The first time was at Ronnie Scotts, London, when his jazz band was playing a short residency. The night before Keith & Co. had been there. 90s or 00s? not sure now.

Ronnie's has a small downstairs bar, and at the interval I was at the bar waiting to get served. A tap on my shoulder. "Excuse me, I'm with the band and need to get my drink or the next set will be late". I turn around: it's Charlie. Very modest: very unassuming very Charlie. I let him through and then he joined the rest of the band at a table - no security.

Second time, 2014, Washington DC Dulles airport, BA First Class lounge, I'm waiting for a flight home after the Stones DC gig prior to Glastonbury. I don't see Ronnie when I arrive wearing a Stones T-short, much to his amusement. Turn around and see Keith enter: I am gob-smacked. He comes over and says "hello". Charlie is wandering around looking for something to read. Says to everyone, including me (with a smile on his face), "you can't get decent magazines in airline lounges now".

Third time, not really a meeting. Sat have a drink (tea or Rose wine, I can't remember) in Buenos Aires in 2016, waiting for the time to depart the hotel. H and I looking like English gents. On the balcony above Charlie appears. We wave and gesture that he should join us. A very pleasant smile, declining nod, and a smile. No need to even respond: he makes the effort. What a gentlemen.

Never met him. But I saw him in '99 at Anaheim, the No Security Tour. He was on that night. When they did Midnight Rambler on the B Stage I thought we was going to rip the roof off the arena. Everyone talks about his swing, as if he was a gentle drummer. No, there were times he really had dynamite in his sticks. Bless you, Charlie.

The end of January 2020 I had to deliver a parcel for his wife at their home, you could imagine my surprise when I looked in my side mirror to see this guy walking towards me immaculately dressed. I explained I had a parcel for his wife and that I wasn’t the normal postman so didn’t know the procedure for delivering his mail. He politely explained where it’s normally put and that the girls collect it. Whilst signing the paperwork I kept it short and said how I saw the band twice in 2018 and how we sang happy birthday to him (Coventry gig) and he laughed and said how he always seems to be away for his birthday. I asked if he would mind a quick photo and he had no problem with it and I thanked him and hoped to see the band again in the near future and was on my way. Couple days later I sent him the photo and he returned it within a week signed. Absolute gentlemen

Great Charlie accounts so please keep them coming!

I had a pass to Chuck Leavell's pre-show gathering in Atlanta in 2002, but let a female cousin use it.

Charlie was the only Stone there, but was very charming to my 3 female cousins who went.

What a class act.

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Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2021-08-26 23:21 by quietbeatle.

I had the great opportunity to meet Mr. Watts after the 2nd show in Los Angeles in '89. Those days they would hang out in the bar. They were staying at The Ritz. Bill and Bobby were down in the bar as well. We hung out for awhile. As we were walking out he stepped out of the van. I politely asked him for his autograph and he didn't hesitate.

I met Charlie by chance in Tower Records in London in 1990 just a few days after seeing one of their Wembley gigs. He was browsing the CDs upstairs in the jazz section, so I apologised for bothering him and just told him how much I enjoyed the show. He thanked me and then continued to browse so I didn't pursue an autograph, but what a gentleman.

Indeed myself and MOWAT saw and met Charlie at ronnie Scott's
Gosh sometime around 2005/06 playing with his jazz guys. We had brief words more so mowat that me. Just asking when he was going back to his day job so to speak
As ever the gentleman his reply. Not up to me.. I'm just waiting for mick to call.
We will never see the like again

Palace Hotel, Madrid, main entrance, twice. Stones tour of course. Ron, Keith and Mick never shown... But Charlie, he goes out and in as usual. Got two autographs from him. He was very kind and polite with the fans. He refused writing his name on a guitar saying it was a Keih thing, not his.

Thank you for every single drum beat and your life attitude....

