Drum Teacher Reacts: CHARLIE WATTS (RIP) | The Rolling Stones - Jumpin' Jack Flash

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[@richardstardust2355]

I think Charlie's drumming speaks for itself, no other drummer can copy his feel and touch on the instrument or even come close to it. He was one of a kind and still remains the best drummer for the Rolling Stones.

[@barry1369]

The Charlie watts snare fill is one of my favourite thing in music. Listen to the drumming on loving cup. BRILLIANT!

[@warren_r]

Neil Peart wrote about meeting Charlie at the huge SARSFest gig in one of his books: ------ A short, older man stepped up to me, sticking out his hand and saying something I couldn't hear. Thinking "Now who's THIS?" I took out one of my ear monitors and said "Sorry, I couldn't hear you." He spoke again, smiling, "Hello, I'm Charlie Watts." "Oh!" I said, taken aback, "Hello." And I shook his hand. He asked if we were going on soon, and I said yes, any minute, and he said, with a twinkle, "I'm going to watch you!" I suppose if I could have felt more pressured, that might have done it, but I was already at maximum intensity - there was no time to think of Charlie Watts and the Rolling Stones, watching them on The T.A.M.I Show or Ed Sullivan when I was twelve-and-a-half, hearing Satisfaction snarling down the midway at Lakeside Park, Gimme Shelter at the cinema in London, listening to Charlie's beautiful solo album, Warm and Tender, so many times late at night in Quebec, or any of the other million times Charlie Watts and his band had been part of my life.

[@gkny4045]

There’s good reason he plays like a jazz player, that’s what he considered himself.

[@ghettostreamlabs5724]

I think "groove" comes from the ebbs and flows of the song, something ProTools can't create - its a human feel. Charlie looks so effortless in his playing and it feels like 4 guys jamming rather than some metronomically perfect production. Love every second.

[@ημύτητουγκόγκολ]

I am not a drummer but I play the guitar and the ''sloppy'' playing of Watts fits perfectly with the ''sloppy'' playing of Richards which by the way is hard to achieve.

[@dianecourtney2724]

Best comment !!! Yes. You are right !!!

[@demonsbutterfly]

Charlie Watts Swings. It’s what makes him unique. He didn’t like drum Solo’s. But he always made the Stones swing. Charlie played the Blues really well and he could Rock a Dance Track, but it was always Charlie. It Swung… RIP

[@alanmills3767]

As you guessed, Charlie was a jazz drummer before joining the stones, and has put out a few jazz albums as side projects over the last 60 years.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

I must check those out. Thank you Alan

[@thatsrich944]

Being a drummer, I remember Charlie's name rarely ever came up in the casual discussion of the greats, among other drummers. But had you asked the drummers whose names DID come up, they would've mentioned Charlie left and right. His tracks were nothing more and nothing less than what the music required, every damn time. Cheers!

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

You nailed it! 🥁🙌

[@0bannion]

Just be honest. Very basic

[@fredjones9750]

I read once that charlie never wanted praise. My job is to sit at the back and keep time so the talented ones had a good base to work with he said. I love the economy of Charlie's playing. Simple yet effective and always allowing space. Drum solos and fills do not define a good drummer. IMHO.

[@ryankklein]

He's probably the most underrated drummer in rock history. He's cool. Check out Miss You live from the 70's.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Love that tune Ryan. How anybody underestimates a drummer who's propelled 200 million units sold blows my mind. But i agree. People don't get the essence of rock n roll. Not supposed to be perfect.

[@edthesecond]

That snare drum sounds like he's firing a .44 Magnum.

[@gastrickbunsen1957]

Watts to Jagger; "I'm not your drummer, you're my vocalist."

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

BOOM!

[@stevemccarty1581]

His hi-hat technique influenced a lot of drummers and sound engineers liked it during recording. He said he wasn't really aware of it (saw a vid recently). Charlie's "solo" work is with a big band - he is a jazz player.

[@heelpayne420]

I saw this video too ! Chaie influenced my playing. And I use this hi hat technique myself for a lot of my playing.

