Speaking of Charlie, I rode down in an elevator with him in Boston at the Four Seasons when they opened there for the 2005 tour. I had friends staying at the hotel and they invited me over for drinks. Another funny story that one… anyway as I left the room to go back to my hotel I pushed the button on the elevator to go down to the lobby. The door opens and there standing with his granddaughter was the man himself, Charlie Watts in a dapper suit, the rest of the elevator empty. I made friendly eye contact and stepped aside. When we arrived at the lobby and the doors opened I said have a great tour. He turned to me, smiled and said thank you, and off he went hand in hand with his granddaughter. I was pinching myself as I left the hotel thinking "did this really happen?"

Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club. Charlie was going to play with his Tentet that day (first of, I think 10 performances, but not sure anymore). I was allowed to go in during the day when they were doing their rehearsals for the evening. Charlie's lady manager for those gigs asked me to try and "operate" as quiet as possible because Charlie was nervous. I took some (flash free) shots from where I was sitting and waited for him to finish his interview with Channel 4 TV. I didn't notice the moment he was finished and, surprise, I felt a hand on my shoulder. When I looked up it was Charlie. He smiled at me friendly, I smiled back and shook his hand. No words needed. He went to his drumset and I took a photo of him there. I had asked his manager if I could get his autograph for the fanzine I wrote the story for. I gave here a blanc piece of paper. She later handed it to me with his unique signature.
Charlie Watts and his Tentet went on rehearsing and I came to see them that same (first) evening.
The exchange of smiles, who could ever forget that?

In Denver CO we happened to stay in the Westin Hotel (a bit costly, but close, walking distance, to the concert venue). Ready to go to the concert and entering the elevator, there were two ladies in already. One was Charlie's wife Shirley. Obviously we didn't bother them. Since I had a Stones T-shirt I had to leave the lobby, while my wife was allowed to stay in inside .
I went out and walked to an ocher coloured limousine to chat with the chauffeur. He didn't say for whom he was waiting. Still we (including a lady of Rocks Off) had a nice conversation. Then, before we really noticed, Charlie turned up! The chauffeur smiled at our surprise. The Rocks Off lady asked for his autograph and got it. Charlie thought I wanted one too, but instead I shook his hand and wished him (and us) a great concert. He smiled and said "thank you". I asked him then if it was okay to take a photo. He smiled again and said "off course". So I did. Then he stepped into the limousine and left for the venue.

... Charlie Watts ...

I'm a GHOST living in a ghost town



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021-08-28 10:15 by georgie48.

bob lefsetz wrote a lovely piece about charlie:

[lefsetz.com]

and he always posts the replies

most were about meeting charlie - and what a gent he always was

thought i'd paste them in here:


Over the years Simple Minds have worked with the Rolling Stones on a number of occasions, mostly at various European festivals. It’s always an honour, albeit surreal. How come? Duh… Because they are the f*cking ‘Rolling Stones.’ And whilst others might refer to them as “Rock Royalty etc.” - on a good night I have found myself thinking that what I was witnessing was more comparable to genuine ‘Zen Masters.’ A mere quirk of fate - you don’t have to do anything to be born into royalty. Whereas be 'a master' at anything? I don’t need to tell you that it takes colossal effort and sacrifice.

Other memories, particularly of Charlie? Well, we once shared a studio complex in the centre of Manhattan during the mid eighties, and although the rooms we worked in were of course seperate, we nevertheless shared the main area where they would all hang out for hours, to the extent I always wondered how the Stones ever got any work done?
To say that they could not have been friendlier, even encouraging, is an understatement. As individual characters they were as impossible not to love, as it is impossible for me not to love 'the feel’ of say, Gimme Shelter,’ ‘Honky Tonk Woman’ and ‘Brown Sugar’ in particular.

Years later, backstage at a festival site in Belgium, I was delighted to be greeted by Charlie who informed me that he was having ‘A good old fashioned cup of English Breakfast tea’ - with China teapot and all - “If you fancy joining me?”

I certainly did fancy joining him. What a pleasure that was!

Rest In Peace Charlie Watts.

Jim Kerr

________________________________________

In 1989, I was asked to join up with The Rolling Stones on their Steel Wheels Tour, as their tour photographer. I had worked with Keith and Ronnie before but didn’t know any of the other guys. I kept a low profile, doing my job and not bothering anyone. About a week in, while waiting in line for dinner at the buffet, I heard a voice from behind me say “Hey Paul, we have a day off in your home town next week. Can you show me around and help me find a place to buy a suit?” I turned around and was face to face with Charlie Watts. Now….anyone who knows me knows that I know ABSOLUTELY nothing about suits, but I did my research and on our off day, I called down to the concierge and ordered up a car and driver, called Charlie and he and I spent a lovely morning shopping for suits in Chicago!!

