The Rolling Stones put on an electrifying performance in Pittsburgh as band continues No Filter tour in North America - six weeks after death of iconic drummer Charlie Watts at 80
The Rolling Stones stormed the stage at Pittsburgh's Heinz Field stadium on Monday.
Putting on a typically rollicking performance, the iconic rock'n'roll group – fronted by singer Mick Jagger, 78, and guitarists Ronnie Wood, 74, and Keith Richards, 77 – delighted crowds as their No Filter tour continued to sweep North America.
It comes six weeks after the death of drummer Charlie Watts, who died aged 80 on August 24.
![Electric: The Rolling Stones stormed the stage at Pittsburgh's Heinz Field stadium on Monday (pictured: Mick Jagger, 78, and guitarist Keith Richards, 77)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/10/05/08/48777425-10060155-image-a-3_1633419315803.jpg)
Electric: The Rolling Stones stormed the stage at Pittsburgh's Heinz Field stadium on Monday (pictured: Mick Jagger, 78, and guitarist Keith Richards, 77)
![Tour: The iconic rock'n'roll group's gig comes six week after the death of drummer Charlie Watts, who died aged 80 on August 24 (pictured: Ronnie Wood, 74)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/10/05/08/48777423-10060155-image-a-4_1633419317755.jpg)
Tour: The iconic rock'n'roll group's gig comes six week after the death of drummer Charlie Watts, who died aged 80 on August 24 (pictured: Ronnie Wood, 74)
Mick put on an animated display as he crooned hits into the mic and showcased his edgy sense of style in a patterned leather jacket and tight-fitting black jeans.
Ronnie opted for an electric blue suede bomber as he energetically strummed his guitar while Keith tucked his greying hair beneath a bright yellow beanie and layered a silk purple shirt over a black tee.
The amped-up crowd threw their arms into the air while singing along to the band's biggest hits.
Speaking last month, Sir Mick Jagger said he finds it 'strange' performing without Charlie, admitting he and his bandmates are still not used to being on stage without the late drummer, who passed away in August.
![Gone but not forgotten: Last month Mick described Charlie (pictured) as the 'heartbeat' of the group, saying he was a pleasure to work with](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/30/12/48589463-10045321-image-a-8_1632999924103.jpg)
Gone but not forgotten: Last month Mick described Charlie (pictured) as the 'heartbeat' of the group, saying he was a pleasure to work with
![Energetic: Mick put on an animated display as he energetically crooned hits into the mic and showcased his edgy sense of style](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/10/05/08/48777539-10060155-image-a-17_1633419556128.jpg)
Energetic: Mick put on an animated display as he energetically crooned hits into the mic and showcased his edgy sense of style
![Bold: Keith tucked his greying hair beneath a bright yellow beanie and layered a silk purple shirt over a black tee](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/10/05/08/48777535-10060155-image-a-19_1633419560074.jpg)
Bold: Keith tucked his greying hair beneath a bright yellow beanie and layered a silk purple shirt over a black tee
![Crowds: The amped-up crowd threw their arms into the air while singing along to the band's biggest hits](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/10/05/10/48777531-10060155-Crowds_The_amped_up_crowd_threw_their_arms_into_the_air_while_si-a-3_1633426863582.jpg)
Crowds: The amped-up crowd threw their arms into the air while singing along to the band's biggest hits
![Style: Mick donned a patterned leather jacket and tight-fitting black jeans and could barely keep his hands out of the air](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/10/05/08/48777533-10060155-image-a-23_1633419572578.jpg)
Style: Mick donned a patterned leather jacket and tight-fitting black jeans and could barely keep his hands out of the air
Mick, who described his beloved bandmate as 'the heartbeat of the group', told SiriusXM DJ Howard Stern: 'Every time we get together now and rehearse, we say, ''Oh, Charlie would say this, then he would do that.'''
An official cause of death has not been revealed but he suffered from a series of health problems in recent years, including a diagnosis of throat cancer in 2004.
'We did so many shows with him and so many tours and so many recording sessions, it's strange being without him. And he said, when he was sick, he said, ''You've gotta just carry on and do this tour. Don't stop because of me.'' So we did.'
![Mick said of Charlie: 'He was a very reliable person, wasn't a diva — that's the last thing you want in a drummer'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/10/05/08/48777537-10060155-image-a-18_1633419558266.jpg)
Mick said of Charlie: 'He was a very reliable person, wasn't a diva — that's the last thing you want in a drummer'
The Paint It Black singer described Charlie as the 'heartbeat' of the group.
He said: 'Charlie was the heartbeat for the band, and also a very steady personality. He was not to be perturbed. He was a very reliable person, wasn't a diva — that's the last thing you want in a drummer.'
And it's not only on stage that Mick misses Charlie because they had a lot of other shared passions.
He said: 'I miss Charlie because he had a great sense of humour and we also were, outside of the band, we used to hang out quite a lot and have interesting times...
![Tribute: The group opened their No Filter tour with a special tribute to Charlie in St. Louis in September](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/27/06/48437037-10031723-image-a-97_1632719882136.jpg)
Tribute: The group opened their No Filter tour with a special tribute to Charlie in St. Louis in September
'We liked sports, we'd go to football, we'd go to cricket games, and we had other interests apart from music.'
The group opened their No Filter tour with a special tribute to Charlie in St. Louis in September with the show - which was previously delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic - was the iconic band's first public concert since Charlie's death.
The show opened with an empty stage and only a drumbeat, as photos of Watts flashed on a video board.
![First gig: Last month the band played its first gig since Charlie's death (Ronnie and Charlie pictured in 2017)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/10/05/10/48777567-10060155-First_gig_Last_month_the_band_played_its_first_gig_since_Charlie-a-4_1633426863584.jpg)
First gig: Last month the band played its first gig since Charlie's death (Ronnie and Charlie pictured in 2017)
![Cause of death: Charlie's (far left) official cause of death has not been revealed but he suffered from a series of health problems in recent years, including a diagnosis of throat cancer in 2004 (pictured in 2005)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/10/05/08/48777563-10060155-image-a-25_1633419673787.jpg)
Cause of death: Charlie's (far left) official cause of death has not been revealed but he suffered from a series of health problems in recent years, including a diagnosis of throat cancer in 2004 (pictured in 2005)
After the second song, a rousing rendition of It's Only Rock `N´ Roll (But I Like It), Mick, guitarists Keith and Ronnie came to the front of the stage.
In a touching moment, Jagger and Richards clasped hands as they thanked fans for the outpouring of support and love for Watts. At one point, Jagger acknowledged it was emotional seeing all the photos of Watts.
'This is our first-ever tour we've ever done without him,' Jagger announced to the crowd, adding, 'We'll miss Charlie so much, on and off the stage.'
Longtime Rolling Stones associate Steve Jordan sat in behind the drum kit for Monday's gig. He had already been slated to fill in for Watts when he trying to recover from his ailments.
![Sad loss: This is the first tour they have done without drummer Charlie (pictured performing in 2019)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/27/10/48445749-10031723-image-a-105_1632736534256.jpg)
Sad loss: This is the first tour they have done without drummer Charlie (pictured performing in 2019)
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