Charlie Watts' Hi-Hat Story

[@drumchannel]

RIP Charlie Watts. We are so grateful to have had Charlie discuss his amazing life on Drum Channel. His memory and legacy will forever live in our hearts.

[@trumptorianguard4617]

Title should be: “Charlie Watts Listens as People Talk About Hi Hat”

[@Nate_Higgins]

By "people" you mean "one of the greatest drummers of all time Jim Keltner"

[@zulmarlopes6021]

Charlie Watts was never the most flashy drummer. He wasn't known for the frenzied solos of Cream's Ginger Baker, or for placing explosives in his kick drum like The Who's Keith Moon. Instead, he was the subtle, stoic heartbeat of The Rolling Stones for almost 60 years. We all Brazil fans will miss Charlie... RIP 🇧🇷

[@jaolin6042]

Jim Keltner telling Charlie Watts about hanging out with Levon Helm in Sammy Davis Jr's house... Rock royalty overload right there.

[@TheGregory1967]

Jazz drummer. The Stones were his hobby and side gig!

[@john123wayne]

Charile looking quite dapper. yellow shirt matching yellow sox. rip charlie. ty for the great music.

[@tuliothx]

Charlie, mind you, is strictly rhythm he doesn't want to make it cry or sing. He is the sultan of swing.

[@marceibel1131]

A room full of legends.

[@austin78993]

I loved Stewart Copeland as a teen and I still do. But I remember him saying in interviews “when you get older, you’ll start to appreciate guys like Charlie watts way more” and I absolutely do. Been listening to loving cup for months and I really want that snare sound. This might be part of it!

[@chriscorley6478]

Watts. One of my favorite drummers.

[@celsoescobar9630]

Almost every kid I try to teach the basic 4/4 drumming beat does that. It's a natural reflex.

[@baldev108]

yeah or the 3 beat snare on 3. must be cosmic

[@neilcrowesongs9768]

He looks like an elegant prince amongst those guys. Looks like they're ready to duck shooting

[@patrickgroll2046]

To me the best example of when this technique fits the song to absolute perfection is Beast of Burden. If you play it omitting the hat on 2 and 4 it will have just the right sag and lope

[@lesliea.5197]

Can we just talk about how stylish Charlie is?

[@bigbrotherisasob]

It gives the beat a distinct crisp sound on its own. It's part of the reason why you can always tell a Stones song. Charlie Watts has always done it.

[@heelpayne420]

He's done it since the late 70's

[@michaelgreen5206]

Wow, Hal Blaine, Jim Keltner & of course, Charlie Watts... all drum gods for me!

[@peter359]

My gosh what a phenomenal grouping of drummers..I think if I'd walked in to that studio and seen the three of them together, I'd have been speechless.

[@stevewilcock4767]

Charlie Watts- The greatest rock and roll drummer in the world! Rock on!

[@axiomist1076]

Nice talk. Charlie's so classy, man. I love the way he dresses. He's got the soul of a 30s jazz musician. Always dressed to the nines. Expensive suits. When the Stones were into their wildest look, Charlie would always be in a nicely tailored three piece. Way to go Charles.

[@ewproductions3851]

RIP Charlie watts. Well miss you

[@cherylb2008]

Charlie.class and talent

[@walterlevesque4879]

Thats funny the end of that Jim finishes with "I never like to do the same thing over and over" Charlie should have said "I worked for me for 50 years". and it did

[@randysemenak2439]

i think this is how Charlie swings rock n roll its kind of a jazz ride straight eighth ride hybrid to me like he s playing rock but thinking jazz and lifting his hi hat stroke on the 2 and 4 its kinda cool and it does change the feel by adding tension and urgency to the beat

[@eg4449]

Great comment Randy!

[@georgelumsden4484]

I think it does the oposite i think it provides a swing 100% but also a mellow groove which is very jazz related

[@laoluu]

No wonder, every time I watch Keltner on drums, he looks so relaxed. Doesn't work up a sweat, but sounds great. Steve Gadd is a little like that, too.

[@TweedSuit]

RIP Charlie. Levon Helm is known mostly as a singer but boy he’s drumming was so cool. Both of them made their bands sound awesome.

[@RobsAdventuresAndVideos]

Rest In Peace Charlie you will always be remembered. Play those drums so we can still hear you where ever you may roam. 🎶 🥁 🥁

[@mark52111]

Leaving out that one hi hat note relieves a lot of tension when playing fast single hand 1/16ths. And also mimics the sound you get with two handed 1/16 note hi hat patterns. I didn’t hear anyone mention that.

