Charlie Watts

[Vinnysimmo]

Forgive me if there already is a thread on him, but i could not find one.

Another of my favorite drummers. He has (IMO) sublime taste and groove when playing.

Any other fans of his on these boards?

[Vinnysimmo]

Noone?...............

[Disco Stu]

Thanks for starting this thread. It's a shame there wasn't one already. Yes, Charlie is a great drummer, a great musician, very groovy, and an integral part of the sound of the Stones. When I get the time, I plan to line up my Stones tunes and really study what Charlie's doing.

[harryconway]

The thing I love the "most" about Charlie is he's been playing the same drum kit for 46 years (or so).

[Jeremy Bender]

Hard to imagine their music without his playing.

[Vinnysimmo]

Hard to imagine their music without his playing.

Couldn't have said it better meself.

[Disco Stu]

The thing I love the "most" about Charlie is he's been playing the same drum kit for 46 years (or so).
I didn't know that, but it is pretty cool. I guess he found something he liked and stuck with it. I imagine it also helps to make his drumming instantly recognizable.

[gretsch223]

Charlie is my inspiration and the reason why I started drums...He doesn't have crazy chops like other guys, but his playing is simple and fits The Rolling Stones' music, well. He also has a passion for jazz and has numerous albums as a leader playing jazz.

[Minority Of One]

The thing I love the "most" about Charlie is he's been playing the same drum kit for 46 years (or so).

And aparently (i havent researched it) he doesent actually have any cymbal endorsements?

ive heard that he just uses any cymbals that he finds and likes

[aydee]

Thats really cool that he played the same kit. Says something about the man..

[Leadfoot]

Charlie is a great drummer. No, he doesn't display blazing chops & he can't play 1200 beats per minute on his kick drum, he doesn't have to, he's Charlie Watts. He plays for the music & does it better than most. There is much to learn from him & his playing style.

[Postlethwaite Windschitl]

Sorry, guys, but Charlie used Ludwigs until around Dec. 1966/Jan. 1967. He also used matched grip at that time.

When he switched drums to Gretsch, he also switched from matched to traditional grip. Apparently he got inspired by his jazz roots to switch drums and grips.

Check out photographs of the Stones before '67 and you'll see it: Ludwigs and matched grip. In Bill Wyman's "Rolling with the Stones" and in the compilation book "According to the Rolling Stones," there are multiple pictures of Charlie before he became the Gretsch man we all know and love.

Personally, I think his definitive drumming came after the switch.

PW

[harryconway]

Yes, as I've delved into "Uncle Charlie" kit history a bit more, seems like he started out on Premiers (like most UK drummers), but jumped to Ludwigs as soon as he could. Had a Black Ludwig kit, and a Black Diamond Pearl kit. And picked up Gretsch, like PW states, 66-67. That makes his Gretsch kit already 10 years old when he got it.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

Thats really cool that he played the same kit. Says something about the man..

About the man and the Gretsch.

[harryconway]

About the man and the Gretsch.

Indeed, he probably could have had his pick of "any new set" from "any number of manufactures" and he opted to bang on a "used" Gretsch kit.

[joeybeats]

Get Off Of My Cloud, The Last Time, Lets Spend The Night Together, Paint It Black, I Can't Get No Satisfaction, Under My Thumb, Ruby Tuesday, Sympathy For The Devil, Street Fighting Man ... and on and on and on. Man, the guy invented perfect rock & roll drumming. You young guys, run and download those songs. This stuff is R&R 101. Joey

[Rick_Strong]

Just watched Four Flicks (Stadium and Arena), Watts certainly holds the band together.

[goughy]

I've heard a story where when Mick and Keith wanna tour they ring Charlie; he'll say no so they don't tour. Next year they try again and he'll go 'yes' and they're off. The other is that it's Charlie that has managed to keep the band together for all these years. He seems the suave gentleman off the kit, and on the kit too!

[The Keith Moon]

Yes, I like Charley Watts as well.
Keith Moon and Charley Watts, both extremes to me.
I like Charley because with just one tom tom he does very creative, but simple licks as well suited for the stones music.... and he is not flashy either... has in depth quality.
I have never seen him playing solos

...... to me drum solos are boring.

Keith Moon is the only drummer I have seen playing with the music , actually doing " solos" through out the song, which seems so brilliant.

[Roeder]

Watts has this great "lift" thing he does with his right hand on certain beats, just on the back beat he'll throw in this 1/4 note pause that opens up the sound and makes the snare hit more up front and not buried with the hats. Very tasteful and subtle.

[Tom Sawyer]

Very nice person, and grooving drummer.

[The Keith Moon]

Watts has this great "lift" thing he does with his right hand on certain beats, just on the back beat he'll throw in this 1/4 note pause that opens up the sound and makes the snare hit more up front and not buried with the hats. Very tasteful and subtle.

Thats how I started to play and still play.

[Pocketman]

A couple of years ago I got to visit the DW factory and they showed me a picture of Charlie Watts playing Terry Bozzio's monsterous kit. Needless to say it was a very funny!

[slingerland755]

A couple of years ago I got to visit the DW factory and they showed me a picture of Charlie Watts playing Terry Bozzio's monsterous kit. Needless to say it was a very funny!

I would love to see that pic.

[Muckster]

Yeah, Charlie is great. The reason i first bought a china type cymbal was because of his playing on "She's So Cold."

[iwilliams]

I like to play on drums: Tumbling Dice, Midnight Rambler, Gimme Shelter.

All the Best,

[Pachikara-Tharakan]

Charley Watts is my favorite and inspiration from all the songs that I heard. I am a tabla player but I love the Rolling Stones and the way Charley plays along. Personally I like him for his modesty and simpler approach. He is my role model.

[jazzbo]

Yes, as I've delved into "Uncle Charlie" kit history a bit more, seems like he started out on Premiers (like most UK drummers), but jumped to Ludwigs as soon as he could. Had a Black Ludwig kit, and a Black Diamond Pearl kit. And picked up Gretsch, like PW states, 66-67. That makes his Gretsch kit already 10 years old when he got it.

I've read that Charlie switched to Gretsch in 1968 . Take a look at the cover of GET YOUR YA YAS OUT and you'll see him carrying a black Gretsch bass drum . He played this black kit for a few years before latching onto the natural maple 50's set he has been playing for years now . This kit was appropriated from S.I.R. recording studio in NYC in the 70's sometime . Apparently he was there for some recording , fell in love the sound of it , and made the studio an offer it couldn't refuse .

[mattsdrums]

man ... Charlie is one of my absolute faves - Not only does he drum from a crossfire hurricane, but check out those threads (I bet Saville Row has done alright out of him over the years!)!!

I've had the good fortune to see him not only with The Stones, but also with his quintet at a small London club and also a couple of times at Ronnie Scotts with his tentet. Always an absolute pleasure to hear him play! I was fortunate enough to meet him and have a chat at The 100 club & the man is so humble and genuinely surprised that HE has been any kind of influence on any drummer!

Love the '57 Gretsch's too. He has a fine collection of vintage drums I believe - including some real gems (Sonny Greer's Duke Ellington set ...bought from Steve Maxwell's in Chicago)..