Music is always playing in my head, and it’s not unusual for it to be Rolling Stones music.

I’ve been thinking about the Stones a lot lately, mostly because of Charlie Watts, the group’s always steady, reliable drummer, who recently passed away at the age of 80. I guess I always thought the old guys would live forever, and now that one of the fantastic four has died, it’s hit me hard. Like one of Charlie’s rimshots! Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Ronnie Wood are all in their mid-to-late 70’s, right behind Watts, who was the most senior member of the group, but not by much!

Charlie was always a little different from the others. He got married in 1964, just as The Stones were hitting the big time, along with The Beatles, Dave Clark Five, The Kinks, Animals, and all the others who were part of The British Invasion. He stayed married to Shirley til the very end. Such a long union is almost unheard of in rock circles! Charlie was always a jazz guy, who adjusted his style to play blues and rock. He and Ringo Starr, in my opinion, have always been terribly underrated as drummers, because they’ve never gone in for solos, or anything, really, to call attention to themselves. Nothing fancy, just playing it to the beat, providing rock solid support for the band. Here’s a song that really jumps out for me to demonstrate the way Charlie went about doing his job:

I once read a very entertaining book called “Old Gods, Almost Dead,” and that was, at least 10 or 12 years ago! Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, and Charlie have looked like dinosaurs for a long time. Keith is going to outlive all of us, and when we’ve departed this world along with those prehistoric creatures, only Keith and cockroaches will remain.

The Stones were real fans of American blues music from the very beginning. They idolized the talented black artists on this side of the Atlantic, and started out by playing their songs. Of course, the Stones put their own spin on them. Here’s an example. It’s an old Howlin’ Wolf song:

The first time I remember hearing The Rolling Stones was late in 1964, when “It’s All Over Now” came on the radio. From the first time I heard this Bobby Womack song performed Stones’ style, I was hooked. It wasn’t a very big hit, but it’s the one that reeled me in completely.

The band didn’t really explode until Jagger and Richards started writing a lot of their own material. Keith Richards dreamed of a vivid guitar riff one night (after he had passed out) but he woke up, picked up the guitar by his bed, and quickly played those guitar licks and recorded them so he wouldn’t forget…then rolled over and went back to sleep. That became the song that crashed its way into the casual music lover’s consciousness. Here’s “Satisfaction.”

“Satisfaction” was a monster hit, and there were numerous memorable tunes to come, but it quickly became their signature song. Almost 60 years later, whenever somebody starts debating the greatest rock and roll songs of all time, this song is always found near the top of the list.

A lot of fans tried to compare The Rolling Stones to The Beatles, but to me they were like apples and oranges. At least in the beginning they were sort of like the anti-Beatles. Although their “mop-top” haircuts were shocking to some, The Fab Four came across as clean-cut and well-dressed, while The Stones were scruffy and threatening. Living life dangerously, without regard to public opinion. I realize it was all part of the act, of course. After one of the founders of the group, multi-instrumentalist Brian Jones was found dead in a swimming pool, to me, Keith Richards became the heart and soul of the band, and in my mind, it’s that way today. Even when Mick Jagger, the front man was grabbing all the headlines, Keith was and is always there, lurking in the background, rebellious and wild. Several years ago, I read Keith’s autobiography, entitled “Life.” Just reading about the guy was extremely entertaining, and I couldn’t put the book down until I finished it! To me, it didn’t matter that the book was over 500 pages long! After leading the kind of lifestyle he’s lived, some have joked that Keith actually passed away years ago, and they just prop him up on stage whenever it’s time for a concert! The Stones rock this one every show without fail:

I hope you cranked up the volume. Here’s another good one that needs to be listened to loud! Check out Charlie Watts’ performance on drums in this one. It’s “Sympathy for the Devil.”

There’s one Rolling Stones song that never fails to get me going. If I’m listening to it at home, in the car, and even when I hear Keith play those first few notes on guitar during a Carolina football game at Kenan Stadium, this number gets me going every time. It’s an instant shot of adrenalin. Watch this video of the Stones in concert performing one of the greatest songs In rock and roll history:

I wanted to play this song for you because (1) it may be my favorite Stones song, and (2) It features the most riveting, sexiest, and awesome background singer I’ve ever heard. Her name is Lisa Fischer, and she’s amazing! This song just wouldn’t be the same without her. Her swagger just makes Mick’s “fade away” in comparison. Merrie Clayton sang the background part in the original studio version of this Rolling Stones classic.

I want to include this one, since it features an iconic start provided by Mr. Charlie Watts. Just take a listen to The Stones’ studio version of “Honky Tonk Women.” It wouldn’t be the same without the steadying influence of Charlie!

Over the years, there have been many other contributors to the iconic music of The Rolling Stones. The aforementioned Brian Jones, who eliminated himself by becoming so addicted to drugs the band couldn’t count on him. As I mentioned before, he was found drowned in a pool He was one of the founding members of the group, though, and while he was clearheaded, he could contribute some really innovative stuff. There was Bill Wyman, the original bass player, who left the group years ago, and was replaced by Darryl Jones, who has been touring and recording with the band since the moid-90’s. Mick Taylor, guitarist, who has some mad skills, was with the Stones from 1969 to 1974. The late saxophonist Bobby Keys played and toured with the group for about 45 years. And now that Charlie Watts has passed away, The Stones find themselves with a tremendous hole to fill. After all, Charlie’s the only drummer they’ve ever had! Not to worry, the announcement has already been made that Steve Jordan will be Charlie’s replacement for the upcoming tour. He was already set to go when word came out that Charlie was not up for it. And don’t worry…Steve Jordan has some excellent musical chops. He’s also had a long relationship with Keith Richards, playing with the X-Pensive Winos during Keith’s solo tour back in the late 80’s. He’s had a great deal of success over the years as a musician, songwriter, record producer, and even a musical director. So I’m not worried about how The Rolling Stones will sound going forward. He’s not Charlie and won’t try to be, but I’m confident Jordan will be great!

On a personal note, we are going to see the group in Charlotte during their next tour. I’m really excited because as much as I’ve played them and heard them for 57 years, I’ve never seen a Rolling Stones concert in person. It should be a great experience. Sorry I never got chance to see Charlie Watts, but I guess it just wasn’t meant to be.

Well, that’s “The Music In My Head” for now. Until next time…

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