[@earthorigins3509]

If he is a jazz player, then I''m the master of the universe..!! He was just a so so regarding his talent as a drummer..!

[@zachghaz3257]

earth origin You are wrong my friend, Charlie is indeed a jazz drummer, please check Charlie Watt's quintets.. Available on KZbin... Loads of it in fact..

[@jakeloranger1419]

I believe the word you want, instead of sloppy, is loose. Or maybe very relaxed. lol I had noticed Charlie not playing the hi-hat on the back beat a long time ago. I've seen other drummers who use traditional grip while playing rock music do this. One drummer I know told me he does it because it makes for a cleaner sounding back beat. I suspect it's just easier to get a strong back beat with traditional grip if the right hand is completely out of the way. And since jazz players usually have their hi-hat lower than typical rock players, there's not a lot of room for the left hand stick to come up to prepare for the accented stroke. So rather than pull the right hand up higher, like matched grip players do, it's just simpler to leave it away from the hats altogether. I read somewhere that Charlie wasn't even all that aware that he was doing that as he was somewhat surprised when it was pointed out to him. I guess it was an unconscious thing for him. His hands were just doing what worked best with his grip and technique. I often leave out the 2 and 4 on the hi-hat when I play a Stones song to try to get his sound and his groove. But it feels really weird. Especially since I play open handed so there is "mechanical" reason for me to do it. My hi-hat playing stick is never in the way of the stick hitting the snare. It is my understanding that Charlie was a Big Band swing player before he joined the Stones. He did put out a Big Band record on a solo venture a few years back. I noticed that he had a china cymbal in the left hand crash position At first, when he was riding on it (a totally Jazz thing to do), I thought it was a swish knocker. But then I saw the "squared" off cup (or bell) so it is definitely a china, albeit with a relatively flat profile. It takes a good touch to ride a china without its wash getting so loud as to completely drown out all the other voices of the kit. Not to mention the other players! Thanks for the video, Andrew. I wouldn't have thought to look for it on my own. I wouldn't consider myself a huge Stones fan. I couldn't name more than one or two of their albums. But their music definitely made up a part of my soundtrack when I was young (I'm in my mid-sixties now). And I have a soft spot for Charlie Watts. His playing style of laying down a groove and not getting in the way of the song is something I aspire to do. I am constantly asking myself when I'm playing whether there really needs to be a fill at a particular spot in a song. I try to limit my fills to setting up section changes, such as from verse to chorus and back again. My band members have expressed that they find it quite helpful to them. They hear a fill and they immediately know we're going to the next section. So while I probably will never be known as a "drummer's drummer", if the other band members are happy, then I'm happy. R.I.P. Charlie.

[@seancassidy674]

yep, he does this a lot - it's a trademark of sorts - it gives a basic back beat a little bit of swing.

[@camicawber]

I am a massive Stones fan - "sloppy" isn't derogatory at all. It's a feature, not a bug.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

It's a wonderful human feel

[@williamdelong8265]

I like the word quirky for his playing.

[@MLTHLA]

Thanks for another video Andy, have a rock filled Saturday!😎

[@chuckthomasv7356]

The Wembley Whammer, as Mick would occasionally call him !

[@michaelb.42112]

You always make drum videos fun and interesting, Andrew.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Thank you Michael!

[@marauder600]

Charlie’s unconventional use of the high hat was one of his trademarks. His snare and high hat style was one of his trademarks and he was steeped in jazz. Even toured and recorded with a quartet in the tradition of Gary Burton. Listen to the album “Some Girls”. It’s one of the best recorded examples of Charlie’s talent and he was as tight as a robot during those sessions. Beast of burden has his drums in the forefront and all the other instruments and vocals built around his perfect groove. Kieth Richards called Charlie their secret weapon, and he was right. RIP Charlie. Thanks for all the joyful noise!

[@sobrevalorado]

Amazing

[@johnnywilliams3517]

I remember in Raleigh NC(voodoo lounge tour) during band introductions Charlie stood up for his applause sat down and then had to stand back up cause the fans kept cheering for him thank you Charlie for all the music we will miss you

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Fantastic story Johnny!

