RIP, Charlie.

In the early 1960s when I was bitten by the rock ‘n’ roll bug, I first wanted to be a drummer, emulating both Ringo and Charlie.

https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-58316842

The two richest. Good on ya.
RIP Charlie.

Many years later, around 1991, I saw him playing live in a smallish Greenwich Village club with his jazz quintet. Marvelous concert!

Mr. Watts seemed to be the most sensible member of the Stones. Never any drug or sex shenanigans, no late-night clubbing or ego problems. He lived a quiet life and didn’t flaunt his success.

He kept a solid beat, with nevertheless a ‘loose” playing style. Certainly had a big influence on me!

Thank you, Charlie.

And Keith Richards is still alive.

RIP, Charlie.

And Charlie was hands down the best dressed rocker ever..

Found some great quotes about Charlie:

“With his limber stance, keen knowledge of jazz, and unruffled ability to make songs swing even when keeping the strictest time, Watts is regarded as one of the greatest – and most stylish – rock drummers of all time.”

Charlie didn’t like drum solos, saying: “I admire some people that do them, but generally I prefer drummers playing with the band. The challenge with rock ’n ’roll is the regularity of it. My thing is to make it a dance sound – it should swing and bounce.”

And from Keith Richards: “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.”

Then there is the classic story of the time when Mick Jagger referred to Charlie Watts as "my drummer."

Charlie socked him in the jaw, and corrected Mick: "I'm not your drummer. You're my singer."