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Charlie’s Good Tonight: The Life, the Times, and the Rolling Stones: The Authorized Biography of Charlie Watts – The Story of Rock's Most Celebrated Drummer
The fully authorized and official biography of legendary Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts, one of the world’s most revered and celebrated musicians of the last half century.
Forewords by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.
Charlie Watts was one of the most decorated musicians in the world, having joined the Rolling Stones, a few months after their formation, early in 1963.
A student of jazz drumming, he was headhunted by the band after bumping into them regularly in London’s rhythm and blues clubs. Once installed at the drum seat, he didn’t miss a gig, album or tour in his 60 years in the band. He was there throughout the swinging sixties, the early shot at superstardom and the Stones' world conquest; and throughout the debauchery of the 1970s, typified by 1972's Exile on Main St., considered one of the great albums of the century. By the 1980s, Charlie was battling his own demons, but emerged unscathed to enhance his unparalleled reputation even further over the ensuing decades.
Watts went through band bust-ups, bereavements and changes in personnel, managers, guitarists and rhythm sections, but remained the rock at the heart of the Rolling Stones for nearly 60 years—the thoughtful, intellectual but no less compelling counterpoint to the raucousness of his bandmates Keith Richards, Mick Jagger and Ronnie Wood. And this is his story.
Forewords by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.
Charlie Watts was one of the most decorated musicians in the world, having joined the Rolling Stones, a few months after their formation, early in 1963.
A student of jazz drumming, he was headhunted by the band after bumping into them regularly in London’s rhythm and blues clubs. Once installed at the drum seat, he didn’t miss a gig, album or tour in his 60 years in the band. He was there throughout the swinging sixties, the early shot at superstardom and the Stones' world conquest; and throughout the debauchery of the 1970s, typified by 1972's Exile on Main St., considered one of the great albums of the century. By the 1980s, Charlie was battling his own demons, but emerged unscathed to enhance his unparalleled reputation even further over the ensuing decades.
Watts went through band bust-ups, bereavements and changes in personnel, managers, guitarists and rhythm sections, but remained the rock at the heart of the Rolling Stones for nearly 60 years—the thoughtful, intellectual but no less compelling counterpoint to the raucousness of his bandmates Keith Richards, Mick Jagger and Ronnie Wood. And this is his story.
366 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 11, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
December 21, 2022
It was perhaps fitting, that during a turbulent time, I would turn to a book about a man who kept such a steady beat through life. Charlie Watts has always been one of my favourite drummers. Some of my fondest music memories have involved playing Stones covers in bands. Like many others, I felt his loss during 2021. Despite being familiar with his drumming, I realised I hardly knew anything about the man himself. So, I jumped at the chance to read this.
“Charlie was the proof that not all rock stars are created equal, and that cliches are there to be avoided.”
Charlie was a man of few words and someone who shunned the spotlight. As a result, this is not your typical rock biography. It could have perhaps done with a little more conflict to make it interesting. Charlie’s late descent into drugs and addiction was glossed over, while entire chapters were dedicated to how he liked to wear suits.
Charlie’s Good Tonight takes a chronological look at his life and career, with other chapters weaved in that focus on particular elements – like his fashion tastes, or penchant for giving expensive gifts. I found these chapters broke the rhythm of the book, but came together to paint what felt like an accurate picture of the man. As Keith Richards agreed, Charlie was a bit of an enigma - which no doubt made the book challenging to write.
I enjoyed talk of Charlie’s passion for drumming and his technique and style, while I found insights from bandmates to be quite touching. The origins of his drumming (pulling apart a banjo) and the story of him joining the Stones were other highlights – he thought the gig would only last a week or two!
“He openly admitted that the Rolling Stones’ music was not really his cup of tea, and he hardly ever listened back to any of it, unless he had to approve a reissue or some such.”
Unfortunately, I found too much emphasis on materialism and possessions – whether it be acquiring large properties, animals, or collecting other expensive items – even Mick Jagger said they deserved to be in a museum of their own.
“The cars that he never learned to drive, nor needed to, were another obsession. He would put on one of his best suits just to sit in these beautiful vintage vehicles and bask in their craftsmanship.”
It was comforting to know that someone as skilled as Charlie Watts could be insecure about his skills. I also found his romance with Shirley to be a beautiful theme throughout and the sweetest thing in rock n roll. I couldn't help but relate to some of Charlie's views on life.
“If I’m honest, I enjoy the company of dogs more than that of humans. Not that I loathe my species, but I’m of no good to them. They would find me a miserable little man after a while.”
While written with care, passion and sensitivity, it didn't always hold my attention - unlike the music of the Rolling Stones, which would never have been the same without Charlie's trademark drumming.
“Charlie Watts has indeed gone home at the end of the tour, but close your eyes and he’s up there creating his firework display behind that tiny kit, smiling that dazzling smile and thrilling us all, one beat at a time.”
“Charlie was the proof that not all rock stars are created equal, and that cliches are there to be avoided.”
Charlie was a man of few words and someone who shunned the spotlight. As a result, this is not your typical rock biography. It could have perhaps done with a little more conflict to make it interesting. Charlie’s late descent into drugs and addiction was glossed over, while entire chapters were dedicated to how he liked to wear suits.
Charlie’s Good Tonight takes a chronological look at his life and career, with other chapters weaved in that focus on particular elements – like his fashion tastes, or penchant for giving expensive gifts. I found these chapters broke the rhythm of the book, but came together to paint what felt like an accurate picture of the man. As Keith Richards agreed, Charlie was a bit of an enigma - which no doubt made the book challenging to write.