A week later we were in NYC, doing a 4 night stand at Shea Stadium. After sound check, I wandered in backstage and saw Charlie and his lovely wife Shirley sitting on a couch. He called me over and asked if I could do him a favor. Of Course- what do you need? Seems that Shirley wanted to grab a basket of apples and go outside and feed the police horses on the street. Would I accompany here and keep her safe? Once again- Of Course!! So Shirley and I went out to the street and fed the horses. Most likely none of the cops on horseback had any idea who she was, but it made Charlie so happy to see Shirley happy.

Every time I would see him after that he always asked me how my business was doing, and how my health was.

All in all, in 40 years of photographing musicians, I have never met anyone who was as nice (and classy) as Mr. Watts- also never met anyone his equal as a drummer!!!

Paul Natkin

________________________________________

Thanks, Bob, for the insight into Charlie Watts and his place in the rock pantheon.
My high school band opened for the Stones in Dayton, Ohio, on their second US tour in November '64.

The converted barn the promoter used for the show only had one "dressing room" for the bands. Brian Jones wasn't even there. He had gone on to Chicago to prep for the next day's recording session at Chess. Mick sat back in a folding chair with a hat over his eyes the whole time and Keith noodled in the corner with his guitar up to his ears as there was no practice amp. Charlie and Bill, on the other hand, were so nice and chatty and outgoing the whole time. They discussed gear and performance venues in the UK compared to the US with us and how much they were looking forward to recording in Chicago and so much more. Sadly, we were too cool to have a camera with us. But the memory is etched in my mind forever regarding the classiness of Bill and Charlie.

Larry Butler

________________________________________

Hello Bob,
Like everyone, I am very upset at Charlie’s passing. He had a major impact on my life. I was born and raised in Toronto. As a young itchy teenager, my claim to fame was having pictures of Charlie Watts with my grandfather in Liverpool. He was a gunsmith and dealer in antique firearms. I was told that Charlie bought many items for his private collection from my grandfather, and visited my grandparents in Liverpool frequently.
The visits were well documented as my grandfather was also an avid photographer. Growing up in 70’s Toronto and having many pictures of a Rolling Stone made me a cool dude! I learned from my dad, that Charlie was a lover of history, and he was very interested in the American Civil War and The Wild West.

Fast forward… I fell into the music business, and it became my thing. In 1994, I was the in house promoter/venue manager for Toronto’s RPM, and the soon to open Warehouse. Rumours were swirling about a Stones club gig, and what venue would be fortunate enough to get it. One glorious life changing day, my phone rang and it was Arthur Fogel from CPI. He asked me to hold a date for The Rolling Stones Voodoo Lounge Secret Warm Up Gig!!!!! It was made very clear that if the word leaked out, the gig would be cancelled. I kept it a secret for two weeks, and later I received a call that Michael Cohl wanted to do a private walk through of the venue. We met and it was a go however it had to remain a secret.

The big day came and all went well for set up and sound check. I met the Stone’s security people, and I decided to make the big ask. I gave them a brief outline of my deceased grandfather’s relationship with Charlie and I asked if it would be possible to say hello. I was not expecting much as I was sure Charlie had more on his mind than to say hello to some punter. Next thing you know, two very big men came and guided me to Charlie’s dressing room. He wanted to meet me!!!!!

I spent twenty minutes talking to a wonderful, humble, and passionate man about my grandfather, antique firearms, and military history. It was a day that I have never forgotten. I have met many rockstars. He was the coolest.
R.I.P. Mr Watts.

Regards,
Gareth Brown

________________________________________

I worked a Micheal Cohl/TNA presents Rolling Stone show in Fargo on Feb 17, 1999 for the “No Security “ tour. Since I was working backstage and in the dressing rooms I had to meet the band, every last one of them. Their long time head of security, Jim Callaghan, took me to meet them and one after one I shook hands said hello and carried on.. Charlie being the gent he was started chatting with me , where I was from and so on. Exactly like I expected him to be. I was always a huge fan of the band but Charlie was the man. Loved his effortless style, always playing the hi hat on the 2 and 4 and always deep in a shuffle/jazz pocket. Even after 23 years and over a thousand concerts under my belt it’s still a highlight..after the show the band wanted to watch “ Fargo” so we had a huge rear projection tv shipped up from Minneapolis. Us and the crew sat and watched the film together. Later that night I had drinks at the Holiday Inn bar and Bobby Keys was there.. couldn’t have been more perfect.

