Chad Smith interviews Charlie Watts (Part 1)

[@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.

[@johnr8820]

Charlie is the definition of a class act...all about the music, always stylish, never took shit from Jagger or Richards...never was a show off, was always the backbone of the Stones and he had swing and groove! So much respect for you Mr. Watts.

[@jaybreen1010]

not to mention the best dressed

[@randyrazor6780]

JohnR88 well said

[@sparkymcplumpthepolydactyl2079]

Truth be told right there

[@Salguine]

Not only did he "never take shit" from Jagger, he once gave Jagger a right hook to the jaw for arrogantly referring to him as "my drummer."

[@petermills542]

@@Salguine Yes! Apparently Jagger had been out with Keith & got very drunk & later phoned through to Charlie's Hotel room , big mistake Mick haha! Charlie came down & belted him a good one ! That's why Charlie has occasionally referred to Mick Jagger as being " my singer " !! I completely love the man ! I hope he lives to be a 100!

[@johnnyplatis]

Mr. Smith has the soul of a true interviewer. Lets the invited talk, never interrupts, asks the right questions. Well done.

[@andydixon2980]

He's great at it. Very restrained and respectful. And that can't be easy when you're a drummer, interviewing a drummer.

[@REDTVCanada]

Completely agree...really great job...a pleasure to watch and listen.

[@eightinches6094]

I was thinking the exact same thing, thinking of how if it was Howard Stern interviewing Charlie Stern would be interrupting and talking over Charlie.

[@McCready12]

Agreed. Nice observation.

[@michealnadolski6130]

johnnyplatis we are very proud of him .I'm from Michigan

[@michswags]

Ive waited YEARS for an interviewer to actually let this man finish a thought...a Sentence..Very gratifying...well done..Thankyou

[@mikeseaquest9246]

I just watched Brian Johnson interview Robert plant.. one of the best interviews I've ever seen of plant, if not the best

[@danb8891]

Probably that the best interviewer are the artist who passed their life to be interrupt by «professional interveiwer» because they know how it sucks to be interrupt by this bunch of dumbass

[@davidratcliffe1]

One drummer interviewing another drummer

[@archiguitarchi]

I'm 70 and have been performing on stage (guitar) since 1963. I have to shed a tear when I see interviews of my teen heroes. Charlie is such a gentle soul. Amazing how that band stayed faithful to each other. Just amazing. Thank you Chad!

[@LeonAllanDavis]

The band "stayed faithful to each other" only because they "stayed faithful to the music". Keef said his relationship to Mick was "a marriage made in hell"... Like a squabbling married couple who stays married for the kids, they stayed together for the music. .

[@davehoward22]

earning a million $ for a couple of hours work helps

[@launder0]

@@LeonAllanDavis that's called "professionalism", and it's not so praised in any regular job.

[@patrickgroll2046]

I think it is quite hilarious that two of the most successful drummers in history -- Charlie Watts and Ringo Starr -- kept it simple, tasteful and to the point but are written off by so many folks as totally sub-par talents. So, so, so not the case

[@andzwe]

So true. Jim Keltner in an interview, about Ringo and Charlie: "Two of the guys with the biggest bands in the world, who play like nobody else and you can't really describe their playing. No matter how good you are, you never gonna sound like them. You can not play like how Ringo played with The Beatles and you can not play like Charlie Watts when he plays with The Rolling Stones."

[@davewalker3873]

Ringo is playing the only way he can charlies on a much higher level than ringo

[@philcilia4482]

Much respect Chad for getting Charlie to open up - This is the first interview I’ve seen with Charlie where he’s totally engaged and he looks like he’s enjoying it...

[@AaronStark1993]

The bond between drummers is strong

[@sparkymcplumpthepolydactyl2079]

No doubt, never see him smile that much in ANY interview!

[@jeffking887]

Phil cilia I think it’s because Chad is talking about the music Charlie loves and not so much about the Stones

[@crisprtalk6963]

After drumming for all these years, Charlie still smiles when he talks about it. Everybody should be so lucky to have such a true love.

[@woodytheduke]

The more videos of Charlie I watch ,the more sad I get,,,,,,,such a loss!

[@f9qo]

Mick is the singer in Charlie's band.