I enjoyed talk of Charlie’s passion for drumming and his technique and style, while I found insights from bandmates to be quite touching. The origins of his drumming (pulling apart a banjo) and the story of him joining the Stones were other highlights – he thought the gig would only last a week or two!
“He openly admitted that the Rolling Stones’ music was not really his cup of tea, and he hardly ever listened back to any of it, unless he had to approve a reissue or some such.”
Unfortunately, I found too much emphasis on materialism and possessions – whether it be acquiring large properties, animals, or collecting other expensive items – even Mick Jagger said they deserved to be in a museum of their own.
“The cars that he never learned to drive, nor needed to, were another obsession. He would put on one of his best suits just to sit in these beautiful vintage vehicles and bask in their craftsmanship.”
It was comforting to know that someone as skilled as Charlie Watts could be insecure about his skills. I also found his romance with Shirley to be a beautiful theme throughout and the sweetest thing in rock n roll. I couldn't help but relate to some of Charlie's views on life.
“If I’m honest, I enjoy the company of dogs more than that of humans. Not that I loathe my species, but I’m of no good to them. They would find me a miserable little man after a while.”
While written with care, passion and sensitivity, it didn't always hold my attention - unlike the music of the Rolling Stones, which would never have been the same without Charlie's trademark drumming.
“Charlie Watts has indeed gone home at the end of the tour, but close your eyes and he’s up there creating his firework display behind that tiny kit, smiling that dazzling smile and thrilling us all, one beat at a time.”
August 4, 2024
"He's a lovely guy, that Charlie. A perfect gentleman." -- drummer Kenney Jones of The Who, page 135
When (if?) you think of the Rolling Stones, it's usually 'The Glimmer Twins' - vocalist Mick Jagger and guitar-slinger Keith Richards, the so-called bad boys of the band - who will likely first come to mind. Operating at a much lower profile for an astounding 58 (!) years was that OTHER founding member, drummer Charlie Watts. As one half of the Stones' solid rhythm section - along with original bassist Bill Wyman - Watts kept a steady and assured beat for the group from its inception in 1962 until his death at age 80 in 2021. Author Sexton has crafted a loving tribute to the gentleman with his sturdy Charlie's Good Tonight - title courtesy of some stage patter from Mick Jagger, when he was exhorting a Madison Square Garden audience to show the drummer some love after tearing through Chuck Berry's 'Little Queenie' in a 1969 concert - a well-researched biography on the percussionist who never really fancied himself as a rock and roll musician, but merely a 'jazz drummer' at heart. Unlike other bios featuring lecherous or misbehaving stars, Watts was a devoted family man (his marriage lasted 57 years) and was well-regarded as a very doting father and grandfather. Although reserved by nature, Watts seems to have possessed a clever dry wit, and he is oft-mentioned in the text (by many friends and co-workers throughout the decades) as being a charitable and thoughtful fellow. So while it may not be a very juicy profile, it's a bit reassuring that nice guys existed in show biz.
When (if?) you think of the Rolling Stones, it's usually 'The Glimmer Twins' - vocalist Mick Jagger and guitar-slinger Keith Richards, the so-called bad boys of the band - who will likely first come to mind. Operating at a much lower profile for an astounding 58 (!) years was that OTHER founding member, drummer Charlie Watts. As one half of the Stones' solid rhythm section - along with original bassist Bill Wyman - Watts kept a steady and assured beat for the group from its inception in 1962 until his death at age 80 in 2021. Author Sexton has crafted a loving tribute to the gentleman with his sturdy Charlie's Good Tonight - title courtesy of some stage patter from Mick Jagger, when he was exhorting a Madison Square Garden audience to show the drummer some love after tearing through Chuck Berry's 'Little Queenie' in a 1969 concert - a well-researched biography on the percussionist who never really fancied himself as a rock and roll musician, but merely a 'jazz drummer' at heart. Unlike other bios featuring lecherous or misbehaving stars, Watts was a devoted family man (his marriage lasted 57 years) and was well-regarded as a very doting father and grandfather. Although reserved by nature, Watts seems to have possessed a clever dry wit, and he is oft-mentioned in the text (by many friends and co-workers throughout the decades) as being a charitable and thoughtful fellow. So while it may not be a very juicy profile, it's a bit reassuring that nice guys existed in show biz.
March 6, 2024
A very nice book about Charlie Watts his life and his time with the Rolling Stones. Pretty well done. It was a surprise for once to read about a Rock star and it wasn't all about sex, drugs, and outlandish behavior. Charlie what the cool, calm and collected Stone. He was so much more than just the drummer for the Stones. A huge lover of Jazz and probably one of the most generous celebrities I've ever read about.
November 5, 2022
This book is almost the perfect inverse of Sympathy for the Drummer, in which Mike Edison miraculously crammed an appreciation of Charlie Watts, a history of The Rolling Stones, and an overview of percussionists in all genres of vernacular music, all into a tidy 272 pages. What we have here is a leisurely look at the life of Charlie Watts, in EXCESSIVELY LARGE TYPE, padded out to make a full book; really, with some judicious editing, I could see this entire book functioning as the text to a Taschen style coffee table book of Charlie Watts photographs.
There are lots of gems that Sexton has uncovered: if anything could make me love Charlie move than I had before, it is the revelation that Charlie collected signed P.G. Wodehouse first editions; the way Sexton describes Watt’s life on his various farms, I can see Charlie as Lord Emsworth, albeit with Psmith’s dress sense.
