Charlie Watts on playing with the Stones: "Work five years and 20 years hanging around" (1986)

Charlie Watts talks to BBC music journalist David Hepworth during the video shoot of One Hit (To The Body), a single from The Rolling Stones album Dirty Work (1986)

[@sparkymcplumpthepolydactyl2079]

The fact the interviewer hung in there with Charlie, he ended up with one of the greatest quotes ever concerning the Rolling Stones

[@rpm451]

I'd think concerning ANY long-lived band.

[@dianeward5405]

That's the way it is, which is probably why some musicians get into the drinkin & druggin to help pass the time between the 2 hour gigs.. what else they gonna do...read a book?

[@erictrenbeath9680]

@@dianeward5405 That's what Rush did!

[@TomUK7]

Why not?! @@dianeward5405

[@XzanderVillo]

@@erictrenbeath9680 Rush did both haha

[@debonaire_nerd]

Charlie Watts is the greatest character i've never interrogated in L.A Noire.

[@chillindylan9828]

What?

[@jordsupp]

He really doesn’t tolerate fools. Good on him!

[@mrtablesawful]

I'm on board with these commenters. Charlie is a bit of a dullard and a bore. He should have just refused the interview.

[@petermills542]

​@@mrtablesawful Charlie was a million miles from being a dullard or a bore!! 😂 This interview did catch him seeming fed up though. May have been the early stages of his dabbling with 'heroin & brandy' ?! But his Orchestra were brilliant, fortunately I saw them at Ronnie Scott's!! ❤️

[@BM-vi5hk]

This was a difficult time in Charlie's life and it shows.

[@tchrisou812]

What was going on then?

[@BM-vi5hk]

@@tchrisou812 Excessive drug and alcohol use. Almost got divorced. 1983-86 were rock bottom. In the last few years of the 80s Charlie made an amazing turn-around, quitting smoking, drinking, heroin, and saving his marriage-- it all paid off when "Steel Wheels" came out in 1989 and the Stones were back in business.

[@tchrisou812]

@@BM-vi5hk Thanks for the reply. We all have our "demons" it seems, I'm glad he beat his. I've seen things go both ways as I'm sure you have. He must have been a strong soul to do that. My fav track off of that album is "Rock And A Hard Place". Do you have one?

[@BM-vi5hk]

@@tchrisou812 I've always liked Sad Sad Sad

[@jeroldparker7766]

@@BM-vi5hk My favorite CD, there's not one dog on the entire thing! Charlie was on fire, and his drum sound was amazing; one of my all-time favorites, thanks to old friend Don Was!

[@SophieLovesSunsets]

Charlie was a beautiful human being, his feet was always firmly on the ground, no pretentiousness, no ego, 100% real. Love him 🥁❤

[@VladimirVladimirovich1952]

No ego? lol you’re definitely a woman

[@jaygold4467]

He was a heroin addict loser. He's strung out. Can't talk.

[@TheMasonator777]

Really?!

[@finzer4000]

Love Charlie but there's a healthy dollop of ego here

[@humantacos9800]

He comes across like a douche here.

[@jamesdandy1777]

Charlie was so honest and sounded so cool when he spoke. Rip

[@AmericasChoice]

Best line in rock history.

[@robbos2611]

He doesn't want to be bothered about being famous. Just doin' his job.

[@coreyzimmerman9782]

The Jokic of drumming 🥁RIP CW

[@citizenband3327]

What an original personality.

[@huflungdung8252]

The coolest Stone by far. RIP Charlie.

[@PS987654321PS]

Are you sure about that?

[@crimsonchrome3012]

@@PS987654321PS yes he is sure

[@PS987654321PS]

@@crimsonchrome3012 I’m not so sure that he is sure. Surely.

[@crimsonchrome3012]

@@PS987654321PS stop calling me Shirley lol

[@vivienszep1730]

Totally agree. Missing Charlie🤍

[@serenhafwilliams-davies5915]

RIP, Charlie. You were incredible ❤

[@rollerball1200]

First time hearing Charlie talking. Love the way he squints at the interviewer like Clint Eastwood. Laughed my ass off! Cool guy 🐝

[@Broomehall]

What a dude ...... many would pay good money to be taught how to be that uninterested in fame, you'll be sorely missed, the Rolling Stones we knew and loved are simply incomplete without Charlie, God bless you, you were a force of nature.

