Outandabout-Magazine-Oct-issue-191

JOHN CURTIS
OCTOBER 2021 | 15
completely reliable whilst, at the same
time, undemonstrative. With the
equally reliable and placid
bassist Bill Wyman at his
side Charlie was half
of the Stones´ rhythm
section that was
actually the bedrock
on which the band´s
eternal flamboyance
was based. Their
rock steady musical
talent allowed Mick
and Keith to kick out
the jams and provide
the fireworks from the
front of the stage.
When famously asked about
his life as a Rolling Stone Charlie replied
that he and Bill had spent about 20 years
EACH sitting around in recording studios
waiting for their colleagues to show up for
work! Charlie did have a spell under the
influence of heroin but it was a habit he
kicked unlike his fondness for alcohol. He
had it seems a solid marriage which started
as early as 1964 with his wife, Shirley,
surviving him today. They had one child, a
daughter born in 1968 (with the great name
of Serafina!) who, in turn, gave them one
granddaughter. Charlie, it seems, was never
interested in dabbling with groupies or the
trappings of a rock star´s life that would
put his marriage in peril. Charlie was, of
course, a VERY rich man and indulged
in some delightful hobbies. He loved to
collect antique furniture and artefacts and
in mature years enjoyed living on a farm in
Devon where he and Shirley bred Arabian
horses. He was also a competent artist who
made a habit of sketching the hundreds of
hotel rooms in which he lodged. Unlike his
colleagues in the Stones Charlie was a very
snappy dresser and always turned out for
public appearances immaculately dressed
suited and booted and wearing a collar and
tie. He had a shave and donned full
regalia on the famous night on
which he punched Mick Jagger
to the floor after hearing the
infamous “Where is my
drummer” rant. Of all the
Charlie Watts stories that
have emerged after he left
us this one seems to be the
favourite!
The years had taken their
inevitable toll and in 2004
Charlie was diagnosed with
throat cancer despite giving up
smoking twenty years earlier and
moderating his drinking. A year later
he was involved in a serious car accident
in the South Of France but he recovered and
drummed on. Shortly before he died Charlie
had announced he would be resting rather
than touring in the autumn as a result of a
“previous procedure” and then , on the 24th
August, came the news that he had gone.
RIP Charlie.
Starting on Saturday 23rd October
and available for the next 7 days
JC´s Podcast will take us back to
1964 and feature the very first , rough
and raw, eponymous LP recorded at
Decca by The Rolling Stones. Feel
free to contact me via Pure Gold FM
or by Email to “jcpodcast10@gmail.
com.” I look forward to the pleasure
of your company for another
All Time Great in next month´s
magazine until when I strongly urge
you to KEEP ROCKING and aim to
make it to, at least, 80.
by John Curtis