There are lots of gems that Sexton has uncovered: if anything could make me love Charlie move than I had before, it is the revelation that Charlie collected signed P.G. Wodehouse first editions; the way Sexton describes Watt’s life on his various farms, I can see Charlie as Lord Emsworth, albeit with Psmith’s dress sense.
October 6, 2022
One of the best books (biographies) that I have read in a very long time
After reading about Charlie it made me sad that did not have him as a friend
The man was a brilliant technician and a consummate musician without him the jigsaw that was The Rolling Stones would not have existed as a superb band
I am sure it will be a book that will read again and again
After reading about Charlie it made me sad that did not have him as a friend
The man was a brilliant technician and a consummate musician without him the jigsaw that was The Rolling Stones would not have existed as a superb band
I am sure it will be a book that will read again and again
June 1, 2023
An earlier reviewer here on Goodreads stated that the type-font of this book was "excessively large", and speculated that this was done in order to pad the length of the book. I feel as though I should point out that this is entirely a matter of perspective. Although I have been known to describe myself as "half blind", I happily still see pretty well considering I have only one eye good enough to read with. I found the slightly larger than usual (it appears to be 14-point or thereabouts) font to be a nice break from the sort of books I usually read, many of which are academic books with considerably smaller type. The smaller size fonts are usually not a problem, however I recently read a biography of A.H. Nasution, for example, which was printed in 10-point type, possibly even 9-point. I'm sure I'd have had no issue with that 25 years ago, but at my current age it was a bit difficult at times. Likewise, the book I'll most likely be reading next (also an academic work, but on music rather than military history) has a smaller font than the present book; it is also in 10-point type. This has become much more common in recent years, and doesn't make things any easier for those of us whose vision is less than perfect.
That being said, the content of this book was as expected. In a review a few years ago of a posthumous book on another great musician (Prince), I described that book as essentially a particularly nice, large funeral card. This present book is sort of like that, but more along the lines of a tribute & remembrance volume. It is, after all, an "authorized biography", just as it says on the cover. It makes no sense to judge a book by applying standards that have no relation to the sort of book it is. I guarantee that, at some point, someone will attempt to write a more "serious" biography of the late Charlie Watts; in addition, there will doubtless be more than one book eventually written attempting an analysis of his particular approach to drumming, his musicianship generally, and how these worked within the particular musical settings in which he played throughout his career. I very much look forward to reading at least a few of those books at whatever point in the future they are published, not to mention a handful which have already found their way into print. This, however, is not that sort of book.
As a bass-player, I have always found it not only useful but necessary to pay close attention to drummers and drumming. Like many, if not most, of my fellow bass-players, I have over the years become something of a connoisseur of drummers, so to speak. Everyone, I am sure, has his or her particular favourites, and Charlie Watts is one of mine. One of the reasons for this is that, like him, I have always been one of those musicians who mostly listens to jazz, but mostly plays rock & roll. This may seem counterintuitive to some people, but that isn't particularly common, at least in my experience. It also is not particularly common for a rock & roll band to swing, especially during the last 40 years or so. The Rolling Stones were not only one of the few exceptions, but they were also absolutely unique in the way they swung. There have been many great rock & roll bands over the years, many of which were more-or-less heavily influenced by the Rolling Stones, but none of those bands really sounded like them, even when they performed cover versions of their songs. By the same token, when r & b bands like that of Ike & Tina Turner covered songs by the Rolling Stones, those songs also came out with a completely different feel. What I am trying to get at here is that what musicians (or listeners) experience as swing is usually very similar between bands who swing, but the Rolling Stones somehow invented a different way of swinging that no-one else, so far as I know, has ever mastered. If for no other reason, that alone would make them the greatest rock & roll band, and earn them a place among the greatest bands of any genre or style, by itself. The late Charlie Watts, for that reason, as the primary progenitor of a wholly new and different way of swinging, surely deserves a place among the greatest drummers in recorded history.
In addition to all that, he dressed really well, too!!!
That being said, the content of this book was as expected. In a review a few years ago of a posthumous book on another great musician (Prince), I described that book as essentially a particularly nice, large funeral card. This present book is sort of like that, but more along the lines of a tribute & remembrance volume. It is, after all, an "authorized biography", just as it says on the cover. It makes no sense to judge a book by applying standards that have no relation to the sort of book it is. I guarantee that, at some point, someone will attempt to write a more "serious" biography of the late Charlie Watts; in addition, there will doubtless be more than one book eventually written attempting an analysis of his particular approach to drumming, his musicianship generally, and how these worked within the particular musical settings in which he played throughout his career. I very much look forward to reading at least a few of those books at whatever point in the future they are published, not to mention a handful which have already found their way into print. This, however, is not that sort of book.
As a bass-player, I have always found it not only useful but necessary to pay close attention to drummers and drumming. Like many, if not most, of my fellow bass-players, I have over the years become something of a connoisseur of drummers, so to speak. Everyone, I am sure, has his or her particular favourites, and Charlie Watts is one of mine. One of the reasons for this is that, like him, I have always been one of those musicians who mostly listens to jazz, but mostly plays rock & roll. This may seem counterintuitive to some people, but that isn't particularly common, at least in my experience. It also is not particularly common for a rock & roll band to swing, especially during the last 40 years or so. The Rolling Stones were not only one of the few exceptions, but they were also absolutely unique in the way they swung. There have been many great rock & roll bands over the years, many of which were more-or-less heavily influenced by the Rolling Stones, but none of those bands really sounded like them, even when they performed cover versions of their songs. By the same token, when r & b bands like that of Ike & Tina Turner covered songs by the Rolling Stones, those songs also came out with a completely different feel. What I am trying to get at here is that what musicians (or listeners) experience as swing is usually very similar between bands who swing, but the Rolling Stones somehow invented a different way of swinging that no-one else, so far as I know, has ever mastered. If for no other reason, that alone would make them the greatest rock & roll band, and earn them a place among the greatest bands of any genre or style, by itself. The late Charlie Watts, for that reason, as the primary progenitor of a wholly new and different way of swinging, surely deserves a place among the greatest drummers in recorded history.
