PeteTtownshend`s tribute to charlie watts

“I only played with Charlie once, when he drummed for Ronnie Lane and me on our Rough Mix album. We did two faultless live takes (no overdubs at all) of my song ‘My Baby Gives It Away’. His technique was obvious immediately, the hi-hat always slightly late, and the snare drumstick held in the flat of the left hand, underpowered to some extent, lazy-loose, super-cool. The swing on the track is explosive. I’ve never enjoyed playing with a drummer quite so much. Of course that brings up Keith Moon, who was so different to Charlie. At Keith’s funeral Charlie surprised me by openly weeping, and I remember wishing I could wear my heart on my sleeve like that. I was tightened up like a snare drum myself.

Charlie lived a quiet life in the English countryside. He had a London bolthole in St James’s for many years which I think he used mainly to visit his tailor and buy paintings. He is the exemplar of the perfect marriage, still married to his art-school girlfriend who he married secretly in 1964. I understand he lived a quiet and respectable life on the road as well. I know that like me he wasn’t mad on touring, but that wry smile of his – that hid a mischievous side to him that few us saw – could turn into the most beautiful wide-mouthed laugh at very little urging. I could make him smile simply by talking about growing up following my father Cliff’s post-war dance band. Charlie loved the ‘real’ music of that era.

I’ve said here that his playing on ‘My Baby Gives It Away’ was flawless. I have suddenly remembered that he had trouble with the clipped ending. On the second take he nailed it, but was so shocked he had managed it that he burst into laughter and fell off his stool. That was a Keith Moon stunt, ask any drummer what they most dread doing and they will probably reply that they never want to fall off their stool.”

~ PETE TOWNSHEND

Didn’t he play with CW at the 100 Club too? The Stu gig in ‘86.

JumpingKentFlash

Did he say this Charlie passed or is it an older quote?


plexi

That was sweer.

That was a really great tribute by Pete...and my first time to London was in 1986...I went to the 100 Club only to be told that I'd missed the Charlie Watts gig by one week. I was crushed! So JUMPINGKENTFLASH, you're right..that famous gig was in 1986 and included a few " all-stars!"
It is small consolation to us in mourning now, however these tributes that are piling in by those who knew Charlie are heart-warming...takes a bit of the sting away...just a little.

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DrPete
PeteTtownshend`s tribute to charlie watts

Of course that brings up Keith Moon, who was so different to Charlie. At Keith’s funeral Charlie surprised me by openly weeping, and I remember wishing I could wear my heart on my sleeve like that. I was tightened up like a snare drum myself.

A point I was trying to make in another thread. People have feelings and grieving is a personal thing. The music can wait.

A beautiful tribute.

Pete can be a bit of a dick sometimes but his tribute to Charlie was heartfelt and shows real class.

Pete can write some very poignant tributes. I liked his one when Brian died.

Very nice of Pete to say all this. Thank you!

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Long live rock........

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

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timbernardis
Did he say this Charlie passed or is it an older quote?


plexi

Seems to be in the past tense... It's from today.

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Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2021-08-25 22:49 by Topi.

Beautiful. Pete's a great writer/speaker. He gets to the heart of the matter.

Wonderful tribute by Pete.

~"Love is Strong"~

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Re: Pete Townshend s tribute to Charlie new
Posted by: Valeswood ()
Date: August 25, 2021 20:22

Pete can be a bit of a dick sometimes but his tribute to Charlie was heartfelt and shows real class.

i agree but this was beautiful
thank you pete made me smile

thank you pete

Yes that was a beautiful remembrance by Pete Townshend