RIP Charlie, and Keith Richards somehow keeps on keeping on.

I had a math teacher in high school named Charlie Watts. He would probably be around the same age as this one give or take a few years.

He'd apparently been ill of late,

He was a minimalist, less was always more in both his playing style and his equipment. He discovered that long before many others. He never used other than a small drum kit. He had what he needed to tastefully anchor their songs, each song in a different way following a style that was all his own. A great drummer who influenced many others.

(A drummer story along the same vein - Neil Young was rehearsing with a new group of musicians in advance of a tour. Apparently the drummer was playing too heavily and was too active for what he wanted. He stopped playing and said to the drummer something to the effect of "I'd like you to play differently". A reply "Sure, what would you like me to do?". Young replied "Sit on your right hand".)

Sad that all the old rockers are dying off. RIP Charlie. I loved the Stones.

RIP.

I've been a Stones fan since I was a young teen thanks to my brother. I can't help but think is Mick next?

I loved his style. I’ve loved the Rolling Stones for ages.. just the other day I said to my husband that it always amused me the way he seemed so nonchalant as he played. So cool! A great drummer

This is sad

When the Lord get ready, you got to move....

Where’d the song go? Wow 🙄

I know, rite? And they took down the doc's song list too....all put up to honor the recently passed Watts.

It’s hard to say goodbye, to see them (and ourselves: growing older (maybe wiser, but waht good’s all that wisdom under loam or scattered?)

Charlie gave us a lot his drumming talent, but (apparently) his wisdom, patience and committment in helping to calm conflicts and refocus such a spirited group.

”...And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee.”

~John Donne

John Hiatt's "Slow Turning"

Now I'm in my car
Ooh, I got the radio on
Now I'm yellin' at the kids in the back
Cuz they're banging like Charlie Watts

The Rolling Stones was the first concert I saw. Their big hit was Satisfaction. The opening act was Patti LaBelle and the bluebells singing I Sold My Heart To The Junkman.

Time just keeps marching on. RIP, Charlie, and thanks.

The Rolling Stones was the second concert I ever saw (in San Antonio), and they did not sell out back then.

Here is my favorite song that really features Charlie Watts:

This is another good one featuring drums:

And here is my selection, a fitting slow beat funereal march that somehow got lost:

Great example of his spare/sparse style, almost like a slow hand clap with a little cymbal.

That song was written by an African American blues guitarist named Mississippi Fred McDowell. It was originally played in the traditional black delta blues style of just the performer playing the guitar and singing (ever hear any Robert Johnson? Like that). So anything more than a super light sparse drum part wouldn't have been a good fit, as he well knew.

This was such sad news. While I've never been a huge Stones fan, yesterday hearing so many of their songs, some which I've forgotten about, I realized how much they have been in my life over the years.

RIP Charlie Watts.

RIP Charlie Watts.