In addition to all that, he dressed really well, too!!!
January 13, 2023
Nice overview but don't expect to learn anything you might not already know from other books. Yes the story about Charlie punching Mick in the face for calling him "my drummer" is included.
October 11, 2023
Loved this. People really loved Charlie Watts and for good reason too such a lovely, caring, simple man who never fussed too much about being famous!
August 16, 2022
Charlie's Good Tonight by Paul Senton is an authorized biography being released on October 11, 2022. Harper Collins publishing provided an early galley in exchange for a review
It seems music-nerds are often either fans of the Rolling Stones or The Beatles; I tended to towards the latter. The Stones, however, was one of older brother's favorite bands (up there with the Who and the Clash). So, I was very familiar with their discography long before I started to develop my own music listening patterns. And I very much do enjoy many of their albums from the 60's through the early 80's.
Naturally, this biography was an instant interest for me. Right off the bat, I liked seeing the forewards by Mick and Keith. Hearing what Charlie's good friends and long-time bandmates had to say about him, in their own words, was the right way to kick this one off. I also like that in the introduction the author outlines how this book is a tribute to the steady, professional drummer who was there to do his job and not be the source of scandal. The rest of the book is broken up into nine chapters plus four interludes labeled as "backbeats", all together telling the life story of this musician's musician.
I learned a lot from this book - from Charlie's style to his preferred music genres to his approach to family. Paul Senton delivers it all in a friendly and moving manner. I would certainly recommend this one to my music nerd friends.
It seems music-nerds are often either fans of the Rolling Stones or The Beatles; I tended to towards the latter. The Stones, however, was one of older brother's favorite bands (up there with the Who and the Clash). So, I was very familiar with their discography long before I started to develop my own music listening patterns. And I very much do enjoy many of their albums from the 60's through the early 80's.
Naturally, this biography was an instant interest for me. Right off the bat, I liked seeing the forewards by Mick and Keith. Hearing what Charlie's good friends and long-time bandmates had to say about him, in their own words, was the right way to kick this one off. I also like that in the introduction the author outlines how this book is a tribute to the steady, professional drummer who was there to do his job and not be the source of scandal. The rest of the book is broken up into nine chapters plus four interludes labeled as "backbeats", all together telling the life story of this musician's musician.
I learned a lot from this book - from Charlie's style to his preferred music genres to his approach to family. Paul Senton delivers it all in a friendly and moving manner. I would certainly recommend this one to my music nerd friends.
October 19, 2022
By all accounts a lovely gent and a fine drummer, but he so wanted to be left alone that there's almost no story here ... it is very nice to meet Charlie and his family; there are a handful of revealing tidbits and some touching moments about his kindly spirit, generosity and modesty, yet the overwhelming theme of "please don't notice me" has the reader in the position of meeting someone who would prefer not to be met
December 25, 2022
What a great drummer and student of history. Really a jazz player at heart. Never a natural rock star--introverted and opposite from Jagger that way.
December 25, 2022
This was one of the best biographies I've ever read. What a wonderful man Charlie was. I would have loved to have had him as a friend. I learned so much.
October 3, 2023
I'm feeling a bit sad right now, partly because I just finished a book I enjoyed, and mostly because it ended with the passing of Charlie Watts. Paul Sexton was in the process of writing a biography of Charlie when he died, so that's why it came out so quickly. Charlie was a terrific drummer, at least everyone says so, I just loved the sound of the Stones without thinking why, but I think Charlie had a lot to do with that. Charlie was rather an enigma, he played in the greatest rock and roll band ever, and yet he didn't really like the music, jazz was his love. Mick Jagger once said "Charlie’s a jazz drummer; he’s only doing it for the money". Is that really true? Read the book to find out. Charlie was unanimously loved; I’ve never heard a bad word about him, certainly not your usual rock-star. He was a car collector without a driving license, a stud farm owner with 300 horses, but he never rode a horse in his life. His was a life full of surprises and contradictions, but somehow it all makes sense when you read about it. It’s a well-written and utterly fascinating book, I don’t even think you need to be a Rolling Stones fan to enjoy this, after all Charlie wasn’t! A final thing I liked about this book was that Bill Wyman gets a bit of redemption, Charlie thought he was a terrific bassist, a lovely bloke, and missed him when he left. So I will definitely be reading Stone Alone: The Story of a Rock 'n' Roll Band , sooner than later.
February 23, 2023
http://looneybooks79.blog/2023/02/23/...
2,5 ⭐️ (DNF for me)
2,5 ⭐️ (DNF for me)
February 16, 2023
A quick trawl through the music bookshelves reveals I’ve almost two dozen books on The Rolling Stones, so do I really need to read this one? Surely I would learn little that is new? Well the answers are yes, I really did need to read this, and as a chronicle of the life of the notoriously private Charlie Watts, I learned much that I hadn’t known. I was gratified to find that Charlie was as decent a human being and as wonderfully eccentric as we all suspected he was. Equally heartwarming was the outpouring of love, respect and admiration from his friends in the band, his family and pretty much anyone who knew him. Thoroughly enjoyable.
