Another great gone, this time its Charlie Watts

Richards made the comment in his book. " Watts is the essence of it all..."
 I liken his importance to the band to Pick Withers of Dire Straits. After he left that band was never the same. Like Watts , Withers had a distinctive style , subtle precision.  Jim Keltner in that class as well.
This my favorite Watts vidhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3FUA0Hj7fI
Good cover of his contribution in NYThttps://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/24/arts/music/charlie-watts-rolling-stones.html?searchResultPosition...

Smirk on, Charlie, smirk on!

RIP

Re Roxy54’s comment:

I think Charlie Watts was a fine R&R drummer and probably the perfect drummer for The Rolling Stones. Solid time keeper with just enough looseness to give the band their distinctive rhythmic vibe. As has been pointed out a musician’s important strengths are not defined by speed and technical virtuosity, but by the ability to contribute to the whole of the ensemble in that ensemble’s style. He did that very well.

Having said all that, while much is sometimes made of Watts having been a Jazz drummer, a good Jazz drummer he was not. He may have been inspired or influenced by Jazz drummers, but he was not at home in that genre nearly to the degree that he was in R&R. I heard his touring Jazz tentet in NYC on two occasions several years ago featuring some really good Jazz players including the great Peter King on saxophone and it was clear that Watts was the weak link in the ensemble. In that context, rather monotonous playing without the required split second reaction to what the soloists were doing. Hard to do it all.

RIP

frogman,
Agree with your assessment. I had heard the jazz thing he did, and it wasn't very good. I really didn't mean to be a hair-splitting critic of the guy. He was a good fit for the Stones, personality wise and of course the way he played. I think his simplicity was brilliant on songs like Brown Sugar and Paint it Black, two that come to mind. He did his own thing, and it is sad to see him gone.

Some drummers have said. What makes you a great drummer is what you dont play.