Charlie Watts RIP

Say Your Number · 24-08-2021 4:48pm #1

Not a massive fan of the Rolling Stones, but was always impressed with drumming on any track I heard, the man was a real legend, may he rest in peace.

https://twitter.com/Variety/status/1430207396899692551

archfi · 24-08-2021 4:50pm

Just read that, 58 years in the band, phew!

RIP

PTH2009 · 24-08-2021 5:05pm

Ah darn was not expecting that news RIP Charlie

Saw the stones in Croke Park a few years back and it was a great concert

silliussoddius · 24-08-2021 5:07pm

Paint it Black, some drum intro.

Say Your Number · 24-08-2021 5:12pm

Love the story from Keith Richards book, where Jagger rings his hotel room and asks 'Where's my drummer?' Watts shows up a few minutes later grabs him and says 'Don't call me your drummer again' and nearly puts him out the window with a punch.

I love that style of drumming, I know music snobs look down their noses at it, but it just sounds great.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAWjSTwvroY

Rothko · 24-08-2021 5:19pm

R.I.P.

Very underrated drummer

24-08-2021 5:34pm

Great drummer, rip.

nj27 · 24-08-2021 5:39pm

My favourite band of all time. RIP, wonder if that'll be the end of the rolling stones.

Snickers Man · 24-08-2021 5:39pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117798559#Comment_117798559

I thought the punch line was "You're MY lead singer!" :)

Thelonious Monk · 24-08-2021 7:32pm

Was lucky enough to see him live a couple of times, great drummer. He had a great life, 80 isn't a bad age considering all the booze and drugs and copious amount of vadge he was no doubt drowning in in his earlier days. Him and Don Everly are queuing up to see St Peter as we speak.

Montage of Feck · 24-08-2021 7:47pm

So they are not immortal after all, :( lol. Still had a good run though.

Strumms · 24-08-2021 8:11pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117798661#Comment_117798661

I think it has to be, his style of drumming and personality was The Rolling Stones personified... I think there would be quite a backlash if they continued minus Charlie with some session randomer ... and rightfully too.

Jagger and Richards are 78 and 77 respectfully....I’d be surprised if they continued.... minus their lifelong pal and bandmate.

apart from the emotional disconnect of missing their pal... finding another drummer with the same style, suitability, and ability would be a challenge and time consuming and some.

Then... they rehearse a lot of songs to tour, probably 30+ because the setlists are quite varied... so to try and look for a new drummer, months of rehearsals..planning a tour...

i might be wrong but if I’m putting a hundred euros on it the Stones are finished... they leave an incredible legacy, hundreds of great songs and memories which live on, Charlie was the beat and heartbeat of it all... I never really appreciated how good a drummer he was until I saw them live back in 2003 I think.... seemed like a pretty decent skin too..... leaves some legacy.

rolling boh · 24-08-2021 8:45pm

A fantastic drummer the recent operation given his age and earlier health issues proberly was a lot more serious than reported .Would be a big fan of the band I know he was not playing on the tour coming up but not sure it would be the same without him anyway .

degsie · 24-08-2021 8:55pm

Another good one gone! RIP

PTH2009 · 24-08-2021 9:53pm

He seemed a quite enough guy but I'd say he lived the rock star life and enjoyed a drink or 3

The stones have a tour scheduled for the Sep/Oct and Nov of this year in the states and they have a guy named Steve Jordan on drums who was announced as a stand in for Watts a few weeks ago. Reckon the band knew his health was bad. Reckon it will be quite hard for them esp looking over and not seeing Charlie on the drums

Rothko · 24-08-2021 10:03pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117799134#Comment_117799134

Keith Richards is

24-08-2021 10:15pm

RIP Charlie

Riddle101 · 24-08-2021 11:47pm

Fair play to him for making it to 80. With all the wild partying and drinking and drugs they did, not to mention that he had throat cancer at one stage, he lived a long life. Rest in Peace.

Wibbs · 25-08-2021 10:48am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117799054#Comment_117799054

While he had a period in the 70's of the booze and drugs alright, to the degree that even Keith was concerned, on the women front he was by all accounts not into that and was faithful to his wife who he met and married before the fame and madness started. Now that's a rarity indeed.