January 6, 2024
My dad was the biggest Rolling Stones fan I’ve ever met and always used to tell me facts about them/their songs. I’ll forever be grateful that we had the opportunity to see them live together in Arnhem during the 2017 No Filter tour. My copy of this book is covered in index tabs because there are so many passages that I smiled/laughed at or found fascinating. I would love nothing more than to be able to spring these facts on my dad, so I could be the one to tell him new facts about our mutual favourite band for a change.
Charlie Watts will forever be my favourite member of the Rolling Stones because his humble, animal-loving, introverted 18th-century squire persona within the world of rock ‘n roll has always both fascinated and resonated with me. I can’t imagine the amount of time/research that Paul Sexton put into this biography, and even though the technical talk and many musician names that were mentioned in this book went a bit over my head sometimes, I will always cherish this read.
Charlie Watts will forever be my favourite member of the Rolling Stones because his humble, animal-loving, introverted 18th-century squire persona within the world of rock ‘n roll has always both fascinated and resonated with me. I can’t imagine the amount of time/research that Paul Sexton put into this biography, and even though the technical talk and many musician names that were mentioned in this book went a bit over my head sometimes, I will always cherish this read.
March 14, 2023
What a wonderful person the 'Wembley Whammer' was.. Charlie was a gentleman in every sense of the word, his consideration and care for family, friends and fellow musicians left a legacy few could match.
Despite being onstage and offstage with many of the rock 'n roll gods of the past sixty years Charlie always insisted he was 'just a jazz drummer'.. that was his real passion and his humble approach earned him the respect, friendship and eternal admiration of those who had the pleasure of his company.
Charlie earned a lot of money but he had no trouble sharing and giving to others.. with him it was always the little things that mattered. Read the book and make the little things matter in your life.. Charlie would be chuffed.
Despite being onstage and offstage with many of the rock 'n roll gods of the past sixty years Charlie always insisted he was 'just a jazz drummer'.. that was his real passion and his humble approach earned him the respect, friendship and eternal admiration of those who had the pleasure of his company.
Charlie earned a lot of money but he had no trouble sharing and giving to others.. with him it was always the little things that mattered. Read the book and make the little things matter in your life.. Charlie would be chuffed.
July 6, 2025
“Get Yer Ya Ya’s Out” was my 1st Rolling Stones record. I bought it as an 8-track tape and will always think of Midnight Rambler featuring a ‘ka-chunk’ noise when the 8-track player changes in the middle of the song. No drum solos. Neither Mr. Watts nor Ringo had much use for a drum solo. If it didn’t bring anything extra to the song, neither one would add useless flourishes. He was a terrific drummer and perfect for the Stones.
There are 2 kinds of “It’s fine”. The 1st one is when a couple is low key fighting and someone says, “It’s Fine!” meaning, it is definitely, not fine. The other kind is when it really is just fine. Not bad; not terrible; not excellent, but “It’s fine”.
“Charlie’s Good Tonight” is fine. Absolutely not terrible or extraordinary.
“Charlie’s Good Tonight” is Mick speaking about him on the “Get Your Ya’s Ya’s Out” album. It is perhaps one of the greatest live albums ever done. It is so cool that one has a hard time even noticing Charlie Watts given the fantastic music going on. It’s a great thing that I’ve come to appreciate even to a greater degree the drum and bass rhythm section. This book gives props to Bill Wyman and that was much appreciated. But the book is really pretty bland. Again, not a terrible fault because Charlie Watts was such a normal guy. He had hobbies and liked to collect stuff. He never learned to drive, but liked to collect classic cars.
Even though Watts quit smoking years ago, he was stricken with throat cancer and died from complications. A good man who will be missed. 3.5 stars
There are 2 kinds of “It’s fine”. The 1st one is when a couple is low key fighting and someone says, “It’s Fine!” meaning, it is definitely, not fine. The other kind is when it really is just fine. Not bad; not terrible; not excellent, but “It’s fine”.
“Charlie’s Good Tonight” is fine. Absolutely not terrible or extraordinary.
“Charlie’s Good Tonight” is Mick speaking about him on the “Get Your Ya’s Ya’s Out” album. It is perhaps one of the greatest live albums ever done. It is so cool that one has a hard time even noticing Charlie Watts given the fantastic music going on. It’s a great thing that I’ve come to appreciate even to a greater degree the drum and bass rhythm section. This book gives props to Bill Wyman and that was much appreciated. But the book is really pretty bland. Again, not a terrible fault because Charlie Watts was such a normal guy. He had hobbies and liked to collect stuff. He never learned to drive, but liked to collect classic cars.
Even though Watts quit smoking years ago, he was stricken with throat cancer and died from complications. A good man who will be missed. 3.5 stars
March 3, 2023
Charlie deserved better than this repetitive, jumbled mess of a biography. The way this books is organized made zero sense. It's not chronological but rather some other, mysterious order that made no sense to me. Some chapters would cover events from like 1982-2021, and then next one would be from 1974-1998. So confusing. Still, there were some sweet and tender anecdotes and so it gets an extra star for those.
June 4, 2025
Biography of one of the most underrated drummers in rock history. The format of the book was very unorthodox. With a lot of personal stories from his wife and child mixed in with his life with the Stones. You like the Rolling Stones, read it.
December 9, 2022
What a great loss. Really makes you wish you knew Charlie Watts. However, I did not care for Sexton's writing style at all.