[@chucku00]

I see what you did but Bernard Fowler is the singer in the real Charlie Watt's band

[@ec1628]

@@chucku00 I think he's referencing a phone call from Mick while on tour. Mick called Charlie and called him his drummer. Charlie hung up, went to Mick's room, and then Charlie proceeded to take Mick behind the woodshed giving him an old fashioned beat down.

[@Mikevdog]

Mick and Keith are the band.

[@ac9472]

@@ec1628 yes, Mick said "I want to see my drummer right now!" So Charlie went to his room, punches him and walked away with "I am not your drummer, you are my fucking singer!" :)

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

Great interview, man. You can actually see the respect for Mr Watts pouring out of Chad as he’s sittin’ there.

[@Mynamesalexa]

Because he & Bill Wyman weren't allowed to show any emotion. This is the MICK & KEITH SHOW. Just stand there like statues.

[@STETTRACE]

You HAVE to respect Mr. Watts. The guy is a CLOCK. And it’s natural.

[@stephengiffith1010]

YES for shure who does not have respect for Mr.WAtts ? I met a man a GREAT JAZZ drummer he played with gene crupa lynel Hampton his name was joe ballardino DOES your JAZZ book SPEAK of Joe i saw Louie Armstrong's pictures playing with a younger joe ballardi o he was KILLER HIS kidney s. Were falling i STAYED with him at his crib n helped him he had told me SOME wild jazz drummer s. N stories

[@kpax45]

A true gentleman great drummer and coolest Rolling Stone

[@enkiea8322]

Keith is the coolest. ... 2 outta 3 ain't bad though.

[@haha-ye2dt]

bill wyman is!

[@carlupthegrove262]

Best interview with Charlie Watts I've ever heard.... this is great.

[@josephgurzynski1053]

Yes!!! And it took a fellow drummer to do it!

[@generalpatzer6893]

Finally an interview with Charlie about his early influences and music in general! I have never seen him so friendly and candid. Great job!

[@nowyouredoingthesponge4644]

I agree. Hes very real and laid back with Chad. He seems thankful that Chad is discussing early jazz influences instead of the stones all the time.

[@gaycha6589]

Nice to see an ageing rock star acting his age and with grace and style.

[@RossD8]

Chad is a helluva interviewer- he lets Charlie talk. And it's delightful to hear Charlie talk about something he loves-jazz. RIP Charlie.

[@johnknow4097]

Charlie has style both in his clothes and general demeanour, he's a damn good drummer as well.

[@Geoff_24]

Rest easy, Charlie. The look on Chad's face says it all. You can tell he has such admiration and respect for Charlie.

[@JoeyP322]

Charlie Watts is one of those drummers who kept it simple... simple kit, simple beat... not a show off or trying to show off his skills... here is one of the biggest rock stars in history, who would most likely go unrecognized if he walked down the street...

[@KN-lq4zv]

Joey P well said, he played to serve the music incredibly well. No big ego

[@eg4449]

How does his swinging beat fit into being simple? And him following Keith a bit, and Keith following Bill a bit. It creates a wobble.

[@gaycha6589]

Indeed. ‘Simple’ played well is harder than ‘complex’ played mediocre.

[@bassmanrick]

Charlie is a class act. Imagine living thru the rollercoaster ride of the Stones. Well done!

[@greenl2472]

Yes Charlie seems relax enough to share the past like I haven’t heard him do before.Great Job Chad .

I never even thought of Charlie Watts before this interview. What a beautifully authentic human being!. Still waters run deep. Probably not just the anchor for the Stones music, but the anchor for their mercurial personalties as well. Stones are so lucky to have such a steady dude for all these years.

[@richardlafontaine5049]

Classy has always. Charlie Watts personifies CLASS. Great interview

[@jennywestneat9983]

Ain't that the truth

[@gmcjetpilot]

Charlie Watts was the back bone of the Rolling Stones. As a Kid his playing influenced me as a drummer. I can NOT imagine another drummer in the Rolling Stones but Mr. Watts.... Nothing to say about his 50 yrs of drumming but listen and enjoy. The best. RIP

[@chriscampbell9191]

Charlie Watts... arguably the inventor of the drum riff. Listen to Get Off My Cloud and imagine the song with that opening drum riff missing. Awesome interview. Mr. Watts comes across so kind and articulate. Solid guy.