I remember back in 1989/90 when “Steel Wheels” came out the Simpson’s writers put a poster in Lisa’s bedroom that said “Steel Wheelchair” tour.. that was 31 years ago! A lot of the critics thought the band should’ve packed in years before that! As we all know they were wrong, the band kicked ass for decades to come and likely will continue to do so for a few more with Steve Jordan on the kit.

We’ve had a lot of loss lately but this one surprised me the most because it was the loss of an “immortal”
Or at least he was to me.

All the best and keep the letters coming!

Chris Frayer

________________________________________

Four whole days
I sat outside the Stones rehearsal in 2013.
I heard Charlie and Keith put it all together piece by piece before anyone else arrived.
I saw Mick pose & primp - Keith ignore it and laugh - and even got into their private pre tour show at The Echo.
I’d seen The Stones many times before. But seeing the skeleton take its baby steps then become a full , stadium filling spectacle , was a real education.

Seeing me off to the side for such a long time , saying nothing and calling no attention to myself -

it was Charlie who came out to say hello.

It really was a GAS GAS GAS

Mark Flores
Guitar / SAG

________________________________________

Truly one of the kings.

I worked as an assistant engineer on a jazz quintet radio session with him in 2006. I was just a kid, clearly nervous in the presence of royalty. He couldn't have been cooler - joking with the crew, having a great time around jazz players, so happy to be talking about jazz and not the Stones.

I asked him if he knew Elvin Jones and he said "Oh Elvin was the best, real drummer, not like what I do".

Two things struck me:
1. He played with FORCE. Even with a bebop style quintet, there was no mistaking that he played with clear confidence and intention. He generated a shocking amount of volume.
2. He smelled AMAZING. Obviously the best dressed in the room, but no one expects the drummer to be the best smelling individual on the session.

RIP to the legend.

Steve Weiss

________________________________________

Back in 2014 I got called to cover Charlie’s project The ABC&D of Boogie Woogie for Keyboard Magazine at the Iridium in New York City. I had a blast interviewing pianist Ben Waters before the show, so much so that he invited me back that night to catch the gig.

Afterwards I went backstage to thank him, and I immediately was standing next to Charlie in the club’s clandestine dressing room. Ben tells him, “Charlie, this is Jon. He’s a great jazz pianist.”

And suddenly, Charlie’s eyes lit up and his expression changed, as if I gave the password to the doorman at an exclusive after hours club. He immediately started chatting to me about jazz, and his favorite players and records. For a moment I was part of the band.

I’m sure I’m just one of countless admirers of his who he made feel special. But it made a lasting impression on me. Sometimes you meet your heroes and you wish you hadn’t. But Charlie was a giant on and off the bandstand. How many people can you say that about?

Be well,

Jon Regen

September 17, 2005, Albany's Pepsi Arena...A very dear friend with connections to the Stones camp got me a backstage pass, the only stipulation was that I was not to engage with any member of the band should I cross their path. I agreed and went along for the tour with a lovely girl assigned to be my escort. It was interesting, seeing their rooms, the tables full of food & drink etc and just as we were heading out, towards the VIP Lounge, Charlie walked out of his dressing room door right ahead of me...I looked at my escort and quietly said " Don't worry, I'm cool"...and it really killed me not to say as I passed " I'm so happy to see you so well and back on tour " ...this was just after his first throat cancer scare in 2004 and he'd obviously completed treatment and was doing fine. We simply looked at each other and someone called to him and off he went...my Stones connection has since said she was so sorry I didn't just say " Hello Charlie"...it still haunts me because I know he would have been polite and said something to me. I have learned that it's all about how you approach a celebrity...that determines the outcome!



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2021-08-27 07:01 by mickschix.

a few more from the lefsetz letter:


Subject: my Charlie Watts story

While I was a college music student in the mid 1970s I had a summer job as record clerk at a Sam Goody record store in midtown Manhattan. My job was to keep the shelves and racks of LPs, cassettes and 8-tracks organized and to assist shoppers in finding what they were looking for. One afternoon Charlie Watts walked in and started browsing! I was awe struck, but since it was my job, I approached him and ask if I could help him. He said I could indeed, and pulled out of his pocket a handwritten list of records he wanted. There were dozens of records on the list, the majority of them jazz of all kinds, but also many classical, rock, and folk records. I located almost everything on his list, which took a while, and we started to chat as I worked. After I told him I was a huge fan of his band and a music student and a guitarist, clarinetist, and composer, he asked me what music I liked. I mentioned several 20th century pieces I liked, including some pieces by Bartok, Stravinsky, Penderecki, electronic music by Davidovsky, as well as some obscure rock music, much of which he’d never heard. He asked me to find all those records I mentioned and add them to his large pile of LPs, saying he wanted to expand his musical horizons. Besides being one of the best drummers around, Charlie Watts was a good, interesting man who treated people with respect and had a thirst for music of all kinds.

