Another great gone, this time its Charlie Watts

Charlie was inspired by the old time jazz drummers. With the stones he was called "a human metronome."

https://youtu.be/WAU2SSZPiqs

Roxy54.  Are you a professional drummer?

Charlie Watts...I would consider myself a moderate Stones fan; they've always been there and I have many of their albums, but I wouldn't put them up there with my musical heroes. Anyway, I am sad to hear about Charlie because he was the Stones' Rock of Gibralter. He's been there forever. He was a constant. I've always liked him & respected his talent. What is starting to get scary, and sad in another way, is that the legends who are passing on now are not our parents' or older siblings' heroes, but ours. Every musician I love is well over 70. I know 80 is the new 60 but still. It's hard.

Like Charlie, once I heard a Gretsch drumset, that was it for me! Levon Helm also played Gretsch, including in The Last Waltz. A beautiful black diamond pearl-finished set. A have a set in bdp, and one in Brazilian walnut. Both with 24" bass drums. Hence "bdp24" ;-) . 

Pat Metheny said in his recent (fantastic interview btw) with Rick Beato, something to the effect that, a drummer is the most important person in a band. RIP Charlie.