[@alandolezalek9088]

Well said "incomplete". That's the reason I'm not going to see them play. It's a different band.

[@dogshark9]

Come back Charlie! Coolest Stone ever.

[@arnoldbehling]

Rest easy Mr Watts

[@edzielinski]

Total respect for Charlie. Journalist doing the usual things to get a soundbite for a magazine, but Charlie is having none of it. Props to Charlie for being a pro and being straight up and answering questions when he could have easily walked away.

[@RobinSchoutenRS]

He was dealing at the time of this interview with alcohol and drug problems. It was one of the main reasons for Mick Jagger not to tour in 1986. Difficult times for the Stones.

[@Dollijons]

RIP Charlie Watts !!

[@Mikevdog]

Apparently, Charlie just turned up and played. Thanks for asking. Keith Richards once said "Charlie would rather run a mile than do a promo"

[@okiepita50t-town28]

He’s a tough interview.

[@d_walsh]

He was a piece of work. Lol. Love it. Good ol charlie. RIP Sir

[@michaelk3007]

thank you charlie

[@JoeMullanMusic]

I love how on 2:12 he just says "Shameless..." for no apparent reason whatsoever

[@jaybowden2658]

Maybe that was his response to the response of the question… or that the tour was money grabbing lol

[@dianeward5405]

Not really, 'shameless'seems like a relevant response to how the other 3 milk the gravy train for all they can get...kind of shameless..playing the same tunes over and over, never breaking past their comfort zone - rather "shameless" don't you think?

[@OlafProt]

David Hepworth is the interviewer. Gets Charlie’s greatest quote ever out of him. Charlie was just never impressed with fame or the fascination with the band. He not rude, he’s just Charlie.

[@SuperRadfords]

R.I.P. Mr Watts :(

[@ericscottstevens]

One of the greatest rock and roll interviews ever. RIP to Charlie

[@kenhawkins1033]

I never realized how much I loved this guy until he was gone. My bad.

[@WV591]

such shy modest gentle soul man.

[@deeg8849]

0:24. Charlie’s the man. He knew the guy was taking the piss

[@tylerthompson1842]

I love how grumpy he is. Charlie’s the greatest

[@webstercat]

He wasn’t grumpy he just hated the ridiculous stupid questions…

[@revwpitt2347]

@@webstercat I thought the interviewer did OK. Charlie was notoriously unhappy being interviewed so I think this was relatively successful. Imagine being interviewed by some of the airheads that pass as interviewers today. " So tell me Charlie ....how happy are you to be in the Rolling Stones"

[@MaizenBlue81]

@@webstercathe asked good questions, Charlie just wasnt having it.

[@thewkovacs316]

this was charlie having a laugh he wasnt really big into giving interviews it's still amazing that a jazz drummer became one of the best rock drummers in history

[@howlinhonky]

The better rock drummers tended to have started out in jazz.

[@JRayBama]

Rip charlie

[@IndigoStarrAz]

HaHa, Glad I hung in there until the end! 😄😄😄 In television the motto is "hurry up and wait!"

[@manny4552]

Charlie was a class act and great drummer

[@3ddgemi997]

Unique dude

[@bobbyinalaska.4186]

He was collecting a treasure Trove of music instruments. One day we'll see it all. Instruments from other famous people in history.

[@findev6330]

The most Charlie watt’s interview ever lol

[@wayneingram3138]

Charlie is always on time.

[@papasmurf5598]

The last line was the only thing that was right on. work 5 years and 20 years hanging around. But he also said that it was hard work several times, and I take from that all the Concerts, traveling and flying and being away from your other hobbies and family. It truly is a long way to the top if you want to rock N roll.

[@jumhed994]

And a lot of work to stay on top

[@papasmurf5598]

@@jumhed994 I personally have never been a huge fan of The Rolling Stones. But they do have one of the best Names for a Rock Band without a doubt. My go to band for over 45 years has been AC/DC. Seen them many times, even with Bon Scott twice and they blew everyone off the stage. Sad to see them getting so old as I am myself, but I look at it as if we took the journey together.

[@jumhed994]

@@papasmurf5598 It's a privilege to have grown up with some awesome bands and been there through the changes, eh. The Stones not my favourite band by any stretch of the imagination, but they've got a few amazing songs

[@scottthompson3493]

The coolest member of the group, now that should say something.

