Saturday August 28, 2021 “Get off My Cloud” Rolling Stones
So Charlie Watts passed away earlier this week at the age 80 and my first inclination is to suggest that's a pretty good run for a rock icon and my second inclination is to wonder how it is possible that Keith Richards with his reckless lifestyle outlived the conservative Rolling Stone, Charlie Watts.
My drummer friends and relatives tell me that Charlie may not have been a flashy drummer like Keith Moon or a drummer that had an enormous drum kit like Neil Peart of Rush, or been out front singing while he played drums like Don Henley of the Eagles or Phil Collins but he was a human metronome that provided a consistent, solid backbeat that drove the band.
And unlike other members of the group Charlie was always the best dressed member usually sporting Savile Row suits and ties while he provided the rhythm for “It’s Only Rock & Roll” and so many other classic songs. He was also content to be the ‘drummer for the band’ by his own definition’, never drawing attention to himself but understanding the dynamics of the Stone’s performance.
It was difficult to pick a song to pay tribute to Charlie because I was immediately drawn to “Satisfaction” because IMHO that may be the greatest rock & roll song ever, and I am not that big a Rolling Stones fan, but I was listening to one of the many interviews about Charlie and his drumming and this particular drummer referenced “Get off My Cloud”.
He said this beat was intricate, completely simple and yet innovative, it continues for the entire song and if you eliminate that drum beat you have taken away the most identifiable piece of the song. Give it a listen and see if you agree.
Thank you Charlie for dedicating yourself to keeping the ‘grestest rock & roll band in the world’ on time.
Stay safe and well...and Charlie never looked like he was having a good time playing for the Stones, maybe that was because his real love was jazz.