In 2018, Charlie Watts made an appearance on Drum Channel’s The Chad Smith Show. To celebrate Watt’s imprint and impact on drumming, we are currently offering the complete interview for free at drumchannel.com, but here are a few tidbits from the conversation, as well as a transcription of “Beast of Burden” to play and honor Watts in your own way. Chad Smith: What brought you to drumming? Charlie Watts: I suppose Gerry Mulligan and Chico Hamilton. But the first record I really loved—apart from Billy Eckstine which was my father’s era—was Earl Bostic’s “Flamingo.” It was R&B. I suppose you call it that. Then, I heard Gerry Mulligan’s “Walking Shoes,” and I wanted to play the drums. When I was about 14, I heard Charlie Parker, and I just loved it. I suppose it’s like when you hear Jimi Hendrix for the first time, and think, “What the hell is […]

October 2021 Issue