[@anderslangoks3813]

Good old Charlie.

[@blackarrow9072]

This was during or towards the end of his drug period. "I wasn't a nice person"..

[@Joe-to8og]

I think this was when he slugged Mick in the face.

[@RobinSchoutenRS]

@@Joe-to8og That was in late 1984 in Amsterdam.

[@PintilieCristian]

@@RobinSchoutenRS And this was in May 1986

[@RobinSchoutenRS]

@@PintilieCristian I know.

[@SRDhain]

That sounds like the great David Hepworth interviewing; he hung in there like a pro. Charlie took no musical prisoners and delivered the goods each and every time. Rest in peace 🌅

[@karriconrad7824]

Rest in peace, Charlie... We won't forget you...

[@gwynnielsen5081]

Charlie is definitely missed, but I am glad the boys are still out there, giving what they are meant to give.

[@michaelvaladez6570]

A great drummer a great figure in Rock n Roll..he may be gone but not forgotten. Not pretentious a true English gentleman.

[@lewstone5430]

Least presumptuous rock star of all time.

[@blossom1643]

😂he acted like the guy askin questions was nuts! I love it !! Ask a stupid question……

[@calvinguile1315]

CHARLIE IS MY DARLING ❤

[@tx4yabass]

The word legend applies to Charlie..no doubt!!@❤

[@benwilburn6147]

Proceeds to spend nearly half the remainder of his life touring with The Rolling Stones.

[@sparkymcplumpthepolydactyl2079]

Tell us about the Charlie Watts Big Band? Charlie , ‘that’s what it is!’ Fucking hilarious

[@AlmightyNeb]

Ik it gets me everytime lmao

[@captainusa3652]

Haha, he answered the question in Charlie Watts style lol

[@barryreynolds836]

I understand you collect things "yea that's easy though isn't it" ...I don't know why I find that so funny

[@onecupof_tea]

He didn't even want to talk about what he collected. It was cars he couldn't drive. He looked happiest with his wife, dogs and horses.

[@majordendrocopos]

Great interview!

[@joshkarena3058]

Charlie Watts, straight up guy, looked at life with The Rolling Stones with ease and rightfully he was correct, it's a job and what he does away from that it's something else different. R.I.L. Charlie Watts. ❤

[@krisscanlon4051]

Just found out that's friggin David Hepworth interviewing him...my word love it ! I visit it at least twice a year lol ahhh I always laugh at 1:47...i don't follow that 😅...what ovvuh career???

[@chickeastwater9883]

2:15 the finger, gives the Answer

[@neilsmith48]

Unbelievably cool.

[@Analoguebubblebath89]

Rip

[@humanbeing5300]

Love Charlie. He honestly gave zero fucks and didn’t pretend to

[@hermantuinstra118]

He was a very honest and humble man. I personally would've liked to have met him.😊

[@davewatson2124]

I don't think you would. he was grumpy and rude.

[@theodoreconstantini2548]

Going by this he may not have given you the time of day.

[@alanwhitear2553]

greatest drummer in the greatest band rip charlie

[@caronte008]

What a charming fellow.

[@slappyabromowitz]

He and Ringo got a little bit of criticism. But in reality, their timing and their swing is more important than flashy Technique.

[@bungle3912]

This has to be when he was addicted to speed and heroin. He’s absolutely trashed here. I’m not used to seeing him so aggressive. I love it!

[@webstercat]

Who the guy doing the interview

[@Ben_Mdws]

@@webstercatDavid Hepworth

[@1e0s]

I've loved Charlie since I was a tiny little girl and I don't think that admiration has ever abated, he seemed such a decent man compared with the the others in the band.

[@RobinSchoutenRS]

Yes, he was. And the other Stones always knew that Charlie was a solid guy. Keith Richards told recently in an intrview with Howard Stern that he has Charlie's portrait hanging in his house near his bedroom and he's greeting him every day passing by..

[@theyrekrnations8990]

Charlie kept it low key. A very cool guy

[@robertbentzel8105]

Love his evasiveness

[@itsawonderfulknife7031]

It’s like listening to a Nigel Tufnel interview. 😂👍🏻

[@topheavy7616]

Like getting blood out of a stone.

