Charlie Watts "If It Ain't Got That Swing"

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[@samdavepollard]

My step-father was a carpenter. In the 60’s, the firm he worked for got a job making some alterations to the house that Charlie Watts had bought in Lewes (near Brighton, about 50 miles south of London). Dad’s first day on the job, he and his mate went out to the van and were sitting in the vehicle, just about to make a start on their lunch, when Charlie’s wife Shirley came out and asked them what they thought they were doing. ‘Just going to have our sandwiches,’ they said. She insisted that they come back in the house and eat at the dining table with her and Charlie who were also just about to have lunch. She’d just made some soup. The four of them sat and had their lunch together. Dad was working there for a few days, and also saw Charlie a few times when he’d pop into the workshop, in the town, and ask how the work was going. Dad could remember Charlie showing him his collection of Jazz records. Dad said there was absolutely nothing of the rock star about Charlie Watts. If you hadn’t known who he was, you would never have guessed that he was a star. He had zero airs and graces and never treated Dad and his mate with anything other than total respect, just an ‘ordinary’ guy, pleased that these two craftsmen were able to help him get the house the way he wanted it. I miss my step-father. He was one of the good guys. Not surprisingly, I guess, Charlie’s always been my favourite Rolling Stone. :-)

[@valeriefouchey4201]

Sam Pollard

[@hang-sangitch]

Sam Pollard That IS a great story 😊 Thanks for sharing it. This has made me like him even more! What a sound man he is. Humility is inspiring

[@samdavepollard]

Colum Nolan - Hey, I never miss a chance to tell that one. :-) Many Thanks for your comment.

[@yysyrwyyduejebdyri6238]

Nice. Now I'm just a kid and it is very nice to see nice comments about my Great Uncle (Charlie Watts) and Aunt (Shirley)

[@dariusthepersian8359]

Solid guy, is Charlie. A totally bullshit-free fella.

[@Chompingsharks]

Charlie Watts is my favorite Stone.

[@SoulDaddy33]

Years ago on the Voodoo Lounge tour in San Diego I remember when they did the typical introductions near the end of the show - "here's Mick, this is Bill", etc., and of course they all got big rounds of applause, but guess who's was the biggest ... you got it, Mr. Watts. It was so awesome, I loved it.

[@Sidetrackification]

was,RIP, Charlie Watts. ..

[@MamaBoots007]

I hope he knew we loved him, whether he could play like the greats he so admired, or not.....❤💔

[@davebrokenshire1086]

Was, my friend, was your favourite Stone. Heartbreaking, isn't it?

[@KnightOnBaldMountain]

He’s intriguing. My favorite Stone too. Also, I agree with him concerning drum solos- I’m not a fan. I love drums, but I agree with Charlie. It’s an accompanying instrument.

[@cordelialearjet6495]

Charlie Watts expresses astonishing humility . That also made him so great, because he kept watching other drummers and learning.

[@XJ1100J]

This is how a good person should be in the world. Such a brilliant musician and such a nice man. He is another example of a hero, someone we should all aspire to be more like.

[@porpster]

RIP Charlie. You are a legend and will be missed.

[@jimrobertson6283]

What a humble modest and honest man charlie is and one hell of a drummer

[@paulbrewer2374]

Charlie was a sweet cat. He had the heart and soul of a jazz drummer who just happened to be an excellent rock ‘n’ roll drummer, too. And all of that worked out so beautifully for him and for everyone who ever heard him play. Peace in eternity to you, Charlie. You were a gem.

[@MariaLopez-hc2nm]

You said it! A Sweet 🐱🐈❤️❤️🎵🎵

[@what9443]

He's quite the gentleman, and so humble.

[@willbrasil]

He's so humble that he forgets how god-like he is for the rock & roll...

[@bluesfan582]

Modest, self-effacing and thoroughly likable. After all his successes with the Rolling Stones, his feet are still firmly on the ground, there is nothing delusional about Charlie and he still has a driving desire to improve. What an example he sets.

