Bo Eder
Platinum Member
I came to a realization last night as I was changing my front bass drum head to look like Charlie Watt's kit: Does anyone realize, that he bought that ONE kit, and he's been playing it with the Stones for over 40 years now?
Talk about making a profit off of one tool.
That kit is so famous (like Ringo's) that people make replicas of it. Charlie's story behind the kit was that he bought it in the 70s after using it for a recording session in Los Angeles, and he's been using that one ever since with the Rolling Stones. Yes, he has others, and has been pictured with others, but if you believe his story, he actually bought his favorite set of Gretsch drums, and he's been using them all this time. And they were used to begin with!
(I wonder if Gretsch ever offered him a new version of his beloved kit? He probably turned it down.)
Contrast this with myself (among others here) who at the very least have a revolving door of drum sets coming in and out of the house, seeking out a meager living playing those kits. And here's Charlie, probably a millionaire several times over, making money off of his one kit. Even people who think every few years is a good time to upgrade can't escape the shame of the Rolling Stone using one set for the last 40 years! Buddy Rich couldn't say that I'm sure.
I've been doing it wrong all this time. I hang my head in shame.
Talk about making a profit off of one tool.
That kit is so famous (like Ringo's) that people make replicas of it. Charlie's story behind the kit was that he bought it in the 70s after using it for a recording session in Los Angeles, and he's been using that one ever since with the Rolling Stones. Yes, he has others, and has been pictured with others, but if you believe his story, he actually bought his favorite set of Gretsch drums, and he's been using them all this time. And they were used to begin with!
(I wonder if Gretsch ever offered him a new version of his beloved kit? He probably turned it down.)
Contrast this with myself (among others here) who at the very least have a revolving door of drum sets coming in and out of the house, seeking out a meager living playing those kits. And here's Charlie, probably a millionaire several times over, making money off of his one kit. Even people who think every few years is a good time to upgrade can't escape the shame of the Rolling Stone using one set for the last 40 years! Buddy Rich couldn't say that I'm sure.
I've been doing it wrong all this time. I hang my head in shame.