Shot in the Dark

The Big Beat

Charlie Watts, one of the most estimable drummers and reluctant superstars in rock and roll history, dead at age 80:

A jazz aficionado at heart, Watts helped them become, with The Beatles, one of the bands who took rock ‘n’ roll to the masses in the 60s with classics like (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction, Jumpin’ Jack Flash, Get Off My Cloud and Sympathy for the Devil.

Other tributes came from The Sex Pistols’ Glen Matlock, who said he “kept the beat to the soundtrack of our lives”, while Nile Rodgers wrote: “Thanks for all the great music.”

To me, Watts was always the prototype for the likes of Max Weinberg – the guy who keeps the insanity of a kinetic stage show firmly anchored.  Even during my years of ambivalence about the Stones (I was a Who and Kinks guy), Watts mastery of his craft stood out.  

Several crafts, really:

Jagger and Richards could only envy his indifference to stardom and relative contentment in his private life, when he was as happy tending to the horses on his estate in rural Devon, England, as he ever was on stage at a sold-out stadium.

Watts did on occasion have an impact beyond drumming. He worked with Jagger on the ever more spectacular stage designs for the group’s tours. He also provided illustrations for the back cover of the acclaimed 1967 album “Between the Buttons” and inadvertently gave the record its title. When he asked Stones manager Andrew Oldham what the album would be called, Oldham responded “Between the buttons,” meaning undecided. Watts thought that “Between the Buttons” was the actual name and included it in his artwork.

To the world, he was a rock star. But Watts often said that the actual experience was draining and unpleasant, and even frightening. “Girls chasing you down the street, screaming…horrible!… I hated it,” he told The Guardian newspaper in an interview. In another interview, he described the drumming life as a “cross between being an athlete and a total nervous wreck.”

And it occurs to me that as that entire generation of rock stars – McCartney, Starr, Jagger, Richard, Ian Hunter, Ron Wood, and on and on – slide into their eighties, the carnage is going to get pretty intense, one of these days.

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Mitch Berg

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14 responses to “The Big Beat”

  1. Mr. D Avatar
    Mr. D

    And it occurs to me that as that entire generation of rock stars – McCartney, Starr, Jagger, Richard, Ian Hunter, Ron Wood, and on and on – slide into their eighties, the carnage is going to get pretty intense, one of these days.

    It is. I saw Hunter when he came to First Avenue with Mott the Hoople in 2019; he and his mates put on a hell of a show, but it was clear he was every bit of 79 years old at the time. Charlie Watts was so good — the most unerring drummer I’ve ever seen.

  2. jdm Avatar
    jdm

    I read yesterday that Richards used to try and tease watts by changing the tempo in the middle of a song and watts would just pull it all back to the proper beat. No problem.

  3. Emery Avatar
    Emery

    This should be one of the times on SiTD that we can all agree on something.

    I forget who and where, but someone wrote that Charlie Watts never took a solo because he never had to. That pretty much sums up his style, and his greatness.

  4. kinlaw Avatar
    kinlaw

    One of the great joys of being a guitar playing music fan was discovering the brilliance of really good of bass and drums, which can easily get overlooked by the casual fan (or guitar player!)

    Not much of a Stones fan, nor Who fan either (other than Tommy), but if you are in a garage band you probably play some Stones or Who (we do).

    Gotta disagree on the Kinks, over rated in my opinion.

  5. justplainangry Avatar
    justplainangry

    kin, I am sure you meant to say “under” rated about the Kinks. It’s OK, we’ll forgive you for the slip up.

    Watts was a perfect and very unlikely drummer for the Stones. He is a great beat keeper, one of the best for sure, but John Bonham or Neil Peart he ain’t. Watts knew his limitations hence no solos.

  6. kinlaw Avatar
    kinlaw

    jpa, one of my few good points is not being close minded as regards music. My opinion on the Kinks is informed by the fact that they are in the rock and roll hall, while other more worthy bands are not.

