10 Greatest Classic Rock Drummers Of All Time
9. Charlie Watts
Back in the Rolling Stones’ early days, they expended a huge amount of energy to secure the services of drummer Charlie Watts. A move that in hindsight has proved to be an absolute master stroke.
Watts’ jazz drumming style perfectly blends with the Stones' Blues-inspired Rock sound to add a new layer to their music. Watts’ drumming is exceptionally smooth throughout the Stones back catalogue and adds so much texture to their sound.
He is a drummer who enjoys experimenting and varying with different sounds to get the most out of the percussion on any song. Sympathy for the Devil is a great example of a song immeasurably improved by Watts’ drumming, as a steady and varied percussion drives the song at all times.
Watts is an exceptionally gifted drummer, a master of many styles, and such an integral part of the Stones' massive and terrifyingly long lasting success. The Rolling Stones would not be where they are now without the gifts of Charlie Watts.