[@truckeemick2486]

Mark M. yes when you play that note for a few bars you seem to build that tension and then when you leave it out it releases that tension. especially when playing fast.

[@seanemmettfullerton]

gotta love the humility of Jim Keltner :) and yes! sometimes a clean snare hit without hi-hat slosh can be extremely powerful and clarifying, especially when recording...

[@Ticonderous1]

It is the raising of the hi hat hand that gives The Stones a sound all of their own ...

[@eg4449]

Oh yeah....the Indespensible Mr. Watts.

[@flyingburritobro68]

Ticonderous1 no. It’s because in nearly all bands everyone follows the drummer. In the Stones they all follow the guitarist Keith Richards this causes Charlie to play slightly behind the beat. This comes straight from many interviews over the years with Charlie

[@freakbennett2263]

@@flyingburritobro68 I've hêárd Charlie talk about it tôō, jùs sàyin ¡♥️😎♥️¡

[@d36williams]

What I like in 21st century audio compression, when leaving the snare naked it brings the snare to the fore

[@gabrielabarros2036]

Charlie is always well dressed, what a fashion Man He is

[@chuckcarter1182]

I do it too, lol. Learned from Charlie and Kevin. Changed my drumming.

[@scoobydoo4087]

I took a drum lesson a few years back and the first thing the instructor said to me was that I wasn’t hitting the HH on the backbeats. I was doing Charlie’s thing for years and never knew it.

[@drumdude46]

Walked into a hollywood drum shop around 1990..... there stood Keltner. The End. ( i didn't say a word to him; weird when you 'recognize legends or greatness, 'just happen to be standing near you...and, you have no idea what to say. certainly didn't want to just do the , 'Hey...i know you!...your 'such n such'. just ...........said nothing. walked away. but was thrilled that he happened to walk into the little cymbal or drum room, i was in. just the two of us. lol!..... cool memory.

[@petermills542]

Very cool memory ! It's said that you should never meet a hero / idol because your illusions may be shattered for ever ! Personally I would love to meet Charlie & would probably end up talking about the British Weather haha , like we do !!

[@judd8935]

i just thank them, now, for so many years of joy. i got to thank bill bruford, keith emerson, ian hunter, allen holdsworth, a few others...it’s deserved, of course, and a great ice breaker. those guys all smiled and appreciated it, and chatted for a few minutes.

[@felixfelix7447]

I met my rock drumming hero. Asked for his sticks he was carrying. Then noticed they were 7a basically a jazz stick not what I was expecting. So I say these are jazz sticks man. As quick as a flash he replied...do they match? Serves me right....but he was cool ok with me. Luckily...😗😏

[@dennismason3740]

Were you at the store next to Guitar Center? Sam Ash Percussion? When I see folk whose work has inspired me I walk up to them and say, "I love your work, Mister King, thank you and be well". That's it.

[@MichaelBoltonsEntireCatalog]

Rock solid legacy. Good night, great man.

[@callmejeffbob]

Somehow this reminds me of an old joke: Q: How many drummers does it take to change a light bulb? A: Ten. One to actually do it and nine to sit around and discuss how Steve Gadd would have done it.

[@andyrobertson1300]

I love hearing about the different drummers because Ringo Bruford and of course Charlie Watts my favorite I have loved the Rolling Stones since goats head soup are all amazing people they all mean As much to me as Beethoven

[@PalindromeDesign]

Well said Charlie!

[@albertomartinez2479]

I was a young man in 1965 when I first heard Charlie and Bill Wyman live.At that time I was playing drums in a fairly successful cover band. So I paid special attention to the bottom. The Bass and Drums. I remember thinking so this is what Major League (Premier League in Britain} bass and drums sound like. Charlie and Bill very underrated IMHO.

[@edwhite7475]

i agree....Bill actually WAS the glue that held em together....and made them interesting.....the new guy is a monster jazz player but it just isnt the same.

[@clarkewi]

Charlie's sound is a huge part of the Stones sound.

[@stevedrums1675]

While playing in a Stones tribute band, I tried doing it and I got quite comfortable at it and got used to it (even had the ride with no bell!). But it certainly isn't natural to me.

[@PeteN_2]

I started emulating this style of playing lifting the stick on beats 2 and 4 of the high hat only recently in the rock idiom , so easy as it really locks in the time I found , thanks for the great insightful interview with these legendary players .