[@guitarlover302]

Great interview ! Very sad loss RIP❤️

[@robpelick7460]

It took me years to fully appreciate Mr. Watts' drumming but it's always been obvious that he's one of the nicest guys in Rock 'n Roll.

[@oz2189]

One of the truly great drummers. Someone who not only enhanced, but shaped the sound of the band he played in. And what a gent! True legend, Charlie Watts

[@batman1169]

Rip Charlie. So nice to watch this again to remember a great musician and man!

[@eightinches6094]

Charlie is so unassuming, so humble, non controversial, has basically kept quiet the last 55 years but has produced the rhythm for the Stones for all those years. I'll never forget seeing the Stones during their Voodoo Lounge Tour and when the time came (mid show) to introduce the band members Charlie got the biggest and longest standing ovation of any of the rest, yes, even Keith Richards. It was something to behold.

[@angusseletto1511]

2 Generations of really classy blokes and fantastic Drummers who show each other respect.Chad is a brilliant interviewer.So refreshing to watch.Charlie seems to be a kind gentle guy.

[@jeffsmith2022]

As it has been said time and again, Charlie is the glue that held the band together...

[@McCready12]

Charlie Watts has always impressed me as the astute elder statesman of the Stones.

[@tommethans7827]

I'm a metal head, all my life, but never too late to discover jazz and blues. Finally getting into the old stuff at 50.

[@johnmorrow1253]

You have a great life full of finally's ahead of you Tom don't forget the new too.

[@jermainewashington7447]

Beautiful suit, beautiful man. Perfect drummer for Keith. So sad he's gone. Best there ever was.

[@davidm1334]

So awesome. I’ve always admired Charlie Watts!

[@normatible9795]

Only chad smith can handle this interview with a great drummer. He brought out the best of mr.watts

[@Chifan71]

Steady, ol' Charlie. They wouldn't have been the Stones without him.

[@steveec9704]

Holy Crap! Charlie Watts is Legend and so is Chad's interview

[@ACLOCKWORKDRUMMER]

Charlie Watts is the definition of GROOVE..RIP

[@thefilmandmusic]

Charlie,,, you will be missed…..Entertaining and bringing smiles to the world for 50 yrs plus…. Awesome ….

[@davegarant]

Fantastic interview. Great to hear Charlie tell his story in his very humble way. More please...

[@johnsandbo1]

Truly one of the best interveiws ever with C.W.! Can not wait for the rest of it!

[@timsears951]

Love the snare stand as a lamp...very nice touch.

[@jperryfan]

Always loved Charlie's drumming especially the slight hesitation before hitting the high hat. Key part of the Stones sound.

[@crsantin]

I've always enjoyed listening to Charlie Watts give interviews. Always loved his playing. He seems completely unaffected by being a Rolling Stone, like he'd be perfectly happy to be an anonymous dude playing the drums in a club somewhere and hanging out with the other musicians. Great CW story: My good friend's father was a waiter in a restaurant in Toronto in the 70s. The Stones came in to play somewhere. Watts and his buddies came into the restaurant, spent a few hours. One by one his crew left, off to wherever, until Watts was at the table alone, presumably to take care of the bill and what not. Well, he fell asleep at the table. The friend's father, their waiter, didn't know who he was and let him sleep, figuring he was just tired and left the guy alone for maybe an hour, it being a quiet night in the restaurant anyway. Suddenly Watts jumps up with a start...Jesus Christ where am I? What time is it? What day is it? What city is this? How long have I been here? Apparently he had to be at a gig somewhere LOL!

[@aswinsa7281]

i see that in front of me :)

[@Dannykhc]

I really like Charlie's drum sound and drum parts on the Some Girls album. Really crisp and tight, just perfect for Mick and Keith's numbers at the time. Charlie is da man!

[@Mikepleith]

I have never seen Charlie so relaxed in an interview. I love his knowledge and the praise he gives the drummers before him ex. DJ Fontana a guy who of course gets over looked due to the lead singer and in some respects Scotty.

[@ocan1033]

I think he's relaxed here because he's talking about the music he truly loves. The Stones were just a way to pay the bills .. granted, you could cover some sizable bills with that bankroll.

