Charlie Watts

Charlie Watts, Gretsch Legends

 

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Charlie Watts was the legendary drummer for “The world’s greatest rock n’ roll band,” The Rolling Stones. Inspired by American jazz, the West London-born Watts learned to keep time on a drumhead from a disassembled banjo in the early 1950s before graduating to a full set. He trained as a graphic designer and then honed his chops playing on the London rhythm and blues club circuit, where he met Mick Jagger, Brian Jones and Keith Richards. In 1963, he joined their group where he remained for nearly 60 years.

 

As the Rolling Stones became a household name across the globe, Charlie inspired millions of musicians along the way with his straightforward, rocksteady backbeat. Like the bebop jazz drummers he revered, Charlie played Gretsch Drums throughout his entire career. He also maintained jazz side projects like The Charlie Watts Orchestra and The Charlie Watts Tentet and Quintet, while earning session credits during his career with a variety of notable artists including Leon Russell, Pete Townshend, and more.

 

‌Charlie was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with The Rolling Stones in 1989, the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2004, and won three GRAMMY awards with the band. Additionally, he was ranked #12 on Rolling Stone Magazine’s “100 Greatest Drummers of All-Time” in 2012 and was voted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 2006.

 

His contributions to music will continue to live on.