Solid Gone

A witty rock'n'roll friend from Tucson, Arizona, has written to me suggesting that I might submit my CV in connection with a vacancy that has arisen in the Rolling Stones. "You have that jazz background. And you’re in their age group," he observes.

In fact, I'm not quite that old... yet. And I can't say that the post appeals – even if it were on offer.

No one can really fill Charlie Watts's drumming shoes. Not because he was the "ultimate" or the "greatest" drummer, as the media and various tribute-givers would have us believe – but because he was the perfect man for the job.

Perfect, because he was happy to have a back seat and just take care of the business that was required.

That's not to denigrate his talents. But those saying what a brilliant drummer he was are really saying that he knew his place – i.e. keeping time and nothing too fancy.

He wasn't Ginger Baker or Keith Moon or Buddy Rich or Gene Krupa – genius drummers who actually defined and directed the bands that they played in. That's why the Stones will roll on and still sound pretty much the same.

Charlie Watts was a solid drummer who knew what he was there to do and did it. He also seems to have been a truly decent bloke. And in the world of rock'n'roll that counts for a lot.

Rory Stories

Mention of Rory Gallagher (see previous post) seems to have sparked off numerous Gallagher-related stories. The affection that people have for this great musician is typified by the wonderful statue (above) that stands in his birthplace of Ballyshannon.

My barber (and blue/rock aficionado) Chris reminded me of the story that Jimi Hendrix is reputed to have referred to Rory as the greatest guitarist in the world. During my haircut, we also discussed the stories surrounding the Rolling Stones' supposed invitation to Rory to replace Mick Taylor.

Chris reckons that Rory's brother and manager, Donal, told him not to join the Stones – on the basis that Rory would end up upstaging Mick Jagger ("and Mick wouldn't like that"). Rory was certainly a greater musician and, arguably, a greater showman, since he could run and duck-walk all over a stage while continuing to play the most amazing guitar.

It appears that Rory did hang out with the Stones and may have contributed some riffs. But he allegedly grew impatient with waiting for some sort of decision from a comatose Keith Richards, and walked out to meet his own tour commitments.

Whether Keith's bad habits would have accelerated Rory's demise or vice versa will never be known.

Storm Trooper

I don't know why it took me so long, but I finally got around to reading 'Riders On The Storm', drummer John Densmore's account of his time with the Doors.

The Doors were an amazing band on so many levels and remain so. As I said in my previous post on the death of Ray Manzarek, they were way out ahead of the Beatles and the Stones.

If ever proof were needed of the skill, intelligence, thoughtfulness and passion of the drummer, Densmore's book is exactly that. And if you want sex, drugs and rock'n'roll, they're all there too.

Densmore's ability to use the drums to respond to other instruments but, above all, to Jim Morrison's words and almost complete unpredictability on stage continue to inspire me, and no doubt countless other players.

Monkey Business

I had the pleasure of playing drums on a recording session by Brighton band The Monkey Fingers last night. It was the usual story of three-and-a-half hours setting everything up, half an hour playing and two hours trying to sort out the recordings.

The Funky Mingers, as they are also known, play mainly rhythm and blues in a Sixties/Seventies, Stones/Beatles kind of way. And the lead guitarist Gary is 18. He wasn't even born when people were born who weren't even born in that era. And yet he totally has the feel for the music and played some great solos.

I recall my father saying that