[@drbonesshow1]

+Blues fan And still alive.

[@MissOrchid12]

Blues fan Nevermind the fact he ignored the groupies & remained loyal to his wife since '64!

[@pledgestone]

@@MissOrchid12 He remained married, they probably had an arrangement. I doubt he didn't stray from time to time.

[@paulamarienocon51]

I am lost in admiration. An artist and a gentleman through and through.

[@wizardofx]

One of the classiest musicians in music. I love Watts' style. It's more difficult than he makes it look.

[@truckeemick2486]

that's right . ive been listening to his drumming nearly all my adult life, and that's longer than I care to admit, and while it may sound simple, theres more to it as he plays off keith and they get that unique stones sound. and of course he may be rocking but he's swinging as well. tasteful. so solid. such a solid base for the band., he's probably the most copied drummer of all time.

[@nomorebushz]

wizardofx You’re right… It’s not easy playing Charlie style with the high hats keep time and then with his left hand he snaps the snare on two and four and instead of keeping the timing on the high hats like most drummers do every time that snap on the snare hits he does not hit the hi hat. I’m an oboist and a guitarist but I am intrigued every time I watch Charlie Watts play and he’s humble about his skill, and one thing about him… He is like a human metronome. Keith is right if he would ever say there would be no Rolling Stones without Charlie Watts.

[@joelarkin3714]

@@nomorebushz The Stones are now a thing of the past. Whatever Mick does will not be the same and he'd be deceiving his audience by billing whatever band he comes up with as The Rolling Stones.

[@glennhavinoviski8128]

@@truckeemick2486 What was unique is he let Keith's guitar lead ever so slightly which gave the music that little bit of swing. He led from behind.....

[@davebrokenshire1086]

​@@glennhavinoviski8128 Exactly! I was struggling to put that into words, but you've said it for me.

[@FIK1984]

R.I.P. Charlie Watts. Thank you for everything.

[@theresechristiansen9769]

Everyone's gone to the channels with the Stones, but I had to come here. Not that I didn't like the Stones sometimes, but I loved Charlie's jazz. I loved that he adored Ringo's intuitiveness, & Charlie Parker and Charles Mingus. Watts was a terrific all rounder & never bounced around being arrogant & sniping.

[@TheGhost5600]

Even when Charlie smiles he doesn't look like he's smiling. Haha. Such a great modest man.

[@91Kingscrib84]

Saddest news to learn Charlie has passed. He was the backbone of The Rolling Stones. R.I.P. 🥁

[@nthdegree1269]

this is what I love about the Stones. You got a guy like Charlie Watts talking about being blown away by that guy in New Orleans, that no one has heard of, but his "5 mates"-the guy who really puts you in your place. Here is a guy who has had it all, and that guy in a small pub who can do more then him, impresses him more. This interview is golden!

[@AgimLubonja]

There is never a great band without a great drummer.

[@MrBandsix]

Exactly! NEVER!

[@SonicAdolescent]

Charlie is without a doubt my favorite Stone.

[@tinak5765]

Another icon gone. But what a mark he made in his lifetime. I got to hear him with the Stones in concert in their early years and a few years ago. Self taught summer. Amazing. Such an elegant man. What a juxtaposition in a rock band.

[@Miyagos]

I love to see Charlie smiling! :)

[@davidfox2586]

Just amazing how he gets that great sound with the stones with such a small kit. I love the fact he is so humble

[@andzwe]