[@susannebass5503]

I'm so glad you explained his grip I've thought for 50 yrs he was a left handed drummer..... that's a interesting tidbit. Great review👍

[@hazor777]

The thing that I always noticed about Charlie Watts is live footage, you hear a big drum sound, but if you watch him , he looks like he's barely moving behind the kit. Always about "The Swing" in the song. What a great player..... R.I.P. , Charlie Watts.

[@titan-tm7kl]

100% jazz background he was introduced to rock by the band and what you said about him being a band drummer is exactly what he said about himself

[@thancrow]

He was a Jzz drummer. Rock drummers all over say he was one of the greatest.

[@Sandy-dd4le]

Keith Richards talks about Charlie quite a bit in his book, and I've seen Bill Wyman talk about the same thing in an interview.....basically, it's more that Charlie plays to Keith,than Keith plays to Charlie. Everyone else has to work around them...in the interview with Bill, he talks about playing slightly ahead of Charlie and the whole sound having a "wobble". Your Jazz comments also come up in Keith's book, he says Charlie is a Jazz drummer, so really, the Stones are a Jazz band. He also talks about Charlie's lazy snare technique, where he's so far back on the timing, it's almost out. There's also mention of how Charlie does a weird unnecessary movement,where he sometimes goes to hit the snare and pulls back, it affects his timing and contributes to the roughness. I think much of it is that the Stones are actually a rock and roll band, but almost all their contemporaries and competitors are only Rock bands, they dont know how to Roll. It's the Roll that will ensure the Stones will last forever.

[@jeffmalloy8200]

He grew up going to watch jazz/big band groups and never took formal lessons. He has said he probably should have taken lessons but, if I remember correctly, he said his family couldn't afford them. He learned from watching, listening and emulating what he had access to at the time back in the 1940's and 50's.

[@mldc9838]

It's sad that it took Charlie's passing for people to really listen how amazing he was. Listen to the interview "Why Charlie Watts Matters". The people he influenced like Kenny Arnoff, Nick Mason, Bill Ward... Read Pete Townshend's post on The Who's page. He never enjoyed playing with a drummer like playing with Charlie. Music will never be the same.

[@jessewolf6806]

He “had” me at Satisfaction in the summer of’65. Even before that, actually.

[@markmilner842]

I like the looseness in the Stones sound. (You get that in Hendrix and Zeppelin and Cream and Deep Purple, too.) I also like more precise players, too (Peart, Carey, Bruford, etc). Watts is a much better player than he gets credit for, because he wasn’t super flashy. But his parts fit the songs really well - including the loose feel.

[@demolitionkid2]

Man what a shitty year for music . We lost a lot of great artists this year 😢

[@damnyankeefl]

I always love the way he played 16Th note fills . Accenting the right hand . Just happened naturally . And he’s this drummers kind of drummer

[@thomasbenoit5826]

As you said, Charlie was a Band player, he was not drumming for drumming (I'm not even sure he had played only one drum solo in his life !) ; no, he was simply drumming to serve the music of his band. There are plenty of drummers more technical and sophisticated than he was, but I think no one else than Charlie could have been a better drummer for the Stones. He had a special groove, a special touch, he was a Big part of Stones' sound. As when you listen to 2 seconds of Queen, you know instantanely it's Queen ; it's the same thing for the stones, because there was the voice of Mick, the guitar of Keith AND the drum of Charlie. I'm afraid they will never sound the same again without Charlie.. RIP Mr Charlie Watts.

[@oldsensei8350]

Your right

[@EarthtonesCymbals]

Drums & Coffee and don't worry about it. Best philosophy ever. Thanks for the video. I really like you man...I wish we could hang out together. Best wishes. P.S. Charlie Watts was, is and always will be a class act. Love & respect for his life and his legacy.