Zurich, 2015 tour? I saw him going shopping downtown with his grandaughter and security man. I did not want to bother him this time ... I just had a big smile in my face because I was going see them that evening in the biggest rnr show in the world.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021-08-25 00:16 by spain73.

met him 2006 in zurich in front of the hotel. we asked him very politely to sign but he just walked away with an annoyed face saying "naaaaaa". although we were a bit disappointed we had to laugh out loud a bit later. ;-) it was just charlie hating the rocknrollstar thing. LOVE THE MAN, very sad day.....

I met Charlie in 1989 at the Ritz Carlton in Naples Florida. The band stayed there during the time while performing in Florida.

We chatted about the Gulf of Mexico, Florida in general and I told him I was a loyal fan. I never asked for an autograph. Shaking his hand was all I needed.

He just came across as so cool, calm and collected.

It's a good memory and one I have treasured for 30+ years.

Mine is an usual meeting story. Grew up in NYC not too far from JFK Airport. The elementary school I went to had us fund-raise by selling chocolate bars. By the time I was 11, around 1964 or65 (not sure exactly), me and my friends would take the bus that ran near my house to JFK and roam the terminals selling the chocolate bars. One time, we saw 4 guys emerge from the BOAC lounge, followed by a fifth. We descended on them and tried our sales pitch, but to no avail. They said they did not have any cash. They seemed vaguely familiar but we did not realize who they were until they were on their way down the corridor and a mob of young girls swarmed in, looking for the Rolling Stones. I then realized I had tried my sale pitch on Charlie Watts, who was at least kind enough to stop and have a look at my wares, and then Mick Jagger, who was the one brining up the rear. Unfortunately, none of the girls had witnessed our chocolate bars being handled by the Stones, so we also failed in our attempts to sell them as Stones memorabilia.

On a flight from Amsterdam to London 2003 between shows, my friend Ed and I sat behind Charlie and his friend/bodyguard (?) on a small British airways flight - neither Ed or I wanted to bother him at all.
When we landed at Heathrow, all the passengers on our small flight walked to the luggage area, and sure enough Charlie did as well. The temptation was too big for Ed who introduced himself to Charlie and asked if they could take a photo together.
Charlie said certainly, Ed threw me his camera, and I took a photo of both of them right in front of the luggae area. One of my greatest claims to fame...having the pleasue of photographing Charlie standing happily with my friend Ed...both with ear to ear smiles...


* I have a copy of the photo stashed somewhere on a flashdrive or in a computer folder, and when I find it will post here.

_____________________________________________________________
Rip this joint, gonna save your soul, round and round and round we go......

Didn't exactly meet him but in '75 at MSG, as we were being escorted by security to a waiting area for our tickets, I was walking in front of the Lotus stage, awe struck, and nudged some guy out of the way with a "S'cuse me" to which he replied in a distinct British accent,"Oh, sorry". I looked back and it was Charlie with Ollie Brown, checking out the stage. He was certainly more of a gentleman than I was. RIP

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Davie137
The end of January 2020 I had to deliver a parcel for his wife at their home, you could imagine my surprise when I looked in my side mirror to see this guy walking towards me immaculately dressed. I explained I had a parcel for his wife and that I wasn’t the normal postman so didn’t know the procedure for delivering his mail. He politely explained where it’s normally put and that the girls collect it. Whilst signing the paperwork I kept it short and said how I saw the band twice in 2018 and how we sang happy birthday to him (Coventry gig) and he laughed and said how he always seems to be away for his birthday. I asked if he would mind a quick photo and he had no problem with it and I thanked him and hoped to see the band again in the near future and was on my way. Couple days later I sent him the photo and he returned it within a week signed. Absolute gentlemen

Really nice story!

Never met him, but got a high five on the B2B opening night as they walked down to the b stage.

Saw him at The Blue Note in NYC with the Charlie Watts Quintet. He was kind enough to sign a copy of "Long Ago and Far Way".
Saw him again at The Iridium in 2012. He always seemed like a kind, shy soul.
RIP Charlie

I saw him wave from the back seat of his limo to me and the other fans in Dublin as we queued in 2004 at The Point. I also saw a pair of live shows at Ronnie Scott's of him and his jazz band.