    Name a lesser known song or two that might change my mind, I am always willing to listen

  7. Mitch Berg Avatar
    Mitch Berg

    John Bonham or Neil Peart he ain’t. Watts knew his limitations hence no solos.

    Bonham and Peart (and Keith Moon, for that matter) played in power trios, where they had a lot of space to fill and no other parts to step on. Drummers in power trios are in effect always soloing.

    Watts played in a band that was nominally a four-piece band, but never toured without sidemen – keyboards, horns, backup singers – after about 1966. Drummers in big bands – Watts is a great example, Max Weinberg perhaps moreso – have to fit into a tight little ensemble niche, musically speaking. Even just adding the extra guitar eats up some of the space that a big flashy drummer would take up, leaving you with cacaphony.

    Drummers like Bonzo, Peart and Moon get all the fan action, but it’s the ensemble guys – Stan Lynch of the Heartbreakers, Mick Avery of the Kinks, Weinberg, Watts – that have the challenge.

    My vote for most underrated drummers ever: Johnny Badanjak of the Detroit Wheels, Dino Danelli of the Rascals (and eventually the Disciples of Soul) and Popeye Pentifallo of the Hearts of Stone era Asbury Jukes (although Weinberg actually drummed on that record).

  8. Mitch Berg Avatar
    Mitch Berg

    My opinion on the Kinks is informed by the fact that they are in the rock and roll hall, while other more worthy bands are not.

    The RnRHoF is a joke. It’s led to some fun speeches and performances, but it’s largely PR.

    My opinion on the Kinks is informed by the fact that Ray Davies is an amazing songwriter – one of few that I’d put up there with Lennon and McCartney in terms of pure craft – and his brother was one of the most influential guitar players ever.

  9. kinlaw Avatar
    kinlaw

    I will defer to you on the songwriting, although I can only think of one or two standouts, but you are the first person I have ever read who said he was an influential guitar player. Maybe for guys in the 60’s? But after that it’s Lola and oh Van Halen covered their one other hit.

  10. kinlaw Avatar
    kinlaw

    Nice analysis on drummers: power trio vs bigger band.

  11. justplainangry Avatar
    justplainangry

    kin, did not realize your exposure to kinks was limited to Lola and I really got you. They have had a lot more hits than that. But give a listen to Well Respected Man and A Dedicated Follower of Fashion. I think these are perfect examples of Kink’s whimsy. And, I am not a huge Kinks fan so have not heard their entire catalog. I may have to.

    As far as drummers, I also do not think Stewart Copeland and Phil Collins get as many accolades as they should. Or maybe they do. And I absolutely agree with differentiation of flash vs assemble drummers – two different breeds.

  12. kinlaw Avatar
    kinlaw

    jpa, Collins was a jazz player too, nuff said there. Don’t know much about Copland, but he is a composer now, so that speaks well of his musicality.

    You never know where great drumming will show itself. I had no idea the rhythm section for Springsteen was anything special until Mitch talked about them and I listened to some boss with an ear to the drums and bass; very nice.

    Just had a drummer friend of mine tell me the first Jethro Tull drummer, Clive Bunker, was one of the best in the business. Who knew.

  13. kinlaw Avatar
    kinlaw

    Great quote about drummers: Neil Peart may not be your favorite drummer, but he is your drummer’s favorite drummer.

  14. Scott Hughes Avatar
    Scott Hughes

    Love this conversation about different drummers….I didn’t hear Ginger Baker mentioned in the discussion of power drummers? Digging into what motivated many of the ones mentioned on “all time” lists it’s interesting to note how Jazz influenced many of Watts’ era. I believe when the conversation is about “greatness” some measure has to be given to longevity. Watts needs to be considered for if nothing else his +60 years at the tubs….on another note Charlie was married to his wife Shirley for 57 years, probably uncommon for a rocker. I am a big fan, RIP Charlie!

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