An autographed letter written by Brian Jones in 1962 is set to go on the auction block, offering a documented account of the early Rolling Stones’ efforts to recruit Charlie Watts as their drummer. The correspondence, obtained directly from Watts’s sister and kept within the family for more than sixty years, marks the first public unveiling of this historical artifact.
At the time of the letter’s composition, Watts was employed in the advertising industry while performing with Alexis Korben’s Blues Incorporated, a prominent act in London’s emerging rhythm and blues movement. Jones’s note to Watts, addressed to his Wembley residence, was initially met with hesitancy from the drummer regarding formal commitment to Jones’s still-unnamed ensemble. The letter includes Jones’s pitch for why Watts should transition to his group, emphasizing their musical cohesion and quality. In a notable postscript, Jones describes the band’s instrumentation and candidly critiques their existing percussionist, stating the drummer was inadequate for their ambitions.
Watts officially joined the Rolling Stones approximately seven months following Jones’s recruitment letter, in January 1963. By this point, bassist Bill Wyman had also been added to the lineup. The band performed their first documented show on 2 February 1963 with a six-member configuration including Watts, Wyman, Jones, Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, and pianist Ian Stewart. Richards would later recount in his memoir that the band members reduced their own spending on food to manage the financial commitment of bringing Watts into the group.
Sotheby’s specialists characterized the letter as a significant primary source documenting the formation of one of rock music’s most consequential acts. Public viewings will take place at Sotheby’s New York from 2 December to 8 December, with the auction scheduled for 15 December. Preliminary estimates place the letter’s value between $70,000 and $80,000. Watts remained the Rolling Stones’ drummer until his death in August 2021, having served the band for nearly six decades.
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