Mick Fleetwood about Charlie Watts (who's in his top 5 of favorite drummers): "Charlie totally came out of the whole jazz­, traditional jazz, and blues explosion. He's a little older than me, but the reality is that we came from the same generation. When I saw the Rolling Stones, they were so cool, and I learned to love a lot more about Charlie Watts and how instrumental he was as a power. He knew his stuff and had a huge influence on the early Stones, who they were, what they liked, and what they did, and not many people know about that. He's the master of what I call 'falling off a log.' His feel is always relaxed behind the beat, hence falling off a log, and catching it in the last split second. That's Charlie, and not many people can do that. Sometimes you think, 'Is he gonna make it?' And then he whacks you over the head at the last second and you go, 'Whoa, that's so cool!' Charlie is the dude who mastered that. I'm a huge Stones fan, and he is one big feelmonger. Charlie does a lot with very little, which is certainly why he's one of my heroes. The only musical wet dream I've ever had is that Keith [Richards] phoned me up and said, 'Charlie's got the flu, can you play in the Rolling Stones?' But it never happened. I played with Keith a few times, but not in the Rolling Stones. What a great band. They say a band is only as good as their rhythm section. I cannot imagine the Rolling Stones without Charlie Watts (my personal favorite drummer to date). He is their secret weapon."

[@eg4449]

Thanks for posting this, absolutely fascinating comments by Mick Fleetwood.

[@marceibel1131]

There is nothing but the truth. Mick himself is a class of its own.

[@centinela24542]

Bill Wyman also came from the Jazz

[@jamesdananay3390]

Charlie is CLASS through and through.

[@Sugarman44]

Charlie - you are the glue that has woven the soals of many of us who are 20 years younger and heard you in our cribs. Cheers.

[@superstardestroyer92]

I never could afford a drum kit when I was a child, but I always wanted to, and it was because of this man. He was the reason I started to play bass and guitar with a rhythm approach. He got me into jazz and into having a jazz-playing approach to every genere. The news about his passing have devastated me, and so many others. It's a world without the stones now...a much less magical place.

[@tomcass2.030]

glad he didnt go to music school, Charlie is up there with the greats, like Ringo, Moon and Bonham, the minute you hear them play, you know who it is!

[@stellalush4547]

Beautiful Charlie Watts, one of the greatest drummers of our time... Love, blessings, and respect, to his beautiful girls, Shirley, Seraphina, and Charlotte... We will forever 'Miss You'.

[@lesternesterenco3957]

No musician ever feels they're really good. Every musician stands in awe of someone else with, they think, better chops. So, the thing is, forget about it. No matter what anybody says (ie fans) it ain't a contest. It's a life journey. That's what I learned from jazz.. and I'm grateful. Charlie is Mr Cool. The coolist guy ever!

[@artsmithdrums]

Charlie Watts, the coolest drummer.......ever!

[@michaelcurtis8515]

Charlie you are the best argument there is for talent versus being taught.

[@clarkewi]

Charlie Watts is one of the greatest drummers.

[@kitcobain444]

You're there Charlie Watts, you are there. Heaven just got jazzier...💛💛💛

[@BoStone]

RIP Charlie. The Stones just lost its engine :(

[@solarwave]

I've never seen a stadium full of people bounce in time the same way it does at a Stones concert... all because of Charlie with his little kit.

[@garciamiki]

The Stones lost their heartbeats...RIP Charlie. As a drummer, I've learned a lot from watching you.

[@anthonygreen524]

RIP Charlie. I still remember shooting this interview with you at the George V in Paris and feeling so lucky to have been touched by your talent and boundless humility.

[@stevenwiederholt7000]

"I never liked drum solos." Many many many years ago I played (at) drums, always felt the same way. RIP Charlie One more part of my youth Gone.

[@jasondean352]

What Charlie Watts teaches me is .... Be happy with what I got, and I love what I got, Meaning what I am able to accomplish with my drumming, what I can do, How I am able to sound, how I am able to feel while playing the drums.

[@backbeat3451]

I could listen to Charlie (both drumming and his views) all day, and I'm glad he never formally learnt to play as that's what makes him a genuine one off.

[@bethmcavoy8062]

Respect! Any everything else! Love, admiration, reverence. Charlie is a true gent, a magnificent artist, and a mentor to anyone who wants to be a musician, whether amateur or professional. I can remember as a kid being able to see how distinguished a drummer he was; he was tucked behind the others, but never hidden. Always distinct, unique.

[@cirimaxg651]

Excellent Charlie watts !

