Remembering The Time Charlie Watts Once Punched Mick Jagger Right In The Chops
"Don't ever call me your drummer again," Watts reportedly said. "You're my f**king singer!"
Charlie Watts, the iconic drummer of blues/pop powerhouse The Rolling Stones, died in the early hours of this morning. He was 80 years old.
Watts first joined the band that made his name in 1963. He was a dynamite jazz drummer, capable of harnessing the power of the blues and making it more streamlined; more intense. His work was never show-offy or in-your-face, but instead had a resolute stillness to it. Anywhere you dip your toes into The Rolling Stones discography, you will find a stand-out moment from Watts, proof that he was one of the most dependable time-keepers in pop.
— The Rolling Stones (@RollingStones) August 24, 2021
Indeed, Watts was acclaimed throughout his time with the band. In 2006, the man was elected into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame, while beloved music critic Robert Christgau called him “rock’s greatest drummer.”
Watts was also an oasis of calm in the centre of a famously raucous band. For the most part. Then there was that time he punched the band’s lead singer Mick Jagger right in the face.
The anecdote is one of many being shared to honour the musician in the hours since he passed. As the story goes, it was the mid-80s, and a very drunk Jagger had called up to Watts’ hotel room, bellowing the words, “Where’s my drummer?”
That’s when Watts rose from his slumber, dressed immaculately, walked downstairs and punched Jagger right in the chops.
“Don’t ever call me your drummer again,” Watts reportedly said. “You’re my fucking singer!”
RIP to the coolest Rolling Stone. https://t.co/b0PApm6VRv pic.twitter.com/LbA7ZXc8yU
— Ⓜ️ichael Darling (presented in VistaVision) (@FutureHasbeen) August 24, 2021
True legendary stuff.
And that’s not all, either. When Rolling Stone magazine slammed the band’s album, Their Satanic Majesties Request, while taking time out of the ire to praise Watts, the drummer himself wrote back to the magazine.
Just look at this reply:
In 1967, Rolling Stone critic Jon Landau slammed the Rolling Stones' new album, 'Their Satanic Majesties Request', but praised Charlie Watts' drumming. This letter soon appeared in the recently launched magazine. pic.twitter.com/Vb5eC64Vdi
— Letters of Note (@LettersOfNote) August 24, 2021
How’s that for true class?