February 12, 2023
I wavered back and forth between 2 and 3 stars. I wanted to give it the extra, because Charlie, but I couldn't in the end because it's a huge disappointment. This is the official biography, done with the cooperation of family and bandmates, with prose clumsy enough that I had to re-read several paragraphs to determine what the author was on about. Maybe it's a British/American thing, maybe it's just clunky prose. I suspect the latter.
October 23, 2022
An authorised biography about Charlie Watts who by all accounts, and not just this book, was a very decent guy. This is written by someone who admires and likes Charlie Watts however this does not detract from his story. The book covers the history of the Rolling Stones and Watt's relationship with the other band members as well as exploring his musical tastes and lifestyle, including his brief but near-disastrous drugs and rock and roll lifestyle experiment.
It's very easy to read and it's impossible not to like Charlie Watts.
It's very easy to read and it's impossible not to like Charlie Watts.
April 1, 2023
Brilliant just Brilliant Biography by Paul Sexton capturing the illustrious life of the one and only Charlie "The Wembley Whammer " ,"The Heart of the Rolling Stones" ,Charlie "Boy" Watts. Not only did Charlie encompass Rhythm and Blues into The Greatest Rock and Roll band to swing and sway like the great American Jazz drummers in the very outset arising of early 60's British invansion Charlie was Humble very unpretentious . Grace and exuberant style of costume tailored suit's (which charlie adorned on and off the residential farm, lol) , shoe attire and prolific eye for graphic art designing always prevalent throughout his life and career. Always shy but never late to miss a great one-liner response comeback is congruent to Charlie's tight four on the four beat and unconventional "cross top" playing garners simplicity and yet enormous immense rolls and groove drumming. The take home for me is Charlie biggest fan and true rock is his wife of Fifty seven year's Shirley Ann Shepard Watts had passed on surely by broken heart just four months later in 2021. Charlie "The one regret i have of this life is that i was never home enough". Charlie's and Shirley are Good Tonight!!
December 2, 2022
Perhaps only four stars for the writing but as the last Stone to have a full biography and one that included much original material rather than the rehashes of well known information common to biographies of the other members (and, yes, I still read those.....I'm a Stones guy) the book deserves the extra star for completing the full picture of "the greatest rock and roll band in the world" as they were first introduced on their 1969 tour. That Charlie Watts was the quintessential eccentric British gentleman makes for some wonderful stories and the discussions if his playing capture many of the subtleties of his playing that are overlooked by casual fans. If you are a Stones fan, read it.
November 19, 2022
An unusual rock legend in that he had not a single spoiled rockstar foible about him. An outstanding drummer and gentle man in the truest sense.
This book seems to skirt the artist’s life because of the fact that Mr Watts was no John Bonham or Ginger Baker character- he was dedicated to his and the boys’ music and took great care of his loved ones. What better tale is there?
I am often after a beloved artist’s muses and inspirations. Practice tactics, and mental yoga. This book didn’t quite satisfy me there being mostly a remembrance from his mates and family.
This book seems to skirt the artist’s life because of the fact that Mr Watts was no John Bonham or Ginger Baker character- he was dedicated to his and the boys’ music and took great care of his loved ones. What better tale is there?
I am often after a beloved artist’s muses and inspirations. Practice tactics, and mental yoga. This book didn’t quite satisfy me there being mostly a remembrance from his mates and family.
December 28, 2022
An excellent biography of a true gentleman: Charlie Watts. Authorized and with lengthy interviews of both Watts and the people in his life (he died while the book was being written), this delves into his life from childhood to his death at age 80 (his wife of 40 years, Shirley, passed while I was in the middle of it). It also goes into depth about all of the things he loved, apart from the Stones - the BEST band ever - like first and foremost his family, jazz (the music he truly loved), his vast collections, and fashion. Highly, highly recommend!
February 20, 2023
"Charlie's Good Tonight" von Paul Sexton ist genau das, was du suchst, wenn dir an den Fakts gelegen ist und du dir trotzdem einen flüssigen und gut gegliederten Schreibstil wünschst. Und den liefert Paul Sexton, der Autor und Journalist ist. Es steckt viel sorgfältige Recherche in dem Buch, es gibt Gespräche mit Zeitzeugen und vieles, was Sexton selbst mit den Rolling Stones erlebt hat. Und all das wird in einer lockeren Sprache mit spannenden Details erzählt.
"Taktgeber und Seele der Rolling Stones: Die offizielle und autorisierte Biographie über den am meisten bewunderten Drummer der Welt – inklusive Vorworte seiner Bandkollegen Mick Jagger und Keith Richards. " (Ullstein Verlag)
Bleibt die Frage: Was ist so interessant an Charlie Watts? Dem Mitglied der Rolling Stones, das die meisten noch nicht einmal mit Namen kennen. Selbst im Blurb des Ullstein Verlages heißt es nur mysteriös: "den am meist bewunderten Drummer der Welt". Und, ja, es ist genau das. Charlie Watts hat es als Mitglied der größten und bekanntesten Rockgruppe der Welt geschafft -
wenig Aufmerksamkeit auf sich zu zeihen
dem Presserummel weitgehend auszuweichen
eine lange Ehe zu führen
eine Familie zu gründen
bodenständig zu bleiben
sich gut zu benehmen
Freunde zu gewinnen
unter Kolleg:innen geachtet zu sein
Musiker
Charlie Watts 2013
Wer jemals in die Nähe des Showbizz gekommen ist, der weiß, wie schwer das ist: Ein Mensch zu bleiben, wenn andere dich zum Gott machen. Und es ist sehr interessant zu lesen, wie Charlie Watts es geschafft hat, sich nicht allzu ernst zu nehmen und trotzdem in der größten Rockband der Welt zu sein, zu bleiben.