[@akeeriksen3484]

What a gentleman and what a drummer? The best drummer ever!

[@docludiTWISTEDSOUL]

Charlie just makes me smile everytime he reflects on his connection with the Stones.

[@thedaganmall]

Rest in peace. The greatest to ever play the kit.

[@Ccarool1]

RIP Charlie. Such a genius

[@jennyoshea1958]

RIP Charlie. You were my favourite stone. I admired your ability as a brilliant drummer but also the sweetness of your personality. We have lost a great man not only to Rock'n'roll and jazz, but to humanity 😢🌷❤️🌹

[@ridif]

what a wise .. sage... gentleman.. Old school drums.. immaculate taste and the man who put the soundtrack to rock and roll.. minimalist and Humble Stone.. the now generation of non-musician indie emo ego clones can learn much from you CW.. god bless the Stones..

[@patbrennan6572]

a true professional, mr watts got that swing..

[@bobkuzminski237]

J

[@SunSound7]

Love you Charlie Watts. You're a wonderful drummer and wonderful person as well.

[@willemgroen7546]

RIP, his legacy lives on forever

[@hershysquirts187]

Charlie Watts is the fucking man.

[@mrdandrea]

Man, this video has some great clips of Charlie on the drums while the Stones play "Miss You"

[@j3nny3lf]

RIP Charlie, the backbone of my youth.

[@jonbcaliman]

Just. A. (Humble). Legend.

[@emilywhidden3584]

What style and class this man had. We won't see it again.

[@joeritchie7286]

I also learned to play by watchin Charlie

[@pledgestone]

Me too.

[@miahleissa9599]

Charlie, your way sure worked well for you! :) Thanks for all you have given us and continue to give over and over again. :) You rock. Shine on!

[@adamseider4078]

R.I.P THE GREAT CHARLIE WATTS WE WILL MISS YOU. ONE OF THE GREATS!!!!

[@shubbymanila]

This little doc needs to be seen by millions more people, seriously. What a lovely guy. RIP Charlie.

[@johnIZaUWL]

We lost an F’ing BRILLIANT beautiful soul today everyone 😢😢😢💜🤘 Rest in badass power Charlie 💜

[@mysticalmargaret6105]

Forever a Rock n' Roll legend. Goodbye Charlie. 🙏😢💔💔💔🎼🎶🥁🥁🥁

[@67maverick]

As I hear Keith Richards once said (which amazed me) "If Charlie quits Rolling Stones I go too"! I did not know that Charlie was THAT important to Keith.

[@HibernusMortis1]

Keith has always had respect for Charlie.

[@jumpinjack889]

"Charlie is the bed that I lie on" KR

[@glennhavinoviski8128]

@@HibernusMortis1 Charlie's genius was relying on Keith to lead ever so slightly (like Basie always led his band with his piano), and the beat would come just in time. That's why the songs always feel so danceable.

[@groovesinman9112]

This man is my favorite drummer of all time. Miss You Charlie. He inspired me to drum rock n roll, blues, and jazz. Wouldn't be where I am without discovering hom and the Stones

[@NorCalKreechur]

I've only been playing / studying the drums for 11 months. Charlie Watts is by far on the forefront of my influences, and then I hear him here and once again I am completely blown away by what he has done, who he is, and his humility. I can only say unbelievable. What an amazing musician.

[@patrickmcpartlin3499]

Rip legend you'll be sadly missed 😢

[@mekos]

One classy gentleman. I've always been a fan. I love that he loves jazz.

[@Brigid]

Fly High Mr Watts! You're the MAN!

[@rickbarker4121]

RIP Charlie! You were one of the best drummers of your generation!

[@julesotis13]

if u aint got that swing you aing got that thang... RIP to the great Charlie Watts

[@mackb909]

Happy 70th Charlie! Gentleman, quiet-spoken engine of the Stones for 48 years, Charlie Parker devotee/scholar, man who has worked with Keith Richards and put up with Mick Jagger (kidding, Sir Mick!), loving husband of Shirley and father of Seraphina, devoted grandpa to Seraphina's little girl. Love you, man! Long may you drum!