[@tobiasjacobsen_dk]

It is interesting to see a person reach this kind of legend status and not necessarily be the most sophisticated/best drummer in the world….. but who else could be drummer for the stones .? Nobody….. RIP Charlie

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Well said Tobias. Agree

[@earthorigins3509]

Charlie was just a very average drummer at best..! Don't make this man the supreme drummer of the century because he wasn't at all..!! He was available at the right time at the right place..!!

[@kellykempkilroy]

@@earthorigins3509 friend, you’re right. Nevertheless, Charlie was in the bloody Stones and what band are you in?

[@eg4449]

What's truly amazing is that they performed more than 2,000 Live shows. And Charlie was there for all of them. The first time he wont behind the kit on a live show. Will be Sun 9/26/21 in St Louis MO.

[@camicawber]

​@@earthorigins3509 You understand that a tribute to a person is going to tend to say nice things about that person, yes? This isn't a "this guy is better than that guy" video - it's a tribute to a legend who has passed. Seriously, do you show up at funerals and say, "Hey, let's not make this the greatest guy who ever lived, because he wasn't!" He meant a lot to a lot of people, so let folks praise him. It's a tribute. And as for him being an average drummer - I've seen tributes from Quest Love, Max Weinberg, Lars Ullrich, Stewart Copeland, John Densmore, Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, Elton John, the Dead, Guns and Roses, the Foo Fighters, Jason Isbell. You're entitled to your opinion, of course, but there are a lot of people who know a lot more about being a rock star than you do who will disagree.

[@yathaki]

Thanks for the great videos from you. Whenever I play guitar by myself, I always think of Charlie's playing. Because it is an eternal communication between me and him. He lives in all those who love him. Because time constraints don't make sense in music.

[@Rassskle]

The early 1960’s British bands and musicians that were part of the white boy British blues scene where mostly enamered by the original blues masters from southern USA. The rock and HEAVY / HARD rock that emerged was just created by these blues devotees. Many of the musicians and singers moved over from jazz and skiffle. Rod Stewart started out singing skiffle. lol It was the amalgamation of these different styles and influences that made the foundation of the British Invasion in rock music. Many of the great guitarists played jazz as well as blues guitar. Organists like Jon Lord classically trained to play church pipe organs as well as other key board instruments. The majority of these drummers from the most successful bands were either JAZZ drummers who adapted to rock and blues or drummers who included some jazz drumming into their own individual style. Have a look at Ian Paice from Deep Purple. At his peak he only used a very basic jazz drum kit....... But produced the equal to Pearts full kit with its own post code. As much as I love Carmine Apiece as a drummer, Paice was just as good without Apiece’s overblown rock pyramid that started with 2 base drums then almost encircled Carmine while rising upwards in multiple layers. Can you imagine Starr playing drums for the Stones or Watts playing drums for the Beetles...... I can’t. They both played so differently and yet so correct for their own band and songs. Would the Beatles and the Stones have been so successful with different drummers ? I don’t think so. Their drumming was crucial to the overall sound and feel of the band and the music.

[@edthesecond]

As several other people have mentioned, Charlie was a jazz drummer. Stewart Copeland pointed out that he was always late on the backbeat, a trick he stole from Jo Jones, who was Basie's drummer. If you want to be the best, you have to steal from the best. Uncle Keef said that many drummers know how to rock, but Charlie knew how to roll. For a perfect example, try All Down The Line. It rolls like a fast freight train and Charlie is the engineer.

[@epipen1033]

Mr. Copeland is not an authority on jazz. He called, "A Love Supreme" - "a joke." For that alone, we can disregard everything Mr. Copeland thinks or ever said about jazz. Also, Watts was not a jazz drummer in any way, shape or form. He may have thought of himself as one, but he wasn't.

[@edthesecond]

@@epipen1033 And we can assume that what you say is true because you know everything? And if you don't know it, you'll just make it up? Go back to your mom's basement.

[@epipen1033]

@@edthesecond Your ad hominem attack confirms that you have no point or counter-argument. Thank you for proving that!

[@fredjones9750]

@@epipen1033 I'd take a wild punt and say stewart Copeland knows way more about drumming than a KZbin comments superhero.