"Charlie Watts ist ein Ausnahmefall, ein Menschen von seiner Arbeit komplett losgelöst ist. Die Hysterie, die kreischende Dramatik und der Wahnsinn einer Existenz als Popstar segeln über Charlies kühlen Kopf einfach hinweg. " (Mike Grant in der Zeitung Rave)
In dieser Biografie geht es erstaunlich wenig um den Star Charlie Watts, sondern vielmehr um den Musiker. Den Bewunderer von Jazzgrößen wie Elvin Jones, Chuck Berry, Chris Barker, Acker Bill und Kenny Ball.
In einem 1966 geführten Interview mit der BBC sagt er:
"Wir verkaufen unsere Musik zurück an amerikanische Jungs, die vermutlich noch nie von den Leuten gehört haben, von denen wir die Hälfte der Sachen kopieren." (CGT Position 84)
Noch erstaunlicher ist, dass Charlie Watts keine Fan der Stones Musik war.
"Es ist mein Beruf. Mick, Keith und Ronnie sind meine Freude, es ist eine sehr gute band, aber das war's auch schon." (CGT Position 71)
Und möglicherweise hat genau das ihn zu dem richtigen Bandmitglieder an den Drums gemacht, zu dem ruhenden Pol, der Base, dem Menschen, der die Band zusammenhielt, weil ihm gar nicht so viel daran lag, dass sie zusammenblieb. In Keith Richards Autobiografie (vom Ghostwriter Andrew Loog Oldham verfasst) schrieb er:
"Es ist eigentlich wie ein Kreislauf. Aber der einzige, der keinen Fehler machen darf, ist der gute alte Charlie hinter mir. Wenn er uns den falschen Beat vorgeben würde, wären wir geliefert."
Der Autor
Charlie Watts hat keinen Ghostwriter gewählt, um über sein Leben zu schreiben, sondern hat das anderen überlassen. Auch irgendwie typisch. Und er hat sicher den besten Biografen gefunden, der seine Geschichte erzählen kann. Paul Sexton begleitet die Rolling Stones seit mehr als 30 Jahren und hat all ihre Mitglieder etliche Male interviewt. Für sein Buch über Charlie Watts bekam er exklusiven Zugang zum engsten Umfeld der Band und zur Familie des Schlagzeugers. In neun Kapitel erzählt er den Aufstieg der Stones chronologisch und macht kleine Ausflüge zu wichtigen Stationen oder Menschen in Watts Leben oder den Ticks, die Charlie hatte, wie Dinge zu sammeln, was offenbar Begleiterscheinung einer Zwangsneurose war. Ordentlich sein, Dinge abschließen, auch mehrfach, alles sortiert behalten. Wie schön, dass er doch ein paar kleine Schwächen hatte.
Sexton tut uns den Gefallen, seine Biografie über Watts nicht minutiös zu planen und zu ordnen, sondern eher eine Anekdote nach der anderen zu erzählen und dabei, fast unmerklich, die Jahrzehnte der Band zu durchlaufen. So erfährst du natürlich auch viel über das Leben der Rolling Stones, ihren Aufstieg, die Probleme und Erfolge. Und das macht Spaß, besonders, wenn man die anderen Biografien oder Autobiografien kennt. Es setzt sich ein Bild zusammen.
Die Sprache, der Stil
Biografien sind meist keine Literatur und der Ton des Autors passt sich daher auch eher einem journalistischen Stil an. Als ob man einen Zeitungsartikel nach dem anderen lesen würde, eine Geschichte, eine Begebenheit. Die Puzzlestücke finden immer wieder zusammen und geben einem nie das Gefühl, dass es so und nicht anders gewesen ist. Erinnerungen sind unzuverlässig, sowohl die von Zeitzeugen als auch die eigenen. Die vielen Zitate und Gespräch im Buch überlassen es der Leser:in, was sie glauben will und diese Großzügigkeit ist angenehm.
Das Buch enthält ein Vorwort von Mick Jagger und eines von Keith Richard, am Ende gibt es zusätzlich einen ausführlichen Bildteil.
Fazit
Eine unerwartet unaufgeregte Biografie, die einen sehr wahrhaftigen Einblick in das Lesen von Charlie Watts bietet und nicht nur für Fans interessant ist.
Verlag: Ullstein Paperback
l384 Seiten
OriginaltitelCharlie's good tonight
ÜbersetzungAus dem Englischen von Dieter Fuchs, Kristian Lutze
ISBN9783864932472
Erscheinungstag 24.11.2022
"Taktgeber und Seele der Rolling Stones: Die offizielle und autorisierte Biographie über den am meisten bewunderten Drummer der Welt – inklusive Vorworte seiner Bandkollegen Mick Jagger und Keith Richards. " (Ullstein Verlag)
Bleibt die Frage: Was ist so interessant an Charlie Watts? Dem Mitglied der Rolling Stones, das die meisten noch nicht einmal mit Namen kennen. Selbst im Blurb des Ullstein Verlages heißt es nur mysteriös: "den am meist bewunderten Drummer der Welt". Und, ja, es ist genau das. Charlie Watts hat es als Mitglied der größten und bekanntesten Rockgruppe der Welt geschafft -
wenig Aufmerksamkeit auf sich zu zeihen
dem Presserummel weitgehend auszuweichen
eine lange Ehe zu führen
eine Familie zu gründen
bodenständig zu bleiben
sich gut zu benehmen
Freunde zu gewinnen
unter Kolleg:innen geachtet zu sein
Musiker
Charlie Watts 2013
Wer jemals in die Nähe des Showbizz gekommen ist, der weiß, wie schwer das ist: Ein Mensch zu bleiben, wenn andere dich zum Gott machen. Und es ist sehr interessant zu lesen, wie Charlie Watts es geschafft hat, sich nicht allzu ernst zu nehmen und trotzdem in der größten Rockband der Welt zu sein, zu bleiben.
