Charlie Watts
Charlie Watts
Charles Robert "Charlie" Wattsis an English drummer, best known as a member of The Rolling Stones. Originally trained as a graphic artist, he started playing drums in London’s rhythm and blues clubs, where he met Brian Jones, Mick Jagger, and Keith Richards. In 1963, he joined their group, the Rolling Stones, as drummer, while doubling as designer of their record sleeves and tour stages. He has also toured with his own group, the Charlie Watts Quintet, and appeared at London’s...
NationalityBritish
ProfessionDrummer
Date of Birth2 June 1941
CityLondon, England
I have a very old-fashioned and traditional mode of dress. I get embarrassed, and I don't really like going to photo shoots. I don't like stylists.
I wanted to play drums because I fell in love with the glitter and the lights, but it wasn't about adulation. It was being up there playing.
I'm very strict with my packing and have everything in its right place. I never change a rule. I hardly use anything in the hotel room. I wheel my own wardrobe in and that's it.
Mick's not good on his own problems, but he's very good at other people's. He's been wonderful over the years. I don't mean I ring him up every week, but he's fantastic.
I never had lessons. Used to try to play to records, which I hated doing. Still can't play to them.
You need better technique than I have to play jazz, but what you have to do is the same thing, isn't it?
When people talk about the '60s I never think that was me there. It was me and I was in it, but I was never enamoured with all that. It's supposed to be sex and drugs and rock and roll and I'm not really like that. I've never really seen the Rolling Stones as anything.
It's been years and years and years I've been playing the drums, and they're still a challenge. I still enjoy using drumsticks and a snare drum.
I've seen Keith fall asleep at business meetings about millions of dollars for him-because of heroin, just nod out and then wake up and answer a question.
To be able to play as slow as Al Jackson is almost impossible.
I never weigh myself. But if I put my trousers on and they don't do up, then I don't eat until I can.
I didn't know what the hell Charlie Parker was playing... I just liked the way he played.
I hate leaving home. I love what I do, but I'd love to go home every night.
The world of this is a load of crap. You get all these bloody people, so incredibly sycophantic.