[@ScottM83]

you'll always be a legend charly.

[@rickkeogh1163]

Keith Richards once said that there were two people that he'd known who never had a bad thing said against them: Charlie Watts and Ian Stewart.

[@runtifish]

Time, space, groove and feel! He makes it look so easy.

[@tyecook9630]

been listening lately to the live bootleg Brussels affair from 73 and charlies drumming on it is amazing. there's a moment in cant always get what you want near the end of the sax solo where he does this kinda stuttering thing that turns into fast roll into a cymbal "woosh" all in one motion that resets the tempo and pulls everything together perfectly. Its one of my favorite live Charlie moments, search it out and you'll know it when you hear it. .

[@AllisterCooper2008]

Charlie Watts IS the Rolling Stones. - Keith Ri- Oh, you know.

[@Chicagohitman000]

Charlie possessed humility.the greatest gift that any man can ever have far above and beyond his craft or status.

[@jesseavard9028]

Rest In Piece Charlie, you will be missed

[@4theloveofgrace]

This man personifies humility, class and cuteness! Love this! Thank you...

[@silverthreadsamongstthegol7643]

The epitome of Grace and Humility. Unique . We will never see or hear the like of again.

[@haroldkreye8770]

Class and humility on display. Thanks Charlie.

[@FernandoBernall]

R.I.P Maestro.. Thanks for the great beats!

[@wk4240]

Mr. Watts did go to class, . . . real class, . . . observing and learning from others. RIP

[@NewMadrid01]

Him Bill and Brian are my favorite stones. now he is the only one left. stick with the stones charlie. they need you man.

[@tita4ewaz]

I only learned to play drums by watching and listening and that includes you Charlie. I miss you so much and I thank you so much. You were the f'n best without saying so

[@budahbaba7856]

Later on in life, i was influenced by the great jazz drummers from the 30's-50's. But my living experience, just as Charlie Watts talks about watching other drummers, my first orientation with drummers was watching Charlie Watts in the Rolling Stones videos that i was able to grab on TV. And something i noticed right away with him, he was not like your typical rock & roll drummer. His core was not in the rock & roll illusion, he was always into the music. You could tell both by sight & sound, he was always interested in the music.

[@AnanasHasstra]

Rest in peace, you stylish honourable legend of rock 'n' roll!

[@garryfuller3400]

That’s the most I’ve herd him talk in 50 yrs. JK... Hats off Mt Watts. What a gentleman & what a drummer . Malcom Young Forever..

[@WolfgangvonBoyen]

Humility is the greatest talent of this wonderful soul

[@frankcorral4981]

What an extraordinary gentleman. My favorite of my favorite band.

[@thekriks]

total respect to you, Charlie. always most tasteful in your playing - I, too, learn to play by watching and you are one of the main ones I watch!

[@Trey7105]

He's so wise and knowledgeable. I love his opinion on everything. There's something that's really cool and calm about him. I could listen to Charlie talk all day. And of course such an phenomenal drummer and so cool to hear him crush jazz! Miss u Charlie. 💚

[@salortiz3528]

Settle down Charlie. you are one of the most unique drummers in the world You have a style and technique that is only yours. With out a doubt my favorite Stone....🥁

[@maryhirsch7170]

You didn't need classes because you were class, we all loved Charlie ❤

[@martinaakervik]

He was the true example of how to approach the music, people to play with and your instrument.

[@Staerke1]

Charlie watts is without a doubt my favorite stones member and actually a really good drummer. he has a nice feel of the drums ; )

[@dushman888]

Rolling Stones' his day job. Jazz man is his vocation.

[@gaynoreld]

Such a humble sweet man R.I.P Charlie

[@maryschneider2759]

Lots of people are Hands on learners. I think they have an upper hand in their craft. Thank you

[@tleatherland]

The Engine!