The musician who fills the role left by the late Charlie Watts in the Stones has highlighted the different tastes of both icons and how this influenced their sound
Beatles OR Rolling Stones? The classic question among rock fans leads to comparisons of different origins. However, among many points discussed, little is said about the talent of the drummers: Ringo Starr AND Charlie Wattsrespectively.
Steve Giordanowho fills the spot left vacant by the late Watts in the Stones, surprised to bring this debate to the table in an interview with Rolling Stone USA (go Igor Miranda’s website). The drummer highlighted the differences between the two musicians, highlighting, for example, Charlie’s passion for types of music that Ringo seemed to lack.
Initially, when asked what made Charlie so unique as a drummer, Steve responded:
“Charlie loved jazz and blues. If your favorite drummer is Chico Hamilton and you love Fred below, Max Roach, Earl Palmer, Shelley Manne, Mel Lewis, Elvin Jones, Dad Jo Jones, Philly Joe Jones, Chick Webb, AlJackson AND Roger Hawkinsyou have an education and a love for good jazz drumming, R&B drumming, Chicago blues drumming, especially Fred below, Earl Phillips. Charlie was a fan of that playing and brought that style to the band.”
In Jordan’s view, presenting a jazz/blues approach to groove was something that “no other British Invasion band did”, apart from the Rolling Stones. In his opinion, the Beatles relied on different influences.
“Of course, Ringo brought a lot of swing and that’s why I love the way he plays. All these songs have swing. But the Beatles didn’t play a lot of blues, it was more R&B. When they did covers, they weren’t. They weren’t hardcore blues covers like the Stones, they were more R&B and pop hits. That’s why they played it. [artistas da gravadora] Motown, Little Richard, Chuck Berry. When they played “Roll on Beethoven”it was a very pop version, unlike when the Stones played ‘Around and around’which sounded a little more hardcore.”
Ringo Starr gives his opinion on Charlie Watts
There have been rare occasions when Ringo Starr talked about Charlie Watts – and vice versa. Even in the 70s the Beatles drummer shared (via Distant) a reflection on his Rolling Stones bandmate when he initially commented on how he sought enormous discretion, especially in a role that was already marked by lack of attention.
“In the beginning, because of the songwriters who are a very powerful force in the Beatles – and John [Lennon] AND Paul [McCartney] I also like great singers: I would just play the drums and shake my head to avoid being noticed. Meanwhile, you look at Charlie Watts in the Stones and there’s nothing really said. He’s an incredible drummer, but drummers tend not to understand how to write songs. The drummer is the driving force, but when you have songwriters of that caliber you prefer to talk about the songs and their authors.”
Ultimately, Starr established his final reasoning regarding Watts. He praised his colleague’s ability to deliver exactly what the music needs, without fuss.
“He’s the only drummer who leaves [elementos desnecessários] from the outside [da música] more than me.”
+++ READ MORE: When Keith Richards summed up the difference between the Beatles and the Rolling Stones to Paul McCartney
+++ READ MORE: The history of collaborations between the Beatles and the Rolling Stones
+++ READ MORE: Ringo Starr shares how he learned to play the drums without practicing
+++ to follow Rolling Stone Brasil @rollingstonebrasil on Instagram
+++ to follow the journalist Igor Miranda @igormirandasite on Instagram
Source: Terra
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
