* The Rolling Stones wouldn’t ever have been a thing without Charlie Watts’ swing. RIP, man…
It was hard to imagine the Stones without Watts even then, though. His light touch, singular rhythmic sense, and impeccable feel, as heard on canonical rock songs such as “Paint It, Black,” “Gimme Shelter,” and “Brown Sugar,” made him both the engine that powered the Stones’ music and one of the most famous and respected drummers of all time.
As Keith Richards said in 1979: “Everybody thinks Mick and Keith are the Rolling Stones. If Charlie wasn’t doing what he’s doing on drums, that wouldn’t be true at all. You’d find out that Charlie Watts is the Stones.”
Best band ever. RIP. Saw them in Champaign in 1969. My claim to fame is my future wife and I are pictured in the audience from a photo taken from back of band.
===As Keith Richards said in 1979: “Everybody thinks Mick and Keith are the Rolling Stones. If Charlie wasn’t doing what he’s doing on drums, that wouldn’t be true at all. You’d find out that Charlie Watts is the Stones.”===
Really, not more needs to be said… except for the appreciation, love, respect, and that awe that was Charlie Watts, so much so, that deference to Watts isn’t flattery, it’s honest truth that Richards was sharing… to himself… and what Watts meant to the band and it’s music.
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Aug 24, 21 @ 1:27 pm:
There is no more legendary band than the Stones. Knew Watts was sick but no way did I expect this. RIP. When it’s all said and done, and humanity has passed, I still expect Richards to be around.
“One anecdote relates that in the mid-1980s, an intoxicated Jagger phoned Watts’s hotel room in the middle of the night, asking, “Where’s my drummer?” Watts reportedly got up, shaved, dressed in a suit, put on a tie and freshly shined shoes, descended the stairs, and punched Jagger in the face, saying: “Don’t ever call me your drummer again. You’re my f***ing singer!”
- Give Me A Break - Tuesday, Aug 24, 21 @ 1:38 pm:
Quietly, the coolest Rolling Stone. I liked his drumming but it was his sartorial style that garnered my attention. Quintessentially English. Rest easy.
I don’t comment much on my brother’s blog very often but it is worth noting that the Stones are the Miller family’s band of bands. I remember cruising around with Rich and hearing Beast of Burden come on the radio when Some Girls came out. My Dad playing Emotional Rescue 500 times in a row. Every album was purchased, and played over and over. All my brothers and I have one thing we can agree on - and that is the Stones are the greatest rock’n'roll band in the world. RIP Charlie, thank you for the backbeat.
Couldn’t have been said any better. Feel like I got gut punched today. Always knew the day would come when something like this was going to happen, but this one stings.
===My Dad playing Emotional Rescue 500 times in a row===
Understatement. Dad had that song on a loop on a 90-minute cassette tape. He played nothing but that for months. I still can’t listen to it without wincing. Tonight’s the first time I’ve played it in I don’t know how long https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTxQ601mlAY
…On that same record, listen to what Charlie’s right foot does on this one. Makes the whole song. Not only does it drive the band forward, but makes it all swing. Impeccable syncopation, but with just enough of a rough edge https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmgCy__eUa8
- DuPage Saint - Tuesday, Aug 24, 21 @ 12:58 pm:
Best band ever. RIP. Saw them in Champaign in 1969. My claim to fame is my future wife and I are pictured in the audience from a photo taken from back of band.
- Henry Francis - Tuesday, Aug 24, 21 @ 1:07 pm:
This hurts. He was the cleanest living Stone, and yet the first to die (since Jones’ premature death). RIP Charlie.
- Amalia - Tuesday, Aug 24, 21 @ 1:10 pm:
Wow. really sad. so glad I saw the Stones multiple times cause silent Charlie really had the beat and it was fantastic.
- Back to the Future - Tuesday, Aug 24, 21 @ 1:11 pm:
Read he was playing drums for the Stones for 50 years.
Time to get out those old vinyl records and crank up the record player.
- Dotnonymous - Tuesday, Aug 24, 21 @ 1:13 pm:
Charlie Watts set the beat for most of my life…may He rest in peace.
- Amalia - Tuesday, Aug 24, 21 @ 1:15 pm:
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/rolling-stones-charlie-watts-jumpin-jack-flash-1207892/
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 24, 21 @ 1:16 pm:
===As Keith Richards said in 1979: “Everybody thinks Mick and Keith are the Rolling Stones. If Charlie wasn’t doing what he’s doing on drums, that wouldn’t be true at all. You’d find out that Charlie Watts is the Stones.”===
Really, not more needs to be said… except for the appreciation, love, respect, and that awe that was Charlie Watts, so much so, that deference to Watts isn’t flattery, it’s honest truth that Richards was sharing… to himself… and what Watts meant to the band and it’s music.
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Aug 24, 21 @ 1:27 pm:
There is no more legendary band than the Stones. Knew Watts was sick but no way did I expect this. RIP. When it’s all said and done, and humanity has passed, I still expect Richards to be around.