[@davidcurtis4478]

Love this story! Funny this came into my inbox this morning because last night I was teaching at my studio and had a seven-year-old kid play something which took me back and I said "what was that?" He played it again and did exactly that. I started playing and we jammed together, it was awesome 👍👍keep groovin' with passion and feel 🎶🥁😎DC

[@blairhelsing630]

I copped what I think of as "Charlie's lift" from Stones concert footage

[@Marlondurran]

Love Charlie's yellow body suit.. 🤣

[@stevedrums1675]

Love the Bill Bruford reference as he's not a name you'd expect to hear with these guys.

[@timallbritton7329]

Yeah, right? Makes me think Keltner is really into it more than I thought before, although he's always been so great.

[@francoismeynet3640]

Right!

[@briang6040]

It's not my style, but I think it looks cool. The first time I saw him do that was back in 1988 when I was 12. It's one of those things that really sticks out.

[@thereson8or]

sticks out eh?...see what you did there!

[@markmishkin6608]

I’ve always done it that way. By getting my right hand out of the way I can smack the snare much harder on the backbeat.

[@generalpatzer6893]

Legends!

[@davidpfeifer9489]

Man, three drum gods sitting there

[@lawsonj39]

The Band album with The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down was simply called The Band.

[@ericparker1346]

The Charlie Watts hi hat story; As told by Jim Keltner.. seemed a bit awkward explaining it while Charlie mostly sits there and listens. I do believe Levon did it because Charlie did it...- the rest of the guys I can't tell you, but I knew Levon pretty well and we talked about how much bigger Charlie's back beat seemed cause of no hi-hat hit.. ticking or mersey beat slosh! And we both would do it for a bigger back beat sound when needed. Not always like Charlie. ;) Cool interview just wish the guys could chime in a little more next time.

[@stevemoss947]

Let Charlie talk,,,,

[@HGH44309]

Keltners Shoes are brutal

[@jordsupp]

Jimmy Jazz But check out Charlie's groovy canary-yellow socks. So cool.

[@AndyMangele]

But probably most comfty!

[@richardwalley2862]

Jimmy Jazz almost crocs just a little worse

[@toastoftown6404]

I think the white socks is the real crime

[@kitchendezina]

Shandals

[@kikiu2619]

I never seen anyone else do it.

[@keithleeuwen877]

He is Great !

[@terminatorx2545]

It looks awkward by him lifting up. I used to think he wasn’t coordinated enough to hit the hi hat n snare at the same time. But I love Charlie. I think he’s the best!

[@kingofepicvlogs4666]

Terminator X I’ve played both. Went back and forth trying to decide which sounded better. I’ve stuck with Charlie’s way. It sounds cleaner and not as busy. It provides breakup to the steady hi-hat

[@CATgadgetsandDIY]

without sounds this looks like an interview between war veterans.. anyway I love Charlie Watts

[@jefflanham1080]

It adds a certain texture to the lope as well...

[@Enid2Sacramento]

Man, talk about drum royalty...

[@Francesco6961]

Charlie did it first, way before any of those other cats

[@bigbrotherisasob]

Correct. He's always done it.

[@ikkenhisatsu7170]

I noticed him doing it back in the early 70s. Makes for a really clean sound, too.

[@dmzabo3914]

Mick Jagger calls Charlie Watts the “Wembly Whammer.”

[@gabrieldinelli]

@Joan In Florida and Charlie replied something like "YOU are my fu***** singer".

[@jackthomson5047]

Hal blaine has played on over 6 thousands hit records!

[@tristantopambudi3186]

Cardboard box and spoons more than enough for Charlie.

[@jrosner6123]

Gives that snare it's own pocket in a way that was not done before.

[@kevinomalley7020]

I'll take my high hat off to Charlie..... He's a lovely multi millionair

[@rick4electric]

It's called "The Band"! It is the second album. "Big Pink" being the first. I crack up every time I hear the Baez version because she was so excited by the tune that she never bothered with the words, which are all wrong. It bothered Levon so much, he hated doing the song anymore!

[@gregoryhussey6477]

I do (did) that and had no idea I was doing it - now do it sometimes consciousy and sometimes not - clean backbeat though

[@34hedgehog]

Look at Charlie's face at 2:02... he doesn't do interviews, but he loves talking to drummers.

[@louiscarrillo5873]

right on man

[@kikiu2619]

er...dude...he asks Charlie Watts...not you!

[@celsoescobar9630]

I see that every child that starts drumming does that.

[@pcs56]

Good observation.

[@eightinches6094]

I play that way because it seems easier to me anyway.

[@DucksDeLucks]

Doin' that crazy hand-jive.