- Elliot Sokolov

______________________________________

Subject: Charlie Watts

Dear Bob,

It still amazes me that 21 years later, I got to work with my pre-teen idols — and not just work... bassist Bill Wyman and I became friends for a while and would hang out together — and I feel for Bill today because he loved Charlie like a brother. When Eddie Arno and I formed Arno & Innocenti Pictures in London's Charing Cross Road back in 1986, Charlie was our first client — a multi-camera shoot of the live recording (per the Rolling Stones Mobile, naturally) of his jazz "big band", the Charlie Watts Orchestra. It's true that in those years Charlie was struggling with alcohol — but he was never "drunk" — that's unimaginable. Perhaps his natural English eccentricity was more pronounced — but even then, you didn't know if he was having a laugh at your expense or not, because he was always so deadpan. I remember thanking him once when we'd come to the end of a long day's shoot and he said, 'What are you thanking me for?' 'For the filming, Charlie', I replied, waving my arm at the lights and camera equipment being dismantled all around us. 'What filming?' he asked. Poker-faced.

It's well-documented that he was one of the world's Best Dressed Men. I remember being astonished the first time I saw him out of the "work" clothes he wore on stage and changed into his "street" attire. He was immaculate — and his taste was incredible. He was dressed way better than anyone I ever saw, including male icons from movies — but he wore the clothes as if he was completely unaware of how well he was turned out.

Most of the fun stories about Charlie were told to me by Bill — including the famous one where the singer summoned "his drummer" late at night, and Charlie got out of bed, dressed impeccably (as always), knocked on the singer's door and punched him in the face with the immortal line "I'm not your f**king drummer." Less well known are the stories of Charlie's generosity and kindness — some of them quite eccentric, like the time in Paris during a rainstorm when he saw an elderly homeless woman get drenched after a passing car went through a puddle. He took her into a nearby clothing store and got her completely outfitted — shoes, hat, purse — the lot.

I think the moment I realized how nice a man Charlie was, and how empathetic he could be, happened one day in Olympic Studios. We were doing the final mix on the jazz film and it cut to a shot of Jack Bruce (also struggling with alcoholism) who'd played cello. Charlie wanted the fader raised so we could hear what Jack was playing. It turned out to be a single, long sorrowful note — not in any way connected to the music the rest of the band were playing. Charlie leaned forward and brought the fader down. "Poor Jack," he said, gently — in a tone filled with understanding and with not a trace of disdain.

Can't stop thinking about him these past two days, and what an amazing gentleman he was.

Markus Innocenti

______________________________________

Subject: Re: Re-Charlie Watts

July 16, 1994. The Rolling Stones are rehearsing for the Voodoo Lounge Tour in the gymnasium at Crescent Boys School in Toronto. I get a call from Benji LeFevre, their FOH soundman to bring the mobile there to record a six minute piece of music to be played at every stop on the tour, from when the house lights go down to when Charlie Watts appears onstage, playing the Bo Diddley beat drum intro to “Not Fade Away”, the opening song in their set. The idea is that Benji will crossfade out of the tape and into the live drum kit, and since we would be using the same mics at the same distance from the drums as the stage setup, it would be seamless. So we just need Charlie to play a four bar segment perfectly, and I will create a drum tape loop in the truck (hey, it was 1994) off the 24 track 2" machine to extend it to six minutes. Charlie came in, hung up his jacket on a hanger behind the kit, and started to play. (who else but Charlie Watts would wear a suit jacket to a band rehearsal in Toronto in July!) He later came out to the truck, signed an autograph for me, took a look at my shoes, and asked me where I bought them. He then sent a runner to Aldo's at the Eaton Centre to purchase a pair for himself. The runner took my shoes with him to be sure he'd get the same pair. (no cel phone cameras back in '94) I spent the next hour in the mobile at the console my socks.

I felt like I was taking to English Royalty, but then again, I guess I was! Charlie spent a lot of time in the truck that day, as he and Jagger were producing the session.

We recorded him for about 30 minutes, then stopped. I wasn't sure why, until one of the Stones' roadies came in with a cup of tea on a saucer for Charlie. For a true English gentleman, everything stops for tea! Needless to say, it was a pretty memorable day. Jagger overdubbed maracas, and Chuck Leavell overdubbed keyboards after that. There were also jet sound fx, and they even brought in a couple of people to overdub conversation in an African language as part off the big sound collage. We then transferred the 24 track analog tape to DA88 digital tape, brought those machines into the gym where the p.a console was set up, and Benji did the final mix through the p.a speaker stack at concert volume.

