If there was one quote to remember about Charlie Watts, after all theses years of drumming with the Rolling Stones, Well dressed with a Jazz feeling :
"It should swing and bounce"
So here is my art print to celebrate this fantastic dandy drummer : A snare drum, holding it's drum sticks in a traditionnal way (between middle and ring finger) a suit and a tie !
1.Charlie Watts young
Years ago, when London was still burning after WW2 bombing, was born a litlle baby called Charles Watts. He grew up in the London 50's and made his first music approach thanks to his neighboor and jazz addict Dave Green.
Charlie tries first the banjo as musical instrument but didn't like it. He took the neck off and put it on a stand like a snare drum and played on it with a pair of brushes. A Jazz drummer was born !
2.Charlie Watts the drummer
A charlie call another Charlie : Charlie Parker, his favorite musician and main influence. Tony williams, parker's drummer is the reference in a matter of drumming. Watts focuses on discipline and effortlessness.
As he said, it should swing and bounce, even if it's a jazz band or a rock'n rolling stones band !
3.Charlie watts and his Wife
The two met before the band became famous, Shirley Ann was charlie's groupie and became his wife. They remains together since then.
Shirley Ann Shepherd is an Arabian Horse Breeder, she loves it and make her home a shelter for English greyhounds as well !
Watts is not really a rock star and prefers to stay home instead of touring away !
4.Charlie Watts Drum kit
The smallest drum kit available is very simple and was originaly designed to be transportable in a car between two gigs in the night. And this is what the Jazz drummer did design : small, compact because "Less is more".
In the purest Jazz tradition, Charlies Watts is equipped with a small Jazz Drum Kit, with a long time collaboration with Gretsch company.
Another fun fact is that charlie is not allowed to play or own a Drum kit at home. His wife don't like the sound and the horses neither. This explains why Charlie did Air Drumming during TV show form home during 2020 lockdown.
5.Charlie watts and the rolling Stones
1964, charlie joins the Rock'n roll Band and give it's Jazz touch to it. He is credited by Mick as the "Wembley Whammer", loves to keep the rythm section with Bill wyman and is pleased to make the guitarist swing and bounce on stage.
While he and his bandmates hit the road, in the sex, drug and rock'n roll way of life, Charlie read "Horse magazine" book in his hotel room. Horse, Tea and Jazz music.
6.Charlie watts famous drumming licks
Drumming with discipline and effortlessness, this is Charlie's motto
Embracing simplicity in drumming with the "Less is more" he brought an incredible rythm to the Stones songs such as "gimme shelter", "satisfaction", "paint it black", "Honky Tonk Women" and "Get Off of My Cloud".
7.Other things you didn't know about charlie watts
There are plenty other things you may not know about charlie watts ! His first job as Typo Designer in an advertisement Agency, the times when he punched Mick in the face.... all of theses are in this art print drawing of Charlie Watts and also on the making of Video of the drawing here :
