Charlie Watts, Stones Drummer dies at 80

[Lester The Nightfly]

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles ... -at-age-80

I had read he was ailing a bit and that he wasn't going to go on tour with the band this year. Too bad.
Somehow Keith Richards still defies the odds of lifestyle vs. longevity equation...

[craig11152]

Surprising to me any of those rockers hit 80.

[Honeyman]

For all of his low-key skill behind the kit, Watts seemed well aware that he was an irreplaceable element of the Stones’ sound. As one famous story from the band’s heyday goes, Jagger once phoned Watts’ hotel room in the midst of an all-night party, asking, “Where’s my drummer?” Watts reportedly got up, shaved, dressed in a suit, put on a tie and freshly shined shoes, descended the stairs, and punched Jagger in the face, saying, “Don’t ever call me your drummer again. You’re my fucking singer!”

[matt1]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Watts

[Lester The Nightfly]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Watts

I like that the bulk of the Wiki outlined his background in Jazz and R&B. In my mind that set him apart from some of his contemporaries like Ringo, Ginger Baker, Keith Moon and John Bonham. They are all fine percussionists, but there's a difference between a rock n' roll drummer and someone who can carry something like "Little Red Rooster". He was the right man for the job.

[moldyoldie]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Watts

I like that the bulk of the Wiki outlined his background in Jazz and R&B. In my mind that set him apart from some of his contemporaries like Ringo, Ginger Baker, Keith Moon and John Bonham. They are all fine percussionists, but there's a difference between a rock n' roll drummer and someone who can carry something like "Little Red Rooster". He was the right man for the job.

I agree that Watts kept the Stones sound together. Meanwhile, Keith Richards will probably outlast us all.
I do believe Ginger Baker also had an extensive background as a jazz drummer.