In addition to getting paid for the three days we were there recording, editing and mixing the track, they gave us tickets to their concert at Exhibition Stadium on Aug 7, but that was the day I moved into my current house, so I never actually got to hear the track played back in a concert setting! Here's a link to one of the shows on that tour with the recording at the top. [www.youtube.com]?

By the way, Jagger did the maracas overdub in one take. I complemented him on it, and he said, "I learned from the best: Bo Diddley's percussionist Jerome Green."

Regards,

Doug McClement?
LiveWire Remote Recorders?
Toronto, Canada

______________________________________

Subject: Re: Charlie Watts

Loved the last para in your Charlie tribute. Well done.

I am from the States, but lived in London from 2009-2015. On March 17, 2012. I went to see Charlie and his ABC&D of jazz ensemble. They were playing in Soho at the Pizza Express, a pizza restaurant/chain that was known for putting on great live jazz shows.

I am a massive Stones fan (25 gigs, 5 countries, 3 continents since 1994). I went to Charlie’s gig to see the man, not necessarily to hear the music. The venue is table setting and cozy. I had a seat by myself at a small table the back of the room by the mixing board.

At the intermission I stood up against the wall next to the mixing board. Who should walk up and stand next to me? Charlie. He was waiting to go up and play the next set.

I introduced myself and we talked about his gig and his ensemble. He asked where I was from, how long I had been living in London… just small talk. I thanked him for all the music he’s made and made a simple comment about how much I appreciated he and the Stones. The conversation lasted about 10 minutes. I played it pretty cool and didn’t overwhelm with Stones fan-boy talk.

Before he left to make his way to the stage, I thanked him for his time. He was standing to my left. He turned, put his hands on my shoulders and made a double pat gesture, nodded, smiled and walked off.

I felt like I had been blessed!

Cool, calm, collected and genuine.

He was very kind to take 10 minutes to talk to a fan. I was one of many fans he’s interacted with, but for me it was a music-fan life moment.

To your point… “these heroes and their music keep you going.”

Judd Marcello

______________________________________

From: paul draper
Subject: Re: Re-Charlie Watts

Bob,

When my band Mansun were working on our second album at Olympic Studios in 98 Charlie was working on his jazz record in studio 1, we would sneak a look in the live room at his Gretsch kit bathed in spotlights. Olympic studio 1 was long used by the Stones, Zepplin, Hendrix and even the venue for the All You Need is love broadcast by the Beatles, history dripped in the place, Claptons pick was glued to the wall. Being the UK, we scrapped Olympic as a studio instead of protecting it like the UK government finally stepped in to save Abbey Road during the Napster era, designating it a Grade 1 listed building. They turned Olympic into a cinema, however in the cauldron of the UK music scene in the 90’s Mansun were holed up trying to follow up our UK No1 debut, The Verve were recording Urban Hymns, Massive Attack were mixing Mezzanine and even Clapton was in. Charlie would arrive in the morning at Olympic in a fleet of Bentleys with his crew of East End chaps having been driven from his stud farm in Devon. The whole place was buzzing to be there at the same time as Charlie. A better dressed man Ive never seen, dapper and stylish, immaculate. A friendlier man Ive never met, he made us all cups of tea, he talks to us all as if he’d know us for years, quiet and unassuming but his presence was massive to us. Us young upstarts at the coalface of Britpop and the 90s British music scene, in awe of this living legend, he showed us all humility in the testosterone fuelled competitive atmosphere of Olympic back then.

Charlie was kind and considerate when you met him, nurturing to younger musicians, no ego, he stunned us all with his grace, but we just wanted to hear him play. The groove between his kick and snr was indeed born only from a jazz man but the feel has always been the greatest in the business, his unique hi hat style were unparalleled, check out Jumping Jack Flash at Glastonbury to see a wonderful musician in his 70s blowing away and taking 100,000 kids into an extracy that makes life worth living for at that moment, and a man so lovely, humble and gentle I cried when I heard of his passing, he touched my life.

In the UK yesterday they were blasting out Gimme Shelter at the Cricket match, England vs India, the front of the UK press was plastered with deserved tributes to Charlie pushing Afghanistan off the front pages, we’ve had a delayed reaction in the UK to Charlies passing. Kenny Jones has been on Sky News referring to Charlie like he’s still here and that his incredible catalogue of grooves and feel that made a whole generation rock and roll means he will be with us way beyond his mortal years. This makes us feel just a tiny bit better about loosing him, he’s been with us all our lives, he touched us all and his legend has exploded in the last 24 hours in the uK.

