| Webmaster | Hold on tight... Charlie Chat Coming up... |
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| America Online, Inc. |
| CWattsLIVE | Hello everyone. |
| AOLiveMC15 | Let's get right to the questions! |
| Question | Hiya Chalrie-I'd just like to say youre a great drummer. And why don't you like to make music videos? |
| CWattsLIVE | Because they're boring...bloody boring. |
| Question | Do you still have any of the great old Rogers drum kits from the early days?? |
| CWattsLIVE | I never had a Rogers drum kit. I never had Rogers drums, or liked them |
| Question | Are we going to get any more live recordings from the early days on CD? any time soon. |
| CWattsLIVE | No idea, but if somebody finds some, its a possibility. |
| Question | The other Stones have long credited you with being the glue that holds the Stones together. How have you done it? |
| CWattsLIVE | I've got no idea. I don't think about things like that. |
| Question | Charlie you are so well loved.....we all know your uncomfortable doing interviews.....are you being held hostage by the aol people?should we send help? |
| CWattsLIVE | Yes and no. |
| Question | We have heard that you draw pictures of every bed you've ever slept in on the read. Is this true? How long have you been doing it and why? |
| CWattsLIVE | Yes it's true. Since about 1968 or 67-- Out of boredom, really it's like a visual diary. |
| Question | Hi Charlie! What is it about Gretch drums that you find appealing? |
| CWattsLIVE | The history of them, really. All my favorite drummers used to advertise them. |
| Question | Charlie, Has the onstage, i.e. musical relationship betwwen you and Keith changed over the years - especially with Bill's depatrture from the Stones? - TuffPuppy1 |
| CWattsLIVE | No, it's always been the same, I hope. |
| Question | From Diane in NJ I have come to the conclusion that Bridges is the absolute best album out of Steel Wheels and vodoo, do you feel that the band on a whole is playing better then ever??Sounds like it to me. |
| CWattsLIVE | Yes. |
| Question | Hi Charlie- I first saw the band in 1966 and was wondering if your arms are any sorer nowadays after a show--sd |
| CWattsLIVE | No, I don't think so. Not my arms. My head is. |
| Question | What's your most prized possesion in your Civil War collection? |
| CWattsLIVE | A Remmington revolver. |
| Question | How is it that even with Kieth and Charlie's chuga guitar playing you're able to keep such steady grooves going? They both tend to throw in chords on off beats or when "they fealing the need to". How difficult does this make your job as a drummer? |
| CWattsLIVE | They don't throw me in any way. It's very easy to play with Keith. He's one of the best rhythm guitar players, actually. So it's very easy. |
| Question | Is this your first time ever on AOL? |
| CWattsLIVE | It's my first time ever looking at a computer, like this. Except with Mick and the Cricket. |
| Question | From Diane in NJ merchandise for you tours, any thing new added recently |
| CWattsLIVE | Yes, there's more coming in. |
| Question | Hi Charlie! The tour this time has been really great! Do you ever see yourself retiring, being a "country gent" and enjoying your grandchildren? |
| CWattsLIVE | Yes. Soon. |
| Question | You've been called "The Best Dressed Stone" Any comment on that? |
| CWattsLIVE | No, not really. |
| Question | Who are your biggest jazz heroes/influences and what do you bring from your understanding of jazz to the Stones? |
| CWattsLIVE | Kenny Clarke and Charlie Parker. |
| Question | Charlie--do you still design the Stones stages? |
| CWattsLIVE | With Mark Fischer and Mick. |
| Question | We read you had a book published about Charlie Parker -- Ode to A High Flying Bird. Can you describe it a little and is it available anywhere? |
| CWattsLIVE | It's his life story done as a childs book and I don't know if it's available. |
| Question | Charlie, I have always been intrigued by your enigmatic smile. What isit that makes you smile that way? |
| CWattsLIVE | Indigestion, usually. |
| Question | Charlie, what do the Stones do when not practicing or touring? |
| CWattsLIVE | I've got no idea they do. |
| Question | How do you prepare yourself for a show? Do you have a particular routine you follow? |
| CWattsLIVE | Yes. Stretches, and sitting in Ronnie and Keith's room, usually. |
| Question | Hi Charlie- Do you listen to any of the bands who opened up for you on the tour? Which act was your favorite? |
| CWattsLIVE | Yes, all of them. Santana. |
| Question | Loved your Charlie Parker tribute--who are some of your other favorite jazz artists? |
| CWattsLIVE | It's endless. All of them. |
| Question | What is the strangest gift you have ever received from fans? |
| CWattsLIVE | I can't remember, probably something in Japan. |
| Question | Should drum machines worry drummers? |
| CWattsLIVE | No, you should work with them, really. But they are very interesting things to work with. |
| Question | charlie, which drummers-- past or current-- do you admire most and why? |
| CWattsLIVE | Davey Tough, Kenny Clarke, and Roy Haynes, Elvin Jones, etc, etc...all of them Swing and taste style. |
| Question | Charlie-I loved your little comic strip on the back of Beggars Banquet- do you plan on putting out a book of sketches? from STONESDOUG |
| CWattsLIVE | No. I'll leave that to Ronnie. |
| Question | What jazz or blues album do you listen to that is guarenteed to put you in a good mood? |
| CWattsLIVE | Anything by Miles Davis or Charlie Parker. |
| Question | You're my inspiration, how many "sticks" do you go through during a concert and/or tour! You ROCK!!!! |
| CWattsLIVE | None, except I throw two pairs away to the audience. |
| Question | i've been a stones fan for alot of years,my favorite stones era has to be the sticky fingers,exile on main street,what would be you're favorite "era"or would you're solo jazz projects be best? |
