He's at the age when old age and disease start taking their toll, but it still feels strange that he's only the second Stone to pass away considering Brian died over 50 years ago.
In his own words...When people talk about the '60s I never think that was me there. It was me and I was in it, but I was never enamoured with all that. It's supposed to be sex and drugs and rock and roll and I'm not really like that. I've never really seen the Rolling Stones as anything.
Like Larry Mullen Jr, he wouldn't be the first drummer's name you would think of when talking "the world's best" but he showed enough flair and did the right things consistently and very well.
What he should be commended for is being able to endure Mick Jagger for 57 years!! In that regard he deserves every accolade going!
On waking up this morning my first thought was of Charlie - I felt so sad about it yesterday and that feeling is still with me. One of my biggest heroes is gone, I'll never hear him play live again but I am reassured that I've the memories of having done so.
The Rolling Stones are, for me and of course many others, the greatest band in history. Their back catalogue is unsurpassed and I believe it was @McBobbin who said on here about the London Stadium concerts a couple of years ago that they could have done an entirely different set with tracks they left out and it would still have been monumental.
The Stones sound in pretty much all of their songs is based on the 'beat' and held together by the drummer - the greatest band need a great drummer. People say underrated and not the greatest, probably because of the immense ego of the front man - but for me Charlie was the greatest and certainly my favourite drummer. Yes, he didn't have the wildness of Moonie or the shear power of Bonzo - but he was a consummate musician - the drummers' drummer. No Charlie Watts, no Rolling Stones.
Such sad news. Grew up with the Stones and saw them twice. Once in Hyde Park in the sixties and later at Wembley. They will always be the greatest rock and roll band in the world for me. You'll "Not fade away" Charlie. R.I.P.
Such sad news. Grew up with the Stones and saw them twice. Once in Hyde Park in the sixties and later at Wembley. They will always be the greatest rock and roll band in the world for me. You'll "Not fade away" Charlie. R.I.P.
Some years ago I was in Chicago and wandering along South Michigan Ave when I remember the Stones recording a number called 2120 South Michigan Avenue. (Worth a listen). So I hunted 2120 and discovered it was the recording studio for Chess records. It is now a museum with lots of memorabilia of the Stones and many others who recorded there.
Very sad loss, Charlie was very much the heartbeat of the Stones. He didn't need to be flashy but kept it all together. The London stadium gigs were incredible and yes, they could easily have played a totally different set without disappointing a soul. Not a bad legacy for anyone.
Disappointed - to put it mildly - that beyond a routine obit on the website, the BBC doesnt see fit to mark his passing. BBC 4 is the channel which is made for it, so much archive material which they pack the schedule with. Looked on my TV guide, and there was nothing devoted to him, albeit BBC2 has a Stones concert recording, but this is presented as celebrating 50 years of the band, and thus scheduled before his passing. I would love to see footage of his jazz band ventures, and surely if anyone can get hold of it, the BBC can.
By contrast on Twitter you can find so much coverage from the US. CNN had a 9 minute interview with Max Weinberg of the E Street Band, which was great; Weinberg seems to me to occupy the same role in his band as Charlie did, it was good to hear him say they were friends. Whether Weinberg is technically up there with Charlie, I am not qualified to say.
Comments
He's at the age when old age and disease start taking their toll, but it still feels strange that he's only the second Stone to pass away considering Brian died over 50 years ago.
RIP Charlie
Like Larry Mullen Jr, he wouldn't be the first drummer's name you would think of when talking "the world's best" but he showed enough flair and did the right things consistently and very well.
What he should be commended for is being able to endure Mick Jagger for 57 years!! In that regard he deserves every accolade going!
Rest in peace.
A great drummer and I agree with @bobmunro, no CW no Stones.
RIP Charlie god bless you and thank you!
My condolences to friends and family.
They will always be the greatest rock and roll band in the world for me.
You'll "Not fade away" Charlie.
R.I.P.
By contrast on Twitter you can find so much coverage from the US. CNN had a 9 minute interview with Max Weinberg of the E Street Band, which was great; Weinberg seems to me to occupy the same role in his band as Charlie did, it was good to hear him say they were friends. Whether Weinberg is technically up there with Charlie, I am not qualified to say.
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/aug/28/rolling-stones-share-video-tribute-to-charlie-watts