Paul Draper

Quote
rayrad
bob lefsetz wrote a lovely piece about charlie:

[lefsetz.com]

and he always posts the replies

most were about meeting charlie - and what a gent he always was

thought i'd paste them in here:


Over the years Simple Minds have worked with the Rolling Stones on a number of occasions, mostly at various European festivals. It’s always an honour, albeit surreal. How come? Duh… Because they are the f*cking ‘Rolling Stones.’ And whilst others might refer to them as “Rock Royalty etc.” - on a good night I have found myself thinking that what I was witnessing was more comparable to genuine ‘Zen Masters.’ A mere quirk of fate - you don’t have to do anything to be born into royalty. Whereas be 'a master' at anything? I don’t need to tell you that it takes colossal effort and sacrifice.

Other memories, particularly of Charlie? Well, we once shared a studio complex in the centre of Manhattan during the mid eighties, and although the rooms we worked in were of course seperate, we nevertheless shared the main area where they would all hang out for hours, to the extent I always wondered how the Stones ever got any work done?
To say that they could not have been friendlier, even encouraging, is an understatement. As individual characters they were as impossible not to love, as it is impossible for me not to love 'the feel’ of say, Gimme Shelter,’ ‘Honky Tonk Woman’ and ‘Brown Sugar’ in particular.

Years later, backstage at a festival site in Belgium, I was delighted to be greeted by Charlie who informed me that he was having ‘A good old fashioned cup of English Breakfast tea’ - with China teapot and all - “If you fancy joining me?”

I certainly did fancy joining him. What a pleasure that was!

Rest In Peace Charlie Watts.

Jim Kerr

________________________________________

In 1989, I was asked to join up with The Rolling Stones on their Steel Wheels Tour, as their tour photographer. I had worked with Keith and Ronnie before but didn’t know any of the other guys. I kept a low profile, doing my job and not bothering anyone. About a week in, while waiting in line for dinner at the buffet, I heard a voice from behind me say “Hey Paul, we have a day off in your home town next week. Can you show me around and help me find a place to buy a suit?” I turned around and was face to face with Charlie Watts. Now….anyone who knows me knows that I know ABSOLUTELY nothing about suits, but I did my research and on our off day, I called down to the concierge and ordered up a car and driver, called Charlie and he and I spent a lovely morning shopping for suits in Chicago!!

A week later we were in NYC, doing a 4 night stand at Shea Stadium. After sound check, I wandered in backstage and saw Charlie and his lovely wife Shirley sitting on a couch. He called me over and asked if I could do him a favor. Of Course- what do you need? Seems that Shirley wanted to grab a basket of apples and go outside and feed the police horses on the street. Would I accompany here and keep her safe? Once again- Of Course!! So Shirley and I went out to the street and fed the horses. Most likely none of the cops on horseback had any idea who she was, but it made Charlie so happy to see Shirley happy.

Every time I would see him after that he always asked me how my business was doing, and how my health was.

All in all, in 40 years of photographing musicians, I have never met anyone who was as nice (and classy) as Mr. Watts- also never met anyone his equal as a drummer!!!

Paul Natkin

________________________________________

Thanks, Bob, for the insight into Charlie Watts and his place in the rock pantheon.
My high school band opened for the Stones in Dayton, Ohio, on their second US tour in November '64.

The converted barn the promoter used for the show only had one "dressing room" for the bands. Brian Jones wasn't even there. He had gone on to Chicago to prep for the next day's recording session at Chess. Mick sat back in a folding chair with a hat over his eyes the whole time and Keith noodled in the corner with his guitar up to his ears as there was no practice amp. Charlie and Bill, on the other hand, were so nice and chatty and outgoing the whole time. They discussed gear and performance venues in the UK compared to the US with us and how much they were looking forward to recording in Chicago and so much more. Sadly, we were too cool to have a camera with us. But the memory is etched in my mind forever regarding the classiness of Bill and Charlie.

Larry Butler

________________________________________

Hello Bob,
Like everyone, I am very upset at Charlie’s passing. He had a major impact on my life. I was born and raised in Toronto. As a young itchy teenager, my claim to fame was having pictures of Charlie Watts with my grandfather in Liverpool. He was a gunsmith and dealer in antique firearms. I was told that Charlie bought many items for his private collection from my grandfather, and visited my grandparents in Liverpool frequently.
The visits were well documented as my grandfather was also an avid photographer. Growing up in 70’s Toronto and having many pictures of a Rolling Stone made me a cool dude! I learned from my dad, that Charlie was a lover of history, and he was very interested in the American Civil War and The Wild West.

Fast forward… I fell into the music business, and it became my thing. In 1994, I was the in house promoter/venue manager for Toronto’s RPM, and the soon to open Warehouse. Rumours were swirling about a Stones club gig, and what venue would be fortunate enough to get it. One glorious life changing day, my phone rang and it was Arthur Fogel from CPI. He asked me to hold a date for The Rolling Stones Voodoo Lounge Secret Warm Up Gig!!!!! It was made very clear that if the word leaked out, the gig would be cancelled. I kept it a secret for two weeks, and later I received a call that Michael Cohl wanted to do a private walk through of the venue. We met and it was a go however it had to remain a secret.