[@mayday8602]

Damn, I missed live show...I had notification bell on but was away from phone. Thanks for this video.

[@MrAschiff]

Ginger Baker said that Charlie Watts was the best musician in the Rolling Stones by a country mile because he could swing.

[@robertparker4833]

Loved watching your face change as the tune got further and further into it. Brilliant seeing your admiration and appreciation for Charlie. Thanks Andrew from here in Sydney. 😎👍🏻

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Thanks so much Robert!

[@denniseldridge2936]

And you're absolutely right, there is **so** much to unpack here... So an older dude will try to fill in some gaps. First, the jazz elements. You have to keep in mind that many of the early British rock bands were very heavily influenced by jazz (or "skiffle") which had pervaded English clubs since the Americans arrived in the 40s (and before that in the pre-war years). Other bands were of a more basic sort and concentrated on the easier to play blues and American rock of the period. The Stones were a weird sort of hybrid, having hired Charlie who was a solid jazzer. Now, about the "sloppiness". As you pointed out, this is Rock & Roll. We have grown so used to "perfect" modern drummers, who are aided and abetted by digital production which can correct even the slightest boo-boo. Add to that the dreaded click-track and MIDI programming which can basically play all the instruments with no human input and, well... you ain't got Rock & Roll. Don't get me started lol. The upshot is that rock is sloppy by the over-produced standards of today's digital production. But blame the modern production, not the bands - I'd much rather listen to this than robotically-generated tracks. You also have to keep in mind that the mere fact that they are able to perform (or are even alive!) is a miracle (Keef had more ODs in the 1970s than all of New York City in the same period). He was basically on a steady diet of cocaine and heroin and gawd knows what else for over ten years straight. For more insight I recommend you track down a little documentary (rockumentary really) called "Cxcksucker Blues" [swap the x for an o]. It basically follows their 1971 or 2 tour around the States, with much interesting backstage footage. Note that some of it is obviously staged a bit, but the rest is eye-opening to say the least. Also, note that the end credits list the "junky soundman" - you get to see him a lot during the movie. Back then, it was actually considered cool to be a junkie, as you'll see, this being a holdover from the beat poets of the 50's who glorified the junkie poet culture. Sorry about the Russian novel there, but I'm old and opinionated. And I credit Charlie Watts with giving me the greatest high a man could ever have - inspiring my then band to rock out to this very song back in 1983 in a talent show at the major local rock club. Looooong story there... He is a god to me, as is the rest of the band.

[@adamimberti6948]

You can talk it up all you want but this is mediocre drumming from a mediocre drummer. It's fine for the stones but there's no jazz, no technique and no deep or special element to his drumming.... he's just the guy they knew that played the drums. I'm a fan of the stones but the way people pretend he's some kind of drumming genius is absurd.

[@earthorigins3509]

"Charlie who was a solid jazzer." Lets get real here for a moment... Charlie was NOT a solid drummer whatsoever..!! He kept good time, which was his best attribute..! Outside of that, just an average drummer - period..!!

[@Edsonallende]

Adam & eathorgins, Sure, everyone is entitled to have their opinions. But considering that Charlie along with every member of the Stones will be recognized for their musical prowess five hundred years from now makes your 'expert' opinions quite laughable.

[@williamdelong8265]

Most drummers are buried in their set. He has a minimal set up yet rocks.

[@p.m-audio]

I always love how charly plays, and he´s big Snare Sound

[@BengtLofqvist]

He was all about jazz as you guessed and a band Drummer a music drummer who was there to back up Keith and Mick as i think he said once. But most of all he was the drummer and a foundation of the Rolling Stones. Miss you Charlie.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Love his style

[@bradleybieber3886]

You have to remember, Charlie was also self taught. He went to see jazz drummers all the time and learned from watching them. He was one of a kind. The only one that comes close is Steve Jordan. Which is why Charlie recommended him to the band before he died. Also why Keith Richards chose him to play on his solo records.

