Watts - best drummer in rock?

I've been listening to the audio book of Keith Richards' new book, Life, which I highly recommend. It gives obsessive rock fans with an interest in musicology a real glimpse into the world of the Stones. It makes you rethink wanting to become really famous for making music...as far as the drugs, and the sharing of women are concerned.

The member I think that really stayed above the fray was Charlie Watts; I'd say one of the most solid, dead on, yet playful drummers of the 70's big rock generation. Keith talks about how after they'd been playing together for awhile, they used to intentionally try and fuck each other up by playing a little behind the beat, and how Charlie's really great about putting the high hat before the snare beats, which gives this kinda stuttered, laid back cool effect.



Charlie recording in the basement for Exile.

On top of his playing Charlie seemed to be above the drugs, and kept a really good outlook on how lucky he was...spoiled even, to be paid so much money to do what he loved.

If you aren't that familiar with Charlie's style, I'd HIGHLY recommend checking out Exile On Main St. - the Stone's Epic in my opinion, recorded in the dungeon-like basement of the HUGE Villa Nellcote in southern France (served as the headquarters of the local Gestapo during the Nazi occupation of France in the early 1940s!?!). Sticky Fingers is also pretty good, but I think it was really heading towards Exile, where that classic sound bloomed.