The big day came and all went well for set up and sound check. I met the Stone’s security people, and I decided to make the big ask. I gave them a brief outline of my deceased grandfather’s relationship with Charlie and I asked if it would be possible to say hello. I was not expecting much as I was sure Charlie had more on his mind than to say hello to some punter. Next thing you know, two very big men came and guided me to Charlie’s dressing room. He wanted to meet me!!!!!

I spent twenty minutes talking to a wonderful, humble, and passionate man about my grandfather, antique firearms, and military history. It was a day that I have never forgotten. I have met many rockstars. He was the coolest.
R.I.P. Mr Watts.

Regards,
Gareth Brown

________________________________________

I worked a Micheal Cohl/TNA presents Rolling Stone show in Fargo on Feb 17, 1999 for the “No Security “ tour. Since I was working backstage and in the dressing rooms I had to meet the band, every last one of them. Their long time head of security, Jim Callaghan, took me to meet them and one after one I shook hands said hello and carried on.. Charlie being the gent he was started chatting with me , where I was from and so on. Exactly like I expected him to be. I was always a huge fan of the band but Charlie was the man. Loved his effortless style, always playing the hi hat on the 2 and 4 and always deep in a shuffle/jazz pocket. Even after 23 years and over a thousand concerts under my belt it’s still a highlight..after the show the band wanted to watch “ Fargo” so we had a huge rear projection tv shipped up from Minneapolis. Us and the crew sat and watched the film together. Later that night I had drinks at the Holiday Inn bar and Bobby Keys was there.. couldn’t have been more perfect.

I remember back in 1989/90 when “Steel Wheels” came out the Simpson’s writers put a poster in Lisa’s bedroom that said “Steel Wheelchair” tour.. that was 31 years ago! A lot of the critics thought the band should’ve packed in years before that! As we all know they were wrong, the band kicked ass for decades to come and likely will continue to do so for a few more with Steve Jordan on the kit.

We’ve had a lot of loss lately but this one surprised me the most because it was the loss of an “immortal”
Or at least he was to me.

All the best and keep the letters coming!

Chris Frayer

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Four whole days
I sat outside the Stones rehearsal in 2013.
I heard Charlie and Keith put it all together piece by piece before anyone else arrived.
I saw Mick pose & primp - Keith ignore it and laugh - and even got into their private pre tour show at The Echo.
I’d seen The Stones many times before. But seeing the skeleton take its baby steps then become a full , stadium filling spectacle , was a real education.

Seeing me off to the side for such a long time , saying nothing and calling no attention to myself -

it was Charlie who came out to say hello.

It really was a GAS GAS GAS

Mark Flores
Guitar / SAG

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Truly one of the kings.

I worked as an assistant engineer on a jazz quintet radio session with him in 2006. I was just a kid, clearly nervous in the presence of royalty. He couldn't have been cooler - joking with the crew, having a great time around jazz players, so happy to be talking about jazz and not the Stones.

I asked him if he knew Elvin Jones and he said "Oh Elvin was the best, real drummer, not like what I do".

Two things struck me:
1. He played with FORCE. Even with a bebop style quintet, there was no mistaking that he played with clear confidence and intention. He generated a shocking amount of volume.
2. He smelled AMAZING. Obviously the best dressed in the room, but no one expects the drummer to be the best smelling individual on the session.

RIP to the legend.

Steve Weiss

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Back in 2014 I got called to cover Charlie’s project The ABC&D of Boogie Woogie for Keyboard Magazine at the Iridium in New York City. I had a blast interviewing pianist Ben Waters before the show, so much so that he invited me back that night to catch the gig.

Afterwards I went backstage to thank him, and I immediately was standing next to Charlie in the club’s clandestine dressing room. Ben tells him, “Charlie, this is Jon. He’s a great jazz pianist.”

And suddenly, Charlie’s eyes lit up and his expression changed, as if I gave the password to the doorman at an exclusive after hours club. He immediately started chatting to me about jazz, and his favorite players and records. For a moment I was part of the band.

I’m sure I’m just one of countless admirers of his who he made feel special. But it made a lasting impression on me. Sometimes you meet your heroes and you wish you hadn’t. But Charlie was a giant on and off the bandstand. How many people can you say that about?