[@RIKDDY]

Charlie was a Jazz drummer, playing blues, in a rock band. Later in my years, the stones are becoming a favorite

[@butchgifford1809]

I read an article we're Charlie Watts,said that the reason that he would lift,are back his hand,off of the high-hat.. Is because he didn't want to block any part of the,"sound of his Snare!!" He had got used to playing this way,in the recording studio,we're he said that,by backing off the high-hat on every beat of the snare (usually beats 2 and 4) that it made for a better sounding snare,in the studio...... 🤟🤘🤙🤟🤘 RIP CHARLIE!!!!!

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

I love it Butch! Pure isolated snare tone

[@bigtip8371]

You nailed it without even being a huge Stones fan! He is AND loves Jazz as a drummer. He played Jazz as his first love outside for the Stones ( I am a huge Stones fan and met Charliee at one of those Jazz shows). Also I think he connected his two sticks as it sounded to me like wood on wood ,, I could be wrong. He raises his high hat he said to allow the clarity of the snare shine though without being compromised and thereby letting the srare crack on the hit... He is GREAT!!! RIP Charlie..

[@springy-2112]

I think the whole band is loose ...not sloppy .. I'm not a "real" fan but have always respected their work . And have always enjoyed doing stones covers .. Peace and love brother 👍🏻☮❤

[@donhadfield2835]

There is a fascinating KZbin about Charlie talking about his kit and how he plays them. You are right he hasn't changed his kit in decades, he uses round badge Gretsch drum set from the 1950's and most of his cymbals are 30+ years old. You will get much more out of it than I would. But in a way, he is the opposite of Neil Peart, a simple, minimalist sound with a small kit and his job is simply to power the song along so the rest can do their thing.

[@fredjones9750]

Couldn't have said it better.

[@rockhard2654]

like everyone else i grew up with the stones. I heard all the songs on the radio for my whole life for years and years it was like wall paper, it was just always there AND THEN I SAW THEM LIVE and it finally hit me like a ton of bricks i heard that weirdly syncopated grove and that beautiful beautiful drum sound I THOGHT THATS WHY! THATS WHY THEY ARE SO FAMOUS! CHARLIE WATTS HE WAS THE WHOLE BAND you saied it perfectly there are no flashy moves HE JUST PLAYS SIMPLE STUFF BETTER THAN EVERYONE ELSE

[@chrisbowley8208]

9 times out of 10 Keith starts the band off and Charlie drops in after the first bars were laid down which is likely part of why he played as he did .

[@michaelirons5662]

the heart beat of the band my first grip style like that, then i changed to the yoyo style m.

[@jamesnortonofficial1566]

They are like a freight Train that never lets up

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Yes James!

[@russpalmer1282]

Charlie WAS a jazz drummer for starters. All this is normal for me. After 60 years, it's not unusual.

[@Rondo2ooo]

Interestingly as a young teenie I played the hihat intuitively often like this without thinking. Later on I changed, but I find it still useful in occasions. To me it draws attention to the snare but also to the hihat, as otherwise it would just get drowned in constant 16th.

[@nockianlifter661]

I think he’s watching the crowd as they react then pushing and pulling the beat between bass and snare to match. Like pushing a swing. I’m sure I once heard Jagger remark that their secret was to mirror the crowd, so he could be watching Jagger as he does that. All very much empathetic playing, if that’s correct I wonder how they managed in a studio ?

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Nice insights. Thank you

[@scottzappa9314]

You noticed it right away and though I'm far from an expert, I've seen a few drummers and I don't recall any of them skipping the back beats. Doesn't that save 25% of right hands? And is Gretsch good for Jazz drums? Who doesn't love Charlie and Mick and Keef? RIP Charlie

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Yup so good. Nice stylistic thing some drummers do. Clean backbeat

[@damnyankeefl]

stones were here in town tonight. I didn't go. I just can't without charlie.