"Charlie Watts ist ein Ausnahmefall, ein Menschen von seiner Arbeit komplett losgelöst ist. Die Hysterie, die kreischende Dramatik und der Wahnsinn einer Existenz als Popstar segeln über Charlies kühlen Kopf einfach hinweg. " (Mike Grant in der Zeitung Rave)
In dieser Biografie geht es erstaunlich wenig um den Star Charlie Watts, sondern vielmehr um den Musiker. Den Bewunderer von Jazzgrößen wie Elvin Jones, Chuck Berry, Chris Barker, Acker Bill und Kenny Ball.
In einem 1966 geführten Interview mit der BBC sagt er:
"Wir verkaufen unsere Musik zurück an amerikanische Jungs, die vermutlich noch nie von den Leuten gehört haben, von denen wir die Hälfte der Sachen kopieren." (CGT Position 84)
Noch erstaunlicher ist, dass Charlie Watts keine Fan der Stones Musik war.
"Es ist mein Beruf. Mick, Keith und Ronnie sind meine Freude, es ist eine sehr gute band, aber das war's auch schon." (CGT Position 71)
Und möglicherweise hat genau das ihn zu dem richtigen Bandmitglieder an den Drums gemacht, zu dem ruhenden Pol, der Base, dem Menschen, der die Band zusammenhielt, weil ihm gar nicht so viel daran lag, dass sie zusammenblieb. In Keith Richards Autobiografie (vom Ghostwriter Andrew Loog Oldham verfasst) schrieb er:
"Es ist eigentlich wie ein Kreislauf. Aber der einzige, der keinen Fehler machen darf, ist der gute alte Charlie hinter mir. Wenn er uns den falschen Beat vorgeben würde, wären wir geliefert."
Der Autor
Charlie Watts hat keinen Ghostwriter gewählt, um über sein Leben zu schreiben, sondern hat das anderen überlassen. Auch irgendwie typisch. Und er hat sicher den besten Biografen gefunden, der seine Geschichte erzählen kann. Paul Sexton begleitet die Rolling Stones seit mehr als 30 Jahren und hat all ihre Mitglieder etliche Male interviewt. Für sein Buch über Charlie Watts bekam er exklusiven Zugang zum engsten Umfeld der Band und zur Familie des Schlagzeugers. In neun Kapitel erzählt er den Aufstieg der Stones chronologisch und macht kleine Ausflüge zu wichtigen Stationen oder Menschen in Watts Leben oder den Ticks, die Charlie hatte, wie Dinge zu sammeln, was offenbar Begleiterscheinung einer Zwangsneurose war. Ordentlich sein, Dinge abschließen, auch mehrfach, alles sortiert behalten. Wie schön, dass er doch ein paar kleine Schwächen hatte.
Sexton tut uns den Gefallen, seine Biografie über Watts nicht minutiös zu planen und zu ordnen, sondern eher eine Anekdote nach der anderen zu erzählen und dabei, fast unmerklich, die Jahrzehnte der Band zu durchlaufen. So erfährst du natürlich auch viel über das Leben der Rolling Stones, ihren Aufstieg, die Probleme und Erfolge. Und das macht Spaß, besonders, wenn man die anderen Biografien oder Autobiografien kennt. Es setzt sich ein Bild zusammen.
Die Sprache, der Stil
Biografien sind meist keine Literatur und der Ton des Autors passt sich daher auch eher einem journalistischen Stil an. Als ob man einen Zeitungsartikel nach dem anderen lesen würde, eine Geschichte, eine Begebenheit. Die Puzzlestücke finden immer wieder zusammen und geben einem nie das Gefühl, dass es so und nicht anders gewesen ist. Erinnerungen sind unzuverlässig, sowohl die von Zeitzeugen als auch die eigenen. Die vielen Zitate und Gespräch im Buch überlassen es der Leser:in, was sie glauben will und diese Großzügigkeit ist angenehm.
Das Buch enthält ein Vorwort von Mick Jagger und eines von Keith Richard, am Ende gibt es zusätzlich einen ausführlichen Bildteil.
Fazit
Eine unerwartet unaufgeregte Biografie, die einen sehr wahrhaftigen Einblick in das Lesen von Charlie Watts bietet und nicht nur für Fans interessant ist.
Verlag: Ullstein Paperback
l384 Seiten
OriginaltitelCharlie's good tonight
ÜbersetzungAus dem Englischen von Dieter Fuchs, Kristian Lutze
ISBN9783864932472
Erscheinungstag 24.11.2022
June 10, 2023
Well, it is an authorized biography so you won’t find many negatives here. But aside from it being more or less the family viewpoint, it is pretty well done. And certainly an interesting look into the overall history of The Rolling Stones as a band. I really liked learning more about Charlie Watts as a jazz musician which was mostly new to me, and actually more appealing to me also. Will definitely be checking on that music catalogue to see what I think. All in all, a good read.
December 17, 2022
A lovely book about the life of a lovely man.
A book that will put a smile on your face and a tear in your eye.
A book that will put a smile on your face and a tear in your eye.
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