Charlie Watts, the rolling Stones one and only drummer, died today at the age of 80. He underwent an undisclosed medical proceedure earlier this month which was successful. However, he took a pass on the Stones upcomming tour. He was not a flashy drummer like Kieth Moon. Instead, he just sat back and kept a solid beat for the band. It will be interesting if the band will continue to tour without him. He was an integral member of the band.
And I always thought it would be Keith.
I was just talking to my daughter, who last saw them in 2012 at Hyde Park, sitting outside the fence with friends, pizza and a six-pack.
I last saw them the same year, at Oakland Coliseum Arena.
Conversation ahread of me in the urinal lines.
“Great concert, but dude, the chicks are old!”
“Dude, look in the mirror”.
Bill
I saw them play a couple of times in Chicago. Kieth, Ron and Mick would strut around the stage and Charlie would just sit back and hold a rock solid beat. The Stone’s sound would be very different if they had a different drummer. They played simple, gorgeous rock and roll. If somebody landed here from another planet and asked, “What’s rock and roll?” All you would have to do is play a Rolling Stones song.
Funny you should mention that.
One of the photos I’ve used for years as rotating screensavers is a casual photo of those four – with Mick, Keith and Ron looking the usual hard-used leather-clad rock gods…and Charlie at the end with a little half-smile, wearing a button-down shirt and looking for all the world like your average college professor.
Always admired his low-key, business-like approach…as well as his phenomenal talent. He will be missed.
Major Grief! I met him and the group whilst marshaling on the airfield at the Silverstone race circuit in the 1970’s! What a gentleman, so great to chat to, he had all the time in the world to talk and also ask questions of what we did. RIP Charlie, a great loss.
Now, how cool is this guy?
The Stones were interviewed during their last tour. Someone asked Charlie why he still tours at his age. His answer, “Because they pay me really well.”