[@randyranson84]

Charlie Watts knew Jagger and Kieth's moves and with the songs, what they would do in the next moment, so he knew how to excite and place emphasis where it needed to be, based on Jagger's stagecraft. The new drummer doesn't emphasize Jagger's movements like Charlie did, but he's such a good drummer, he's found a way of blending in, likely schooled by the other members themselves in practice. No one will ever be as tight. with the Rolling Stones as Charlie was, and for that matter Bill Wyman was, when it comes to the bass.

[@Salguine]

He's a jazz musician in a rock & roll band. Jazz was always his first love. If you want a real surprise, check out KZbin for the Charlie Watts Quintet, the Charlie Watts Orchestra, the AB&C of Boogie Woogie, or any of the other half-dozen jazz projects he put together over the years. He also gets the most out of the smallest kit of any drummer I've ever seen-yet his sound is so propulsive. If you want another great clip from the "Charlie Camera" at the same show (the Beacon Theater, New York City, 2006), go to KZbin and put in "Charlie Watts / All Down the Line / You aren't too old, Chalie !" (complete with misspelling) and you'll see another great performance.

[@capstan50g]

Charlie's background was as a big band drummer. I think it was in the '90s that he put together his own big band, The Charlie Watts Orchestra, and did a couple albums. Good call there.

[@worksbydandeprez]

I learned drums way back when, and I've always thought that the "old school" grip on the left hand gave the back-beats more punch or snap. On a modern drum set, you're drawing the hand away from the snare before bringing it down, which creates a more whip-like attack. I think that's one of the reasons Charlie's playing on the back-beats has such power. Just a theory.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Good point Dan!

[@donhadfield2835]

Something Stewart Copeland mentioned that Charlie used the bass drum to kick the beat ahead but played the snare, behind the beat. Don't know what that means but it probably means something to you...

[@TruthOverLies]

Watts was a jazz player at heart

[@RedSinter]

Charley was a trained Jazz Drummer so say those who have written about him.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

That would make sense James

[@ks9610]

Instead of sloppy, maybe use improvisational? The Stones are kind of a jam band live, where Keith & Ronnie will keep the rhythm & riffs going during songs & Charlie will play along w them, & Mick just struts all over the stage. That’s how the Stones have kept it going for 6 decades, by having fun, jamming w each other. I’m lucky to have seen them live … & Charlie Watts was always my favorite! RIP Good Sir, & thank you for the great music & memories!

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

I hear you. 'Sloppy' sounds derogatory. I mean it's not grid perfect. Love it. Human beings playing music.

[@Thesaurcery4U2C]

He had an almost animatronics like posture while playing.

[@christopherward5065]

Watts’ lack of flash is his trademark. Stripped down and improvised, Charlie is like a heartbeat. Responding to the demands of the action and keeping it alive at the same time. He is always enough.

[@MrVoraxTranstellaris]

I often don't play the hihat on the backbeat, even before I discovered it was a Charlie Watts thing. For some beats it just feels nice to play them like that. Give it a try sometime ;-)

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

I do it a lot! Allows for a nice big, clean backbeat

[@steverosenberger8671]

Charlie was originally a Jazz drummer. He didn't really care for Rock and Roll. He loved Jazz. He had a Jazz band. They might be called the Charlie Watts Jazz Band.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Thanks for the info!

[@loud7070]

RIP Charlie.

[@steverosenberger8671]

I love the song (You got me Rockin).

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Nice Steve!

[@donhanlon7121]

Does anyone know this gig and year? love it

[@alexgarza4513]

From the concert film "shine a light" new york beacon theater 2006 i think

[@thomaswest7746]

Andrew there's a Interview video out there with Mr. Watts and I think you might find interesting he explains how, when, he decided to take up drumming

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Thanks Thomas!

[@TragicallySchapp]

Great comment about Charlie keeping his eye on Mick. Max Weinberg (E Street Band drummer) always is always watching Springsteen. A kinship in their playing maybe?

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Just so attentive Christopher! Jazz style

[@AntonioGerina]

His Favorite drummer was Jazz legend Krupa....

[@charlestea3642]

When that "you son of a bitch" clip played, I literally spit up my fucking drink. Great channel man! Charlie was the best!! RIP , Charlie you'll be forever missed! Total Rock N Roll Drummer! Cheers from AZ USA!!

