) | Band statements |
| Date of death | 24 August 2021 | Official obituaries |
| Role post-2021 | Deceased; legacy drummer | Public memorials |
Transition to Steve Jordan
Steve Jordan’s background
Steve Jordan is an American drummer, record producer, and songwriter known for his work with Paul Simon, BB King, and many others. He had previously collaborated with members of The Rolling Stones in various settings before stepping into the role left by Watts.
Adoption and public acknowledgment
The band publicly acknowledged Jordan as their drummer beginning in 2022, featuring him in promotional images, interviews, and live performances. This marked a formal shift in the active lineup while maintaining the classic Stones sound audiences expect.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Joined The Rolling Stones (role) | 2022 (touring and recording duties) | Band announcements |
| Primary role | Drummer and occasional backing vocalist | Promotional material |
| Notable prior collaborations | Paul Simon, BB King, others | Credits databases |
Lineup context: the current core members
Understanding who plays drums for The Rolling Stones is clearer when you see the broader current lineup. The band continues to present a stable, widely recognized configuration for touring and recordings.
- Mick Jagger — lead vocals, harmonica, guitar
- Keith Richards — guitar, backing vocals
- Ronnie Wood — guitar, pedal steel guitar, backing vocals
- Steve Jordan — drums (since 2022)
Legacy and continuity
The shift from Charlie Watts to Steve Jordan was handled with significant care to preserve the band’s legacy. Watts’s influence remains deeply felt in the band’s approach, while Jordan brings his own precision and versatility to the kit, supporting both studio work and large-scale touring. This balance helps The Rolling Stones maintain performance consistency across decades.
Quick comparison
| Drummer | Tenure with The Rolling Stones | Primary contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Charlie Watts | 1963–2021 | Foundational rhythmic voice; defined classic groove |
| Steve Jordan | 2022–present | Live performance and recording continuity; modern production context |
Key takeaways
- The current Rolling Stones drummer is Steve Jordan (2022–present).
- Charlie Watts was the band’s drummer from 1963 until his death in August 2021.
- Jordan’s role is focused on live shows and studio sessions, maintaining the tight, reliable performances the band is known for.
- The public transition was clearly communicated by the band to honor Watts while ensuring musical continuity.