Charles Baudelaire
1821-1867

I met Charlie Watts backstage at the Blue Note in NYC in 1992. I asked him to sign a poster I bought at the gift shop. He said,"sure, give me a pen."I said I didn't have one. He said "You want me to sign this and you don't have a pen?" He turned around and walked back to the dressing room and slammed the door behind him. I was crest fallen. He then comes back out with a Sharpie and asks me my name. I said "I thought you just blew me off." He said "No, somebody had to get the pen."

1994 Voodoo Lounge ... Chicago Ritz Carlton - Michigan Avenue & Pearson ... Rode The Elevator Going Up ... Just Mr. Watts and Myself - 3.1 Miles Up the Road From 2120 South ... + GOD BLESS MR. CHARLIE WATTS ON HIS JOURNEY HOME + ... Our Thoughts & Prayers are With His Family & Friends + GOD BLESS THE ROLLING STONES + ... Thank You All For The Soundtrack of Our Lives ... Eternally In Our Wandering Spirits ~

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Spodlumt
I met Charlie Watts backstage at the Blue Note in NYC in 1992. I asked him to sign a poster I bought at the gift shop. He said,"sure, give me a pen."I said I didn't have one. He said "You want me to sign this and you don't have a pen?" He turned around and walked back to the dressing room and slammed the door behind him. I was crest fallen. He then comes back out with a Sharpie and asks me my name. I said "I thought you just blew me off." He said "No, somebody had to get the pen."

He's splendid.

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Davie137
The end of January 2020 I had to deliver a parcel for his wife at their home, you could imagine my surprise when I looked in my side mirror to see this guy walking towards me immaculately dressed. I explained I had a parcel for his wife and that I wasn’t the normal postman so didn’t know the procedure for delivering his mail. He politely explained where it’s normally put and that the girls collect it. Whilst signing the paperwork I kept it short and said how I saw the band twice in 2018 and how we sang happy birthday to him (Coventry gig) and he laughed and said how he always seems to be away for his birthday. I asked if he would mind a quick photo and he had no problem with it and I thanked him and hoped to see the band again in the near future and was on my way. Couple days later I sent him the photo and he returned it within a week signed. Absolute gentlemen

That’s great!! What a cool experience!

Never met Him. When my only boy came early on Charlie birthday I wanted to call him Charlie. Thought it was a sign. Wife disagreed. Anyway I found his address & sent him two pictures of my pride & joy playing his Mickey Mouse drum set at 2 in a stones shirt. Figured I would never hear back. Well he signed them both. Thanks for the back beat & for being you. RIP

March 30, 2008, NYC, for the press conference and preview screening of Shine A Light, I was stuck in a hallway amid all 4 Stones. Ronnie in front, pressed tight against me, Mick in front of him, and Keith and Charlie right beside me, leaning against the wall, heads bent in whispered conversation and laughing like kids - it was clear they were close friends. I stood like a fly on the wall for 5-10 minutes just watching and listening, didn’t ask for an autograph, picture or pick. Lovely to see Charlie - and all of them - when not in public mode. I was giddy about it for years.

Urban Jungle was my 1st tour...
After Rotterdam and Paris we travelled to Berlin to see them.

In the afternoon before the show we walked at Unter den Linden,
suddenly...out of nowhere... Charlie passed by, he was just walking there with some woman.
One of us had the courage to ask him for a picture.

Our meeting was over in 30 seconds, but we have a great pic with Charlie :-)

In Berlin they didn't use the Urban Jungle stage,
but the huge Steel Wheel stage... it was an incredible day (13 august 1990)!!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021-08-25 11:07 by ErwinH.

Quote
Davie137
The end of January 2020 I had to deliver a parcel for his wife at their home, you could imagine my surprise when I looked in my side mirror to see this guy walking towards me immaculately dressed. I explained I had a parcel for his wife and that I wasn’t the normal postman so didn’t know the procedure for delivering his mail. He politely explained where it’s normally put and that the girls collect it. Whilst signing the paperwork I kept it short and said how I saw the band twice in 2018 and how we sang happy birthday to him (Coventry gig) and he laughed and said how he always seems to be away for his birthday. I asked if he would mind a quick photo and he had no problem with it and I thanked him and hoped to see the band again in the near future and was on my way. Couple days later I sent him the photo and he returned it within a week signed. Absolute gentlemen

Loved reading this - great!

