Stone’s Charlie Watts has passed
Charlie Watts has died. Made it to 80. RIP
Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts dies at 80 - BBC News
Charlie Watts has died. Made it to 80. RIP
Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts dies at 80 - BBC News
Last edited:
Damn! I had the chance to see the Stones two times, both in Milwaukee, and in concerts separated by more than 40 years. You wonder if the show will go on.
So sad. I've always liked his drumming style - not a hard basher, but a very creative drummer with a strong groove. RIP
He was the good guy of the Stones. While all the [cant even write the title of the film] was going on with the rest of the band, he was home and happy with his wife. RIP Charlie Watts.
I never like nor enjoy their music, but in any case my sincere condolences for his wife, friends and fans.
I was a bass player in a band in the late 70s / early 80s. We lost our drummer and were looking for a new one. Our lead guitarist's cousin Tony was quite a bit older than us but a well known drummer from a popular Denver band. They had just broken up, and he was preparing to move to LA. In the mean time, he acted as our scout and audition judge.
We auditioned 2 drummers and both were flamboyant Alex Van Halen wannabees with rather high opinions of themselves. Tony didn't like either of them. "Too much flash and not enough of the basics. I see it all the time."
On our next practice, Tony brought over a drummer he knew from another band. He showed up with a very basic kit. He started playing simple 4/4 beats, and I synced with him right away. He signaled changes perfectly (which is what other musicians listen for.) After about a half hour we stopped the audition and knew we'd found our drummer. He said that his main influence was Charlie Watts.
After that I started listening to the Rolling Stones a lot more. I hadn't previously paid attention to their drumming, but I totally understood and admired Charlie Watts from that point on.
We auditioned 2 drummers and both were flamboyant Alex Van Halen wannabees with rather high opinions of themselves. Tony didn't like either of them. "Too much flash and not enough of the basics. I see it all the time."
On our next practice, Tony brought over a drummer he knew from another band. He showed up with a very basic kit. He started playing simple 4/4 beats, and I synced with him right away. He signaled changes perfectly (which is what other musicians listen for.) After about a half hour we stopped the audition and knew we'd found our drummer. He said that his main influence was Charlie Watts.
After that I started listening to the Rolling Stones a lot more. I hadn't previously paid attention to their drumming, but I totally understood and admired Charlie Watts from that point on.
to repeat something I'd posted elsewhere - for me, Charlie Watts was the rock the Stones were built around, and much more besides; and here's one track I'd suggest as to why; one of my faves from this album I bought when it was released (1994?)
Charlie appears to play behind the beat but he's so right in the pocket it anchors the whole in a way that gives Mick & the rest space to be as louche for effect as anyone likes; and without which it would.not.work; not at all. His first cymbal hit is what sets the whole track running; the rest utterly nailed without flash fills, tiny drum kit but huge impact: playing just the subtle and yet - wholly-essential, and sufficient, minimum.
(and the giggle is, even that last final flourish is an exact count ..late)
The Spider And The Fly (Live / Remastered 2009) - YouTube
[NB my preferred medium is Jazz; and Charlie Watts was even finer in that vein -which was his greater passion)
Charlie appears to play behind the beat but he's so right in the pocket it anchors the whole in a way that gives Mick & the rest space to be as louche for effect as anyone likes; and without which it would.not.work; not at all. His first cymbal hit is what sets the whole track running; the rest utterly nailed without flash fills, tiny drum kit but huge impact: playing just the subtle and yet - wholly-essential, and sufficient, minimum.
(and the giggle is, even that last final flourish is an exact count ..late)
The Spider And The Fly (Live / Remastered 2009) - YouTube
[NB my preferred medium is Jazz; and Charlie Watts was even finer in that vein -which was his greater passion)
Last edited: