Charlie Watts has left us, aged 80

Cool fun facts. When that tiresome sketch “More Cowbell” aired on SNL with Will Ferrell ruining ‘Don’t Fear The Reaper,’ I remembered that the other big hit song in the ‘70s with cowbell featured that I knew about at least was ‘Honkey Tonk Women.’ Didn’t remember it was Jimmy Miller, though I’ve read that name quite a few times. People told me that the cowbell with that beat’s impossible to play. Thought that impressive. This clears up that mystery. Although Will Farrell wrote that “More Cowbell” sketch, it seems like Jimmy Fallon style, where one detail is overblown, like what he did to The Beach Boys song ‘Fun, Fun, Fun.’ Always thought that ‘It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll (But I Like It)’ didn’t sound like Charlie’s playing. Overall, that song doesn’t sound like The Rolling Stones playing exactly and it turns out it wasn’t on the “basic tracks.” Didn’t remember Kenney Jones nor Willie Weeks. All I remember was David Bowie was on backing vocals. Not many non-Watts tracks though. 👍

@Alec When that tiresome sketch “More Cowbell” aired on SNL with Will Ferrell ruining ‘Don’t Fear The Reaper,’...

For me, Will Ferrell is the definition of tiresome😉

@merikan1 well, he has made me laugh plenty of times, but I also agree with you. “More Cowbell” was one of those that was a miss for me and yet I also knew that it was genius the way it would make people feel clever by repeating the catchphrase, 😬💥 so we gotta hand it to him! 😅

@Alec Cool visuals on those lyric videos! Hmm...I'll have to check out those more recent albums. Remember skimming through Dirty Work and not being impressed. I'm still appreciating New Vibrato Wonderland, and Modern Moods for Mighty Atoms. Peace!

@sotelosphere don’t know the recent albums. Seems like Tourist knows that area, though. Never heard Work. Lonesome is kinda like the early ‘60s, working the trad angles.

@Orphan of Babylon good point. They’re similar.

@Tourist I’m sure they won’t, but I think now that Charlie’s left they should pack it in. Just my opinion.

@Alec Mick & Keith will never pack it in......I don't think they can!

@paul.smith good point.

@wadcorp That image on Charlie’s shirt is the first image I think of whenever I think of or hear anything from Exile. It’s the image that first blew my mind as a little kid when I first held the record cover. I couldn’t believe what I was looking at.

@Coach Matt good point. He made the songs breathe.

Good point. He's been sharing that same slightly bemused smirk with us since 1962.

Interesting fact from above article . . .

He emblazoned the bass drum head of his early kit with the name “Chico,” after saxophonist Gerry Mulligan’s drummer Chico Hamilton. In his teens, he worked in various regional jazz groups.