Quote
Davie137
The end of January 2020 I had to deliver a parcel for his wife at their home, you could imagine my surprise when I looked in my side mirror to see this guy walking towards me immaculately dressed. I explained I had a parcel for his wife and that I wasn’t the normal postman so didn’t know the procedure for delivering his mail. He politely explained where it’s normally put and that the girls collect it. Whilst signing the paperwork I kept it short and said how I saw the band twice in 2018 and how we sang happy birthday to him (Coventry gig) and he laughed and said how he always seems to be away for his birthday. I asked if he would mind a quick photo and he had no problem with it and I thanked him and hoped to see the band again in the near future and was on my way. Couple days later I sent him the photo and he returned it within a week signed. Absolute gentlemen

I remember your story and the photo with Charlie.....awesome!

My first encounter with Charlie happened in Paris, 2003 - during the french Licks week. As I was walking alone down the Champs Elysées, an old, thin, white-haired guy was walking up, by himself, wearing a summer suit.

I hadn't seen him up close until them and I thought "he looks like Charlie", but wasn't sure. It seemed weird that he would be walking by himself. I walked on a bit, then turned around thinking "it could really be him" and followed him from a distance.

As he turned left rue Charron, in the direction of the Four Seasons I was getting more confident and caught up with him, walked past him, turned around and stopped, facing him - "excuse me, but are you Charlie". I still wasn't sure at that moment. To which he replied : "Yes, I am Charlie". He agreed to sign an autograph and walked on.

I would meet him again later on, both around shows (the Stones or his own) and outside tours. I remember walking back to the metro near the Champs Elysées the day Billy Preston died, and meeting him again walking in the area. I simply said hi and walked on, then once again turn around and ran back to him to ask "excuse me, but how's Keith" - it was after the coconut accident.

My last one to one interaction with him was outside Guillaume Tell studios in 2012. I just said hi as I was waiting for Keith and funnily it seems he was expecting me to ask for a photo or an autograph, but I didn't. Suddenly, in this very sunny summer day, we both felt a drop of rain and looked up at the same time, both puzzled to find out that not a cloud was in sight. We shared a laugh.


I will always remember that snare sound everytime I had the chance to hear it direct, without a PA, either at rehearsals or smaller shows.

I think I mentioned this a while ago but a one time girlfriend of mine had lived in Indianapolis and was the concierge for the hotel the Stones were staying at. This might have been 1978 or 1981, not sure of the specifics. Anyway she was at the desk and Charlie emerged from the elevator and came over to her and asked if she knew of any antique shops in the area. She said, yeah, in fact the street down a few blocks had a bunch of them on it. He asked for directions and she asked him if he would like her to call him a ride over there since they had cars waiting for such requests. He said no thanks, I would rather take a walk and look around a bit. She asked if he was sure, it was kind of a dicey neighborhood around there, but he said no, don't bother, he needed some exercise. So out the door he went, on foot. A couple of hours later he returned, with a lamp and some other smallish things he had bought and asked her if she could have these wrapped and mailed to an address he would give her. She said of course and Charlie called the desk from his room with the address.

She said he was the coolest person she had ever met and was just totally amazed that he seemed so friendly and unaffected by it all. Didn't want a limo, didn't want any special treatment, didn't want to cause any trouble or extra work, just wanted to go for a walk and look at some antiques. This was quite in contrast to most of the others she had come into contact with during their stay there, though she did say they were all very courteous and there was not much of any commotion from the floor they had reserved for themselves, wasn't even a mob scene of fans in the lobby or anything.

The next morning she was not in when they left the hotel but Charlie had stopped at the desk to thank her again, and told the person there he really appreciated the interaction he had with her the previous day. Everyone at the hotel was really impressed by that.

jb