A team player who kept the band together
EVERY time Charlie Watts walked on to the stage, often immaculately turned out in a tailored suit, he always had the aura of a man who could take it or leave it.
Even when the crowd roared their approval, Charlie would just smile and maybe offer a nod here and there, or a wave if you were lucky.
It was this down-to-earth and non-flashy nature that his bandmates, as well as the fans of his music, adored.
Keith Richards hit the nail on the head when he said: “He’s modest and shy and the idea of stardom horrifies him.”
This anti-showbiz stance could have potentially jarred with his more flamboyant colleagues.
But watch any Stones show live and you are immediately struck by the affection they held for the man tucked away on his stool at the back.
I’ve been lucky enough to watch the band around the world, joining them on their last South American tour, as well as huge gigs in Germany, Ireland and across the United Kingdom.
Keef would often saunter over and have a laugh in his ear.
Mick – a huge fan of Charlie’s virtuoso drumming skills – would catch his eye and have a joke.
Charlie was very much the glue that stuck them all together.
A glue that was very much needed after half a century on the road together.
Over the years there have always been whispers and rumours that Charlie was ready to call time on touring.
Who could blame him? He was in his twilight years and his legacy was set in stone.
He memorably said he didn’t like playing outside shows as the wind made it hard to hit the cymbals and he hilariously called the Glastonbury Festival “old hat”.
But year after year and tour after tour, there he was, lined up alongside his bandmates ready to give it another go.
Just as he would have done this year had he not fallen ill.
Elton John called Charlie the ultimate drummer.
But he was the ultimate team player too.