| CWattsLIVE | The Mick Taylor period and the jazz things are different. They are just as enjoyable, they are just different. But the Rolling Stones are very special to play with. |
| Question | What are the main differences in recording a solo album like ìLong Ago and Far Awayî compared to, say ìBridges to Babylonî? |
| CWattsLIVE | One is a very delicate thing and very quick. |
| Question | Charlie, malcom from london here. I saw you with Rocket 88 at the Half Moon Pub in Putney. What's the best thing and the worst thing about playing stadiums as opposed to smaller clubs? |
| CWattsLIVE | The best thing is that you can play to a lot of people in one go. And the worst thing is that you have to rely on monitors so much. In jazz clubs, its more intimate. |
| Question | Hi Charlie, I am a Hungarian Stones fan. My question is, in the song "Always Suffering" do you really sing background vocals, as it is stated in the booklet? If so, what made you decide to sing? |
| CWattsLIVE | No, I've never sung in my life, and you wouldn't like it if I did. |
| Comment | Mr. Watts, good morning from Germany, we're looking forward to see you in Berlin. Please bring the same power and LUST to play as you always did before. kisses for you. and keep Mick in the cage..... |
| CWattsLIVE | Thank you. |
| Question | if you could have been in a different band other than the Stones, who would it have been? |
| CWattsLIVE | Duke Ellington's. |
| Question | Charlie, Out of control is the best Stones song I've heard in a long time. It is diff for a Stones song. How did it come about |
| CWattsLIVE | Ask Mick. |
| Question | Have you ever tried to convince Mick and Keith to do a few jazz covers now and then, especially from the fusion era? |
| CWattsLIVE | No, never. |
| Question | You are often cited by other stones members as being the inspiration for the "Rolling Stones Sound" Yet you have always shunned this idea. Will you ever take credit for your contribution to rock music? |
| CWattsLIVE | No, I'm not interested. |
| Question | Charlie, Love the Honky Tonk beat. Did you come up with it and the cowbell part or just how did that happen? |
| CWattsLIVE | Jimmy Miller played the cowbell and I joined in. |
| Question | After all the years of interviews and stories about the Stones, is there something that you could tell us that we don't know, but might find interesting, about you or the band? |
| CWattsLIVE | No, no secrets or dirt. |
| Question | You are one of the most daper stars around, and seem to have immaculate taste in suits. How do you rate US tailoring compared to your own Saville Row in London? |
| CWattsLIVE | The American taylors I use are Italian Americans and they make beautiful clothes. |
| Question | At what point did the rock n roll lifestyle become a career; i.e., when did the "event" aspect wear off, and when did the lifestyle seem "normal"? |
| CWattsLIVE | I've got no idea what you are talking about. |
| Question | Hey Charlie! Youre the best. So heres my question---I recently saw two of the shows---and they were my first (im only 17 yrs old) and you guys were incredible!! So i wanted to know---how important are the young fans now? |
| CWattsLIVE | Very. Keeps things going. Without young people, it would die. |
| Question | How much are you involved on the current lp? I heard that other drummers (like Kenny Aronoff) played on some songs. (Jim...Erie,Pa) |
| CWattsLIVE | Kenny played percussion, I played the drums. Kenny and Jim Keltner. Both wonderful players. It's a fraternity. Lots of love, Charlie. |
| Question | What was it like being sampled by the Dust Brothers? |
| CWattsLIVE | Great. I enjoyed every minute. They are very nice young men. And it was very interesting. But takes a lot of work on their part. |
| Question | are u bemused by the enormity of the Rolling Stones (corporate sponsorship etc)? |
| CWattsLIVE | I'm bemused by the enormity of the Rolling Stones. I was and still am. |
| Question | Hi, Charlie! along, more new songs would be added. How much new stuff are you doing now? In Chicago we heard 2 new ones. |
| CWattsLIVE | Five. |
| Question | How do you reconcile your two great musical passions, jazz and the Rolling Stones? Is there common ground? |
| CWattsLIVE | The drums and time. |
| Question | Do you think the band has grown closer or farther apart since their first US tour in ë64? |
| CWattsLIVE | A lot closer. |
| Question | Would you rather return to simpler times when you just had to be good or do you like the modern technology that can enhance/correct music that may not be so good? Why? |
| CWattsLIVE | That's not true. You must start good. |
| Question | Did Mick really start playing the drums on Keithís song ìYou DonítHave to Mean It?î and is it you on the final cut? |
| CWattsLIVE | Yes and yes. |
| Question | Who would be in your "dream rhythm section"? |
| CWattsLIVE | There are so many. Dream rhythm section, there was one. Count Basie, Freddy Greene, and Jo Jones. |
| Question | Is there a particular song or songs that you really look forward to playing on this tour, where you can stretch out a bit? |
| AOLiveMC15 | There is time for one final question. |
| CWattsLIVE | No, its a show. It's not open-ended like jazz, except on some of the fades. |
| Question | Are you proud to be a member of the Rolling Stones? Charlie, I've been a fan since 1965-keep up the good work! I was just curious as to why you use headphones when playing on the mini stage. |
| CWattsLIVE | Yes, immensely. Because of the bounce back from the speakers. You get two or three beats at a time so I have to hear myself and Keith. without the rest, really. Good night everyone! |
| AOLiveMC15 | Thanks for joining us here tonight Charlie, it was very entertaining! Thanks to each of you in the audience for being here also! Good night! |
| AOLiveMC7 | Good night, Charlie, and thank you. Thank you, audience! |
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