[@brandonpatterson5909]

You gotta check out vids of them live at Texas in 1972

[@Rassskle]

Typing error..... Previous line should read....” the blues and rock they created was NOT just created by the blues devotees “

[@chrisbowley8208]

The Wembley Whammer was a jazz fan before he started to sit with Alexis Korner in 60 and 61. If he had not been 'pilfered' by the Stones he'd likely of been a Buddy Rich type, just not as egotistical.

[@damnyankeefl]

you've got a great channel here

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Thank you kindly Robert!

[@marcusfox2443]

Maybe the word your looking for is RAW Witch is why I love them.

[@mbkw1]

hrlie Watts was a jazz drummer. Jazz was his first love.

[@gear-head]

Very perceptive. He Is foremost a jazz drummer. He approached the Stones as a job. He had a totally unconventional style which was a huge part of the bands signature sound. Give Angie a listen to - awesome playing.

[@johnnymongrel]

'Not a drummer's drummer?' Wow, interesting call. This (jazz) drummer thinks he is. Personally, far from being 'sloppy' I think Watts' precise, staccato, style is actually integral to keeping the rest of them under some sort of control.

[@patrickbrennan2864]

I agree - very precise, pushing the best on this song, playing just behind it on others…he’s “a band drummer” ( Lauer interview)

[@TomKirkman1]

"If it sounds good it is good." Duke Ellington. Rock and Roll isn't supposed to be perfect, that's what makes it what it is. And yes, Charlie was first and foremost a jazz drummer who was recruited to play for "Mick and Keith."

[@scottzappa9314]

Didn't many of the best ones such as Stuart Copeland and Neil Peart use the traditional grip? My teacher taught me the the traditional at age 8.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Certainly plenty of famous drummers use both grips :)

[@scottzappa9314]

@@AndrewRooneyDrums I tend to use just regular later in my playing days.

[@nancyridenour1815]

Charlie’s the track The Stones are the Train

[@Monsterdrumma]

Instead of saying sloppy I would say loose and greasy, human!

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Yes. Much better description

[@alexgarza8084]

Awesome video. I highly recommend checking out this other vid of Charlie from the same concert. What I love about the stones is they never play a song the same way twice, live, the band really comes alive, theres just so much to listen too. kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5rWqIGdir53aq8 His fill at 1:07 is perfection

[@juanmanuelsoteras5532]

Vodoo lounge of Rolling stones.have Best rock drumer sound ever.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Thanks Juan! I’ll have a listen 👌

[@Mikevdog]

Charlie hated being call 'legendary'. Charlie actually said he was a 'band drummer'.

[@ronmiller9212]

I use traditional grip when a song requires a swing feel . I have dropped out the hi-hat on the back beat , to gain a specific feel and sound . As Charlie has stated , it really depends how you hear the music . Foremost , he is listening to the vocals as his reference as well as watching Mic dance , as that is his primary function in the band . Listen to where he places the backbeat relative to the vocals . This is the magic of Charlie Watts , and although Steve Jordan is a great friend and drummer , Mr. Watts is irreplaceable .

[@olds3945]

Charlie was playing Jazz because that’s what paid at the time.

[@simoncroston4581]

I love Charlie Watt’s however you are looking at late period stuff. His playing changed over the years…as did his touch. You should really look at the drumming 69-72. I love the Stones however it’s a fact that Charlie never practised and changed a lot of the classic drum patterns over the years - honky tonk women for instance. He also benefited from Jimmy Miller as producer who suggested drum patterns and even helped him out on some tracks - no mention of him anywhere. The myth about the high hat work also makes me laugh- the skipped beat started in the 80’s and drove the then Stones producer nuts (Kimsey). His classic era never had this.

[@briankelman2325]

He plays like a jazz player because he is a jazz player.

[@billowens8051]

The right word is not “sloppy”, it is “loose”. But really enjoyed your video. Thanks.

[@oscarmologni2723]

Che ruffiani che siete! 😂😂