Be well,

Jon Regen

Thank you for posting those lovely anecdotes and remembrances. People generally tell nice stories after a death but so many tales of Charlie's gracious manners and elegant kindness have the ring of total authenticity.

sweet memories over here! Thanks,

I have been so sad since the news about the passing of Charlie came to me on Tuesday, I can not work much, but I have tried to compile some memories. The below "meeting Charlie" memories are from the blog post I just wrote last night.

Charlie Watts In Memory (stoneslife.org)

Charlie did not have any personal security, not until recent years. Charlie was able to take care of himself, and most people would not even bother him. I remember meeting Charlie walking on the Chicago sidewalk between the two shows there, on September 24, 1997. I was with tour pal Paul. We had a great chat with Charlie, who was a bit surprised about meeting fans as usual. We told him how much we loved the opening show of the tour last night. Then we told him we were looking forward to the next show tomorrow. He was so surprised, he could not really understand why we would go and see another show, since we had seen the show already… That was how Charlie was to me, he was always a gentleman, polite, still surprised about the fact that some of us just had to see him and his band again and again.

Bjornulf



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021-08-27 19:17 by bv.

Never met the man, although I nearly, literally, bumped into him once.
Was at a Lisa Fischer concert in Indio, CA the night before Desert Trip weekend two.

Many of us Stones fans were there in a ballroom of a hotel the night before the epic three day event.
There to see Lisa, but when the boys were around of course everyone went with hopes of seeing one or more of them.

I stood in a long line at a bar they had set up in the ballroom.
Got my drinks, and made my way from the bar with a drink in each hand, eyes on them being careful not to spill.
Walked (almost) right into Charlie Watts, who was just standing there back to the bar, surveying the venue and the crowd.

Don't know who was more surprised him or me (actually, it was me) as I almost spilled my drinks on him. I made some kind of "Oops" sound, but no words were spoken (I couldn't if I wanted). He stepped back a bit and turned around and smiled knowingly at my shocked face. I'll never forget the smile.

A companion (security?) of his then arrived with beverages in hand from the bar, and whisked Charlie to a nearby door which I assume led backstage.
Later, I believe he was seated with Keith and company in a corner table set aside for VIP's.

Was a great night. Lisa handed the torch to Sasha, which I was very grateful to be in attendance for.

Got two of his autographs. One at Tavastia club here in Helsinki when he played with The ABC&D Of Boogie Woogie. That was back in 2011. Saw the show from front and center, and it was great to get so close, even interact with Charlie during the show and thank him afterwards. Before the show he signed my Ya-Ya's box set. My first ever Stones autograph.

The 2nd autograph was in Vienna on the 14 On Fire tour in 2014. Both Charlie and Ronnie signed my Forty Licks CD cover.


Great memories! Short but sweet encounters. (Later on, I amended my signature collection with Mick and eventually Keith, but that's another story)



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2021-08-27 18:48 by Topi.

I was at Ronnie Scotts to see the Charlie Watts Tentet, back in the early 2000's with fellow IORR members 06230 and Midnight Messiah, and during the interval Charlie had to walk past our table to get to the Ronnie Scotts version of the Cotton Club. He kindly stopped to sign our programme and exchange a few words as we let him know how much we were enjoying the evening. As there were rumours of a Stones tour announcement in the air, I couldn't resist asking him "Charlie, is it true you may be returning to your day job soon?" His reply, in true Charlie fashion....."Yeah, too bloody soon!"

I never actually met him but the nearest I got was waiting to go into a smallish theatre in London (The New Ambassadors) for a "Boogie for Stu" fundraiser in 2011 where all the surviving Stones apart from Mick and Keith (but including Taylor) played with Ben Waters, Jools Holland, Axel Zwingenberger and Mick Hucknall. Charlie arrived on foot (with Bill) and said hello and a few pleasantries to those of us waiting to go into the auditorium before being let through a side door. No security whatsoever. He seemed relaxed and was very smiley - noticeably more so during the whole gig than I remember when playing in larger venues with the band. He and Bill seemed to get the biggest ovation (though Ronnie was very popular too) and it was a fantastic evening.

Quote
Manofwealthandtaste
I was at Ronnie Scotts to see the Charlie Watts Tentet, back in the early 2000's with fellow IORR members 06230 and Midnight Messiah, and during the interval Charlie had to walk past our table to get to the Ronnie Scotts version of the Cotton Club. He kindly stopped to sign our programme and exchange a few words as we let him know how much we were enjoying the evening. As there were rumours of a Stones tour announcement in the air, I couldn't resist asking him "Charlie, is it true you may be returning to your day job soon?" His reply, in true Charlie fashion....."Yeah, too bloody soon!"

Ah I love that

Have met Charlie in New York in jazz club during Stones tour. He was walking my way and I thanked him for the great shows they had in the area that week, her replied with O, thank you. It was very generous of him.