More about: The Rolling StonesCharlie Watts

It was with great sadness that we learned yesterday evening of the passing of The Rolling Stones drummer and all-round rock 'n' roll legend Charlie Watts. A real tragic loss and one that hits you in the chest like nothing else: The Rolling Stones were never supposed to die. 

Charlie Watts was someone who was incredibly important in my development as a young drummer and a rock 'n' roll fan: his thunderous yet understated percussion was a constant throughout each Stones album I plucked from my parent’s CD and LP collection. He had a career as a highly-rated jazz drummer before joining the Stones, which gave Watts’ drumming a cutting edge over many of the other aspiring rock 'n' roll or blues drummers emerging in the sixties. 

Watts would drum like no other: he would purposefully miss the hi-hat when he hit the snare on eight and four beats, which gave it a real punch and allowed Stones tracks to grow into these powerful beasts (of burden). Just listen to 'Jumpin Jack Flash' and you'll hear the unabashed power of Watts’ drumming giving the track life. Without Charlie behind the kit, so many Stones tracks would be flat and uninspired. 

Watts had an uncanny ability to make the Stones’ tracks swing. He was the guy that got your feet tapping and your hips shaking. This element of swing and rhythm allowed the Stones to be dangerous, and sexy. Take a listen to 'Honky Tonk Women'. Watts’ offbeat cowbell mixing with Richards' silky guitar is undeniably sexy rock 'n' roll: something The Beatles never achieved. Watts’ skill gave the Stones the dangerous edge that the clean-cut Beatles never had.

Of course, we’ve been on Twitter today and seen the story of Watts chinning Jagger after he called him asking “where’s my drummer”. It gives you an impression of the kind of bloke Charlie was: he didn’t fuck around and he was by no means anyones drummer...Mick was his singer, as he told him. This story, from Keith’s autobiography, always makes me smile. It’s nice to have someone stand up for the drummers for once.

We’ll miss you, Charlie. A bona-fide rock legend and a musician with generation-defining skill. Without Watts there is no Rolling Stones.

More about: The Rolling StonesCharlie Watts