For me, the ultimate tribute to this man's skills: I, like most of you, can think of a pile of Stones tunes, and I distinctly remember the overall groove or feel of each one, without remembering any particular drum part highlight or something fancy going on behind the kit. And in a quantized and often squared-off rhythm world, he could swing, these days a lost art, something no preset or patch can do.
To me that's the ultimate measure of his contribution. He lived a long and remarkable life as a very elegant man often surrounded by the tawdriest of circumstances. A class act, a Gentleman in the best sense of the word, and I hope he eased away easily with no struggle.
God Rest Charlie Watts
