Charlie Watts was an anomaly — not just in the music business, but within the Rolling Stones as well. This was made clear not only by his elegant style of clothing and his stoic, jazz-influenced drumming — but also by his often wonderfully dry, calm manner. Regardless of whether it was about his colleagues, competitors or the possible end of the band: Watts always had one or the other another great quote ready.
1. About the Beatles
“They weren’t what I wanted to be. We played shows with them. They didn’t do anything on stage. None of them moved much.” (in an interview with ROLLING STONE)
2. About Mick Jagger
“Mick isn’t good at his own problems, but he’s very good at other people’s. He’s been wonderful over the years (when solving problems). I mean, not that I call him every week, but he’s fantastic.”
3. To Mick Jagger
“Don’t ever call me your drummer again. You’re my fucking singer”.
4. About rock ‘n’ roll
“Rock ‘n’ roll probably gave more than it took”.
5. About the essence of the Stones show
“Mick is the show, really. We support him. But Mick wouldn’t dance well if the sound was bad. With a lot of bands it doesn’t matter because the lead singer just stands there. It’s always been about playing right. I don’t mean technically brilliant… The rest is cotton candy, foam. You know, the costumes you wear, that’s… [zuckt mit den Schultern] What you really do is play the drums or the guitar.” (in an interview with the “Guardian”)
6. Beyond his initial expectations
“Originally, the Stones were just another band to me. I assumed that it would all be over after two years at the latest” (in an interview with “SZ”)
7. About the End of the Stones, Part 1
“I thought a couple of times that the band was going to quit. I used to think that after every tour.” (in an interview with “NME”)
8.On the End of the Stones, Part 2
“I love playing the drums and I love playing with Mick and Keith and Ronnie, the rest: I don’t know. I wouldn’t mind if the Rolling Stones say that’s it – enough.”
9. About stage fright
“I get very nervous. If you weren’t, you would take it for granted. And I don’t take the Rolling Stones for granted, or anything they do. I wish I could relax and enjoy the show more instead of thinking, ‘Where are we now?’ Keith always gives the impression that he’s happy with the beat he plays in a song. He never thinks about the next one. And those two hours fly by. You’re like, ‘God, that was Chicago,’ and I was just wondering where the end of a song was.” (interviewed with ROLLING STONE)
10. About stones and sneakers
“I’ve always felt out of place with the Stones… the way I look. I put on shoes and they have sneakers. I hate sneakers, even if they’re fashionable.”.