He wasn't the most innovative or "best" drummer of his time by any stretch of the imagination, but his style completely fitted and formed the band's sound. That's not an easy trick to pull off either.

loyatemu · 25-08-2021 10:52am

Jagger and Richards are 78 and 77 respectfully....I’d be surprised if they continued.... minus their lifelong pal and bandmate.

I'd expect them to continue, they were planning to tour without him soon anyway due to his illness. Mick n' Keef are the Stones, the loss of Jones and Wyman didn't stop them before.

Royale with Cheese · 25-08-2021 10:53am

I saw them twice in the past ten years, last time at Croke Park in 2018. Even though he was the oldest of them (he looked it too) he could still play perfectly, I wouldn't say the same about Keith Richards' guitar playing these days (even though I think he was actually better in 2018 than he was in 2013).

I saw they were going ahead with their north American tour this year without him and thought the end of the band must be nigh, didn't think he was on death's door though. They must be the first big rock n roll band who still pull huge crowds that will end up just dying of old age instead of retiring.

25-08-2021 11:04am

A natural talent. Jazz-capable. More than any other member of The Stones, Watts knew that it was only rock and roll, but he liked it. And he played it to perfection, finding the groove and the roll. 999 drummers out of 1,000 only ever get as far understanding the rock.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGaBlygm0UY

Ken Tucky · 25-08-2021 11:14am

RIP..Not a Stones fan but loved the early stuff. Specially the bluesy tunes they did.

I am no expert, enjoyed reading the plaudits that have been written about him today but was he really that good a drummer?? Seems the music world are talking losing a pioneer of the art! Am i missing something here? Genuine question!

Not taking away from his length of time in the band or the great tunes and live energy they had/have.

Wibbs · 25-08-2021 11:27am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117801217#Comment_117801217

The other thing we can forget is guys like Charlie Watts and Ringo came along very early in the whole rock and roll thing, before the virtuoso flashy players like Baker and Moon(same can be aid for lead guitarists of their time) showed up and the later two hour live drum solos of the 70's stuff. They were there to keep a solid beat and not a lot else really and they did it very well and they were able to evolve enough even after the super players came along. Of the two Ringo was the more versatile and innovative, but that's because he had to be as his band were. Charlie nailed the R&B feel completely and had a very laid back groove behind the beat which suited the sound perfectly. A drummer like Ringo could have played all of the Stones stuff with ease(the reverse isn't true), but it wouldn't have sounded like the Rolling Stones. Someone like Entwhistle or McCartney for that matter would blow Wyman into the weeds as a player, but again it wouldn't be the Rolling Stones. It's rarely about the virtuoso technical player, that's why cobbled together "supergroups" usually sound shíte.

Wibbs · 25-08-2021 11:30am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117801260#Comment_117801260

Compared to his contemporaries no, Watts was a pretty basic drummer. The jazz stuff is very much overplayed. IMHO for 90% of the Stones' output a halfway competent drummer would have stood in easily for him. However they wouldn't have Charlie's feel, the distinctive groove he had.

Thelonious Monk · 25-08-2021 11:32am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117801323#Comment_117801323

Tell that to Mike and the Mechanics!

Wibbs · 25-08-2021 11:35am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117801344#Comment_117801344

I would quite happily do so. 😁

Actually they're a pretty good example. Technically on point, bland as unflavoured tepid custard.

25-08-2021 11:55am

By the standards of rock and drumming, he was exceptional. Even if the jazz infusion was minimal and is overplayed; Watts must be up there with the best because of his feel, ability to find the groove and ability to find the song and enhance it (rather than merely keep time with it as is often the case w/ rock and roll drummers).

Beatles or Stones? Blur or Oasis? Watts or Ringo? The only thing I am certain of is that the British music industry's PR Hype Machine has been running for several decades and has proven extremely effective in shaping such conversations! :D Music is better enjoyed than discussed in any case. Like de man said, it's only rock and roll.

Ever tolerant Charlie putting up with country music...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyK1bZZ7E-s

Sugarlumps · 25-08-2021 11:56am

Watt’s acquired his 57 Gretsch whilst doing a recording for Ronnie Wood in LA, it was a rental from SIR. He misses the backbeat on the hi-hats, which is odd, even he doesn’t know why. Uses a china as his main crash, not the norm.

Came across as a gent. This should be the end of The Stones for me.

AllGunsBlazing · 25-08-2021 1:06pm

As long as Mick and Keef can trundle on stage the Stones will continue.