[@rikmono]

what a pleasant man

[@Spitnchicklets]

I love Charlie , He seems quite confused about some of the questions that guy asked him. Like “ why the hell are you asking me that for “ 😝

[@youtubeisnow1984]

Charlie is thee greatest!!! watching all his interviews he's always been the same!!!!

[@vladimirmihajlovic2485]

Charlie seems a bit impolite and cynical here and I guess it must have been because he was going through a lot of hard time during this time period having had problems with heroin addictions. He comes across as far more polite in more recent interviews. He is sorely missed

[@alexboehm7171]

that's 100% Charlie 😍😍😍😍😍

[@jamesharris184]

An awkward interview. It is easy to see that he was an introvert and the interview was taxing on him. I am surprised he agreed to it.

[@drewdavis1962]

The kind of interview you wish you hadn’t seen.

[@jumhed994]

It's hilarious. He's a jobbing drummer

[@JerichoMile4]

Charlie Watts was the backbone of The Rolling Stones !!!!

[@RobTackettCovers]

I don't like to speculate Charlie's demeanor in this interview...or why he came off to me as distracted...I've seen other interviews of Charlie that came off as more engaged with him being asked questions...these guys are people...I wouldn't go as far as to say "just like us"...but my guess is that a big percentage of the time, they go through stuff that everybody goes through...except for maybe running out of money issues...thanks for the post of this interview with Charlie Watts.

[@onecupof_tea]

One minute he looked like he'd rather punch the interviewer, then shy, and finally humorous. His family apparently knew the Krays, and he comes across as the type of Londoner who's extremely deep, and never trusts anyone outside his family.

[@zingleraster9124]

Dead right Charlie. Plenty of down time. I’ve always wondered how they filled in the time…..

[@richalderson6069]

Charlie seems torn between wanting to say "f*ck off" and an attempt to be polite, true Gemini really.

[@DrRussPhd]

You can tell that Charlie would rather be somewhere else than doing this interview.

[@michaelb.9548]

What a geezer! 😂😂😂

[@jorgealves8319]

00:17 "What other carreer?" LOL

[@jukesters123]

Way cool.

[@stevenholquin2127]

Ladies & Germs “” THE ROLLING BONES””

[@chrisslooter2825]

Tough interview.

[@eg4449]

So many reporters and interviewers treated Charlie with such disrespect and disregard. Charlie hears stupid questions from people who don't understand what they are even asking. We know Charlie was battling some addition problems about the time of the interview here, and it maybe it's because he was uncomfortable with fame, and knowing that fame brings a lot of problems. For those of us who admire and love Charlie we feel sorry that he had to deal situations like this far too often.

[@neastguy]

u would never know that was his personality by looking at him

[@randymillhouse791]

Imagine the difference between the Rolling Stones and The Beatles playing for Super Bowl Halftime. Who would you rather see?

[@machiel5888]

The Beatles, without a shadow of a doubt.

[@thornil2231]

I was waiting for him to ask "OK, do you have another stupid question to ask?"

[@petejones879]

Charlie really wanted to be there lol

[@stevefaure415]

Charlie was always a wry, odd bird. Always funny. But I think he was struggling with some addiction issues at this point in his life and it shows.

[@stewartclarke2474]

What other career?!

[@jorgealves8319]

LOL That was so funny. The way he said it. Priceless

[@danfuerthgillis4483]

00:03 gimbal camera mount!!

[@colinpumpernickel2605]

"Shameless" 😂😂😂

[@matthews7805]

Charlie Watts to interviewer: "you done yet?"

[@Jodyrides]

I would not be as polite, answering the same questions over and over year after year. It always amuses me when they have a woman asking the head coach of an NFL football team between the first and second half, what his plans are to turn things around to win the game in the 2nd half…..What is he supposed to say? I would love to hear a coach for Wants ask the woman “what would you suggest?”

[@Bright-It]

This is what happens when intelligent people are asked not so relevant questions.

[@OnePost909]

No, it's what happens when a journalist trying to do his job, and getting paid 50,000 a year for it, is told to go get a story from a guy who's worth 200 million and likes the idea of seeming to be an obtuse asshole.

[@hammer44head]

@@OnePost909 - Charlie was having a bad time of it here, he had hit rock bottom with his addiction to heroin, alcohol and nearly lost his marriage because of it. Luckily he came out of it but he was hurting here for sure.

[@davidbatin1699]

He's not enjoying the interview. He's right being in a band that long doesn't mean nothing to him & it's boring.