[@j.a.0088]

That is amazing interview. Such wealth of lived and loved musical experience. Charlie is treasure. Total respect.

[@nowyouredoingthesponge4644]

Charlie is the coolest ever. Its always nice when he speaks ☺

[@mattbod]

Total gent and easily the most naturally talented Stone in my opinion and modest too. He is a versatile musician too by the sound of it.

[@curtisschreiber9211]

Everyone know Mick wants to be Keith, but even Keith wants to be Charlie.

[@joeb2588]

Dude, awesome!

[@vinyldiary6664]

So true!

[@rossmcmahon7176]

Curtis Schreiber Charlie is the fucking man

[@timmcgrath9472]

wow he is the man

[@sweetmeraki15]

Yeah, Keith always says good things about Charlie

[@cookieburger4242]

beautiful interview

[@CB-ou3cz]

Great interview! Mr. Watts looks great!

[@Silva-xb3fr]

Rest in peace, the greatest jazz drummer of rock 😭

[@bluespig1]

Thanks Chad. Charlie Watts is my favourite reason to sit behind a kit. Great interview, room to talk.

[@susanreed2802]

Charlie is a bad ass and a sweetheart at the same time

[@frontcentermusician]

Those awkward pauses that Chad makes at times makes Charlie say just a little bit extra. Great interview technique.

[@eltatoyo9211]

It's the most comfortable and eloquent I've ever seen Charlie. Much credit to the interviewer, xlnt job, doesn't interrupt, but keeps the interview going. Charlie is talking about things that obviously interests him deeply. Very interesting

[@johnnyjones7442]

Charlie is a gem. Perfect fit for the other boys in the band.

[@saritamoirangthem1352]

He is always polite and kind hearted gentleman 👍

[@musicman78626]

Well done Chad... What a great space that was - two legends talking about music and drums. Aren't we lucky... to see this... to experience it so easily. Thank you Chad and Charlie.

[@manjay49]

The best interviewers prime the pump and then just let the water flow. From the Source.

[@ronnie5129]

CHAD, WHAT A GREAT INTERVIEW WITH ONE OF THE GREATEST DRUMMERS, YOU CHAD ARE ONE OF MY FAVORITE DRUMMERS ALSO, ME AND YOU WERE FROM MICHIGAN, I SAW ALL OF THE GREAT BRITTISH BANDS BACK IN MICHIGAN IN THE LATE 60;S AND EARLY 70;S, AT THE GRANDE BALLROOM AND THE EASTOWN THEATER, THAT WAS A TRIP I WILL NEVER FORGET, I SAW THE RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS IN PHOENIX ARIZONA IN 2018, THAT WAS A GREAT SHOW, THANKS FOR THIS INTERVIEW, KEEP ON ROCKIN BROTHER, MY BEST, COUSIN FIGEL

[@josevictordiogo4174]

Great interview. Looking forward to part II.

[@musicmatty67]

Charlie’s drumming arrangements are nothing short of brilliant behind all those Rolling Stones classics!

[@salortiz3528]

With out a doubt my favorite Stone

[@joeb2588]

How can it not be? He's just what anyone would want in a band. No ego, no attitude, does whatever he and the band wants....he is great.

[@jbadal1]

This interview is so remarkable, I can count on one hand how many interviews I've heard w Charlie talking since the Stones started in the early sixties. He is quiet, lets others do the talking.

[@DominicBurford]

This was a great interview. I find it fascinating to hear about a musician's background and influences. Chad was respecful and asked great questions allowing Charlie to give candid, insightful answers. Good job.

[@DezzyMckenna]

That 2 Bars of rock time that he fills in on SATISFACTION...that's Immortal

[@h.j.w2783]

I hope I dress as well as Charlie when I'm plus 50. That guy oozes style.

[@Paul-dz7xi]

Bespoke

[@BrainEquation]

And 80 plus!

[@jennywestneat9983]

He has class..not just in music and dress but right across the board. A true gentleman. My pick of the Stones

[@rm-oi8rr]

Two world class drummers, talking shop! So cool! :)

[@vicobaptista]

This is absolutely beautiful. The candor and warmth in this conversation is amazing. Where's Part 2?