Watts was the classiest of the bunch. The only one who didn't become a parody of himself.

PMBC · 25-08-2021 1:16pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117801323#Comment_117801323

Not an argument but I'd say Charleiwas better than Ringo whom George Martin replaced on some tracks with a session man. Dont think that ever happened to CW. Whichever RIP

Say Your Number · 25-08-2021 2:09pm

Reminds me of Phil Rudd from AC/DC, he left the band, one of his replacements, Chris Slade was far superior technically, but but his drumming seemed more cold and clinical, the Stones could get a virtuoso or even a fella who replicate his style well and they won't be the same anymore, Watts had such a distinctive style.

Wibbs · 25-08-2021 2:35pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117801851#Comment_117801851

He only replaced Ringo the once on the very first track they recorded and before he heard him play, because their previous drummer had been below par so he wasn't taking any chances, even though the rest of them were saying this guy's the best drummer in Liverpool.

The thing about both of them and guys like Keith Moon and John Bonham was they were the drummer for their respective bands and brought their own feel and sound to those bands that nobody else could have to nearly the same extent and they wouldn't have worked if you'd swapped them around between the bands either. Plus and something that is often missed they all locked into their bass player and vice versa to make very bloody good rhythm sections. You see that with all great bands. That includes our own U2. Whether they appeal personally or not the Edge is one of the single most distinctive lead guitar players ever. The second he starts playing it could be pretty much nobody else. Bono has one helluva set of lungs on him and when he doesn't go OTT with the messiah stuff is one of the best front men too. But it's Larry and Adam all too often overlooked that are the heart of that band and an incredbly good rhythm section. You could wheel in two technically better players(though Larry is a bloody good drummer) or one and it wouldn't gel to nearly the same degree.

The other thing I liked about Charlie was he was an old stylee, in the background drummer. No flashiness, the solid rock they all spun around and he stayed that way from the start to the end. Keith Moon was a law unto himself and could go OTT at times. In live gigs Ringo was usually on a raised platform at the back and sometimes even at the front(and he got the most fan mail). Old Charlie would have recoiled at that suggestion and would probably have thumped whoever suggested it. 😁

silliussoddius · 25-08-2021 2:52pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117802466#Comment_117802466

Regarding U2, BB King once said there are three members in U2’s rhythm section: the Edge, the Edge and the Edge.

w/s/p/c/ · 25-08-2021 3:11pm

Was sad to read this yesterday. Like some other posters, I had seen them in Croke Park in 2018. I didn't have much expectations given their advanced ages, but they were absolutely brilliant on the night.

Always struck me of a man of class and from what I have read over the last 24 hours, sounds like he was.

The Stones will continue as long as Mick and Keef (who is immortal and will never die!!) are able to grace the stage (and there's money to be made!).

RIP Charlie, you will be missed!

bodhrandude · 25-08-2021 10:15pm

Ah sad to hear, RIP Charlie, I never ever got to see the Stones live, my brother did though in 1976, the Black and Blue tour.

PTH2009 · 26-08-2021 1:51am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117802466#Comment_117802466

Roger Taylor of Queen is another distinctive drummer

dasdog · 28-08-2021 11:14am

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDbgLJt50ss

....

fryup · 28-08-2021 1:54pm

i wonder did Charlie take a lot of 'charlie' during the years?

3d4life · 28-08-2021 2:22pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117815097#Comment_117815097

In the happeny place compared to the lovely Anita Pallenberg.

Bring back the 1960's

Spore · 28-08-2021 3:11pm

We really have to ask ourselves, what kind of world are we leaving to Keith Richards?

Strumms · 28-08-2021 11:05pm

Mad to think he was touring the world two years ago as a 79 year old drummer.

in hindsight you’d wonder why ? I’m sure or I imagine he loved the shows, but all the traveling, PR / press, rehearsals, sound checks , actual gigs, meeting fans which to some level would be unavoidable... photos of him in the last year had him looking tired, thin and considerably his age.

the number of dates a year had decreased down and it wasn’t night after night but fûck, for a man his vintage, I guess he must have enjoyed it, or was it a case that the demand and position he held he might not have felt

this was taken 15 months ago...

Not looking too great, obviously something up. Went to see them in Croker and he looked great...there. RIP Charlie

Charlie Watts RIP

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