- Keyrock - Tuesday, Aug 24, 21 @ 1:28 pm:
Charlie was my darling. This one really hurts.
- Dotnonymous - Tuesday, Aug 24, 21 @ 1:31 pm:
“One anecdote relates that in the mid-1980s, an intoxicated Jagger phoned Watts’s hotel room in the middle of the night, asking, “Where’s my drummer?” Watts reportedly got up, shaved, dressed in a suit, put on a tie and freshly shined shoes, descended the stairs, and punched Jagger in the face, saying: “Don’t ever call me your drummer again. You’re my f***ing singer!”
- Give Me A Break - Tuesday, Aug 24, 21 @ 1:38 pm:
This just stinks.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 24, 21 @ 1:49 pm:
My best friend in the whole world just played Fingerprint File on XRT–bit of a deep cut, but well worth a listen.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Aug 24, 21 @ 1:51 pm:
I love the story about Charlie punching Mick for calling Watts “my drummer.”
“I’m not your drummer, you’re my effing singer.”
Whether that really happened or not, I still love the story.
- Wensicia - Tuesday, Aug 24, 21 @ 1:53 pm:
The best Stone. RIP
- Boone's is Back - Tuesday, Aug 24, 21 @ 2:05 pm:
Lotta good memories to those songs. RIP.
- Nick Name - Tuesday, Aug 24, 21 @ 2:12 pm:
Rest in peace. It would not have been the Rolling Stones without Charlie Watts on drums.
- oifredleg - Tuesday, Aug 24, 21 @ 2:21 pm:
Quietly, the coolest Rolling Stone. I liked his drumming but it was his sartorial style that garnered my attention. Quintessentially English. Rest easy.
- phocion - Tuesday, Aug 24, 21 @ 2:32 pm:
He brought joy to millions. Lived a full life. RIP.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Aug 24, 21 @ 2:39 pm:
He was a human metronome. The beating heart of the band.
- Jimbo2 - Tuesday, Aug 24, 21 @ 2:42 pm:
Rich, you shoulda been a DJ. I am heartbroken to lose Charlie. But your selection of his work is a salve for a damaged soul.
- Etown - Tuesday, Aug 24, 21 @ 3:18 pm:
A true legend who will be dearly missed.
RIP
- JDuc - Tuesday, Aug 24, 21 @ 3:38 pm:
Sad, sad, Sad
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 24, 21 @ 4:05 pm:
I’ve been listening to the Stones for over 50 yrs. Even so, every time I listen, I hear something new and like them more. What a loss, what a legacy.
- Devin Miller - Tuesday, Aug 24, 21 @ 6:35 pm:
I don’t comment much on my brother’s blog very often but it is worth noting that the Stones are the Miller family’s band of bands. I remember cruising around with Rich and hearing Beast of Burden come on the radio when Some Girls came out. My Dad playing Emotional Rescue 500 times in a row. Every album was purchased, and played over and over. All my brothers and I have one thing we can agree on - and that is the Stones are the greatest rock’n'roll band in the world. RIP Charlie, thank you for the backbeat.
- JDuc - Tuesday, Aug 24, 21 @ 9:52 pm:
Devin-
Couldn’t have been said any better. Feel like I got gut punched today. Always knew the day would come when something like this was going to happen, but this one stings.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Aug 24, 21 @ 10:08 pm:
===My Dad playing Emotional Rescue 500 times in a row===
Understatement. Dad had that song on a loop on a 90-minute cassette tape. He played nothing but that for months. I still can’t listen to it without wincing. Tonight’s the first time I’ve played it in I don’t know how long https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTxQ601mlAY
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Aug 24, 21 @ 10:10 pm:
Last night, I was dreaming how you’d be mine
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Aug 24, 21 @ 10:23 pm:
===Rich, you shoulda been a DJ===
When I was 16, I worked at a radio station and my date car was a white 1963 Cadillac convertible. I really thought that was my destiny.
Times change.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Aug 24, 21 @ 10:53 pm:
===Fingerprint File===
Great high-hat work and a sophisticated disco beat before there was a common disco beat.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Aug 24, 21 @ 10:58 pm:
…On that same record, listen to what Charlie’s right foot does on this one. Makes the whole song. Not only does it drive the band forward, but makes it all swing. Impeccable syncopation, but with just enough of a rough edge https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmgCy__eUa8
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Aug 24, 21 @ 11:00 pm:
“The drummer thinks that he is dynamite” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mphSvuLGAQo
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Aug 24, 21 @ 11:03 pm:
“Charlie’s good tonight, innee” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtno1O7NIGQ
- Mama - Tuesday, Aug 24, 21 @ 11:20 pm:
RIP Charlie… He will be rocking out in the sky from now on.
- TinyDancer(FKASue) - Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 1:25 am:
N-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o(banned punctuation mark)
Too soon. Too soon.
RIP, Charlie Watts.