[@SydneyDrums]

If anyone watching isn’t sure who Jim Keltner is, please go look up his work.. whether you’re a musician or not, you know his drumming already

[@tonygiovingo6967]

Charlie did not start using this technique until about the time of the some girls album. That would be 1978. Please watch Gimme Shelter/ Ladies & Gentlemen or any other video performance of the Stones pre-1978. You will find that Charlie was playing his hats in the "traditional" manner. This would seem to jive with Keltner's recollection. Also note that Charlie does not use this technique while playing his ride.

[@bigbrotherisasob]

He's always done it. You can hear it even in the earliest of their recordings. If you know how to listen.

[@webstercat]

If you can afford it wear nice suits. Be like Charlie

[@ultrakool]

for those on here saying it looks cool, I've always thought it looked herky jerky and hesitant. something a brand new player might do..which is the complete opposite of cool.

[@JonnyJayJonson]

It might look weird but it's the sound and it works for these guys.

[@jeffbingaman2754]

I was influenced when whales breach but I still can't copy it. I just can't get the height....😐

[@SecsSells]

Good trivia question - which one has the most #1 hits? Hal Blaine

[@55vermeer]

I watched Charlie in 1972 last week. I watched to see if he did it. He didn't do it.

[@noahsmith6261]

I've noticed he didn't really start doing it until around '75-'76.

[@pac401]

And Charlie still plays that way these days.

[@josephgurzynski1053]

Why has it never been addressed that in the beginning, Charlie played matched grip and didnt have that liittle hitch? At least in his early days eith the Stones.

[@wolfgangmarkusgstrein8522]

Charlie Watts brings the viewers, Keltner talks. Jim, Charlie don´t like your shoes...

[@redrum567]

Listen & learn 😎 Cool exchange \m/

[@johnpop5066]

Interesting how nobody mentions it's a timing skip. Creates space

[@luisfernando-mm3jt]

Isto e brutal

[@erichanhauser3190]

3 on. 1 off?

[@donfewell799]

No wonder I can’t find any white socks. I need them to wear with my sandals

[@musicalchairs777]

Drum machines were cool here and there just for a trippy song or whatever novelty, like a talk box for guitar. But to make it, along with quatized drums and click tracks, the standard approach to recording as opposed to a real drummer like these guys, Gadd,Jordan,Hayward,Purdie or Porcaro breathing life into a track like only they can, just because it's more convenient is not giving the music the respect it deserves.

[@sugarjoe50]

I think that technique exerts more power on the snare (?) but l don't do it.

[@guitarswhiskeyandgolf]

I always felt Charlie was a very awkward drummer and always looked on the verge of losing it. Early stones did not have great in the pocket grooves but late 68 thru 72 it improved greatly.

[@jbstonesfan]

I'm sure Charlie appreciates your support.

[@bmillerdrums]

Shit it's really just a rest. Part of linear playing. Idk maybe Jim, Charlie, didn't take lessons but I know what he means. Its the same as say playing the bass drum with the snare on the beat of 4.. Just gives it a different sound and texture. Think of a disco beat w the hi hat hitting on all the up beats. Never connects with either the snare or bass drum. Kind of a strange video tbh. Idk these are legends and no disrespect at all but I studied for yrs w an amazing teacher RIP and he taught everything. I'm so thankful for all of his knowledge and time. Shout out to Louis Marino of Buffalo N.Y. Best teacher ever. Unbelievable player as well.

[@saint7370]

I thought i was the only one who noticed that about charlie

[@curbmassa]

I'm not a drummer but I've claimed many times that NOBODY plays the hat as well as Charlie and always got the funniest looks from drummers and other people and look, there's Hal and Jim and Charley. Hmm......

[@eddierivera8556]

papa Jo Jones mr. hi hat

[@davidjacobs2871]

Charlie doesn't know he does it? How many people have pointed that out to him?

[@gianicasarini2060]

Hello extra good

[@jefflanham1080]

Listen to the live version of ‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want’ off of the ‘Flashpoint’ album very closely...probably the single best example...it’ll knock your dick in the dirt! It’s funny these days reading all of the comments from folks trying to be smarter or more knowledgeable than they are?? Influences seem to not go back very far as opposed to when I was coming up in the ‘80s etc.....we had to work harder to find footage and versions of the greats doing their thing. Our influences went way back, even as far back as Vaudeville for certain timeless show-biz knowledge! Now it’s all at your fingertips and most are too busy thinking they are somebody. Put in a lightbulb and you’re an electrician, and on and on....

[@bobc.5698]

I do it.

[@joeb2588]

I play the same way

[@chipgaasche4933]

Congratulations, Bob. Lol

[@bobinbud]

Look like fisherman do that, kinda fisherman style.