[@FTStratLP]

I'm also looking for part 2.

[@tommcfadden5232]

Excellent interview. Thanks for posting.

[@rhythmantic]

Great to hear Charlie sharing his beginnings. I've covered many of his drumming patterns here on You Tube of covers of The Rolling Stones. Thanks Chad!

[@oldschool5539]

Of ALL the Members of The Rolling Stones, Charlie seems to Age FAR BETTER than the Rest Of the Band......!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@clarkewi]

Charlie Watts is such a big part of the Stones sound.

[@musicalchairs777]

Drummers are the coolest because they usually get the least attention but the whole show rides on their shoulders, and that's the way they like it.

[@davidtrobaugh9798]

You Rock brother. Keep Rock In. I'm a Drummer. Thank you for all the years.

[@strings2wood]

Truly enjoyable. The art of silence after asking the question is apparent. Love how listening gives license to feeling valued and creates sincere respect and space to fill the story with greater detail and colour. More in this interview than 100's of other cliched Stones responses from Keith.

[@michaelwilson2340]

Charlie and Nick Cave: Two of the best dressed guys in music! And Charlie looks much better than the other Stones. He's obviously taken care of himself.

[@woodystemms3799]

A lot of that "good look" in older age is purely genetic.

[@KimTebrok]

Charlie is the modest man ever. He has been integral for decades in a group known throughout the world as one of the best bands out there. 👊👊

[@midnightrider7648]

Ol charlie seems like such an upright, stately, proper gent but i can only imagine the outrageous stories he could tell about being on the road in the 60's & 70's with the greatest rock & roll band in the world.

[@mikekelly9851]

Charlie has had a charmed life getting to do what he loves & loves what he's doing starting from a young age. Every musicians wish.

[@CharlesTPrimm]

Charlie is THE GREATEST rock'n'roll drummer of all time, period.

[@john-kl3ux]

RIP Charlie. Great interview!

[@hotlanta35]

Charlie Watts one of the best rick drummer ever.

[@julienceaser]

Great interview... Chad and Charlie are awesome... I'm now a subscriber!

[@kevctulu3868]

Two of the greatest drummers of all time

[@monkeyrevolution1964]

I have never seen Charles so friendly and kind , nice etc

[@acohen1980]

great interview...let the talent speak...nice one Chad boy!!!!

[@mattbod]

My favourite Stone: quiet and unassuming but has a great sense of humour and a great drummer.

[@bigvrocks2480]

Charlie Watts! One bad ass drummer. My friend Perry Nickolas, had the Stones first lp, England's Newest Hit Makers, in May of 1964! I had just turned 13. Perry, Gary and I went up to Perry's bedroom, put on the lp and for a few hours, in from of a big mirror, in his room, acted like the Rolling Stones, as we had seen them on TV! We were lost in the moment and it was amazing. Just the beginning of the rest of my life... Perry & Gary Haslam, were great friends back them. (However, have never seen or heard of them in over 50 years.) We'd also sit for hours at Pauline's house, next door , who was 'older than us', who had all the new 45's that came out and we'd listen all day to 45's. She was great as well to let us goofballs up on her porch to listen to the music and tell us about the artists we didn't know about! Warm Summer day, good friends, and the music of the 60's! Didn't get any better than that. (Until we discovered girls, that is..LOL. But that's a whole other story...)

[@paulo1787]

What a great interviewer, really enjoyed that, and considering Charlie Watts rarely does any, this was great

[@jimcavale6155]

Love Charlie Watts. But you can not explain why because he has so many sides to him. He is truly an ENIGMA.

[@debonaire_nerd]

As a young lawyer, while I cannot profess to have any musical talent to offer, I take 100% of my wardrobe inspiration from Charlie Watts. The girls love it.

[@batmonkeytiger]

Charlie watts, definetly is a great time keeper for the stones. He, doesn't need to be fancy just brilliant at keeping tempo. A Very humble direct man with exceptional timing and, SKILLS

[@MatthewJJoss]

2 of the BEST Drummers in the World right here!!

[@NIKONGUY1960]

I used to play his album on my radio show. Nice to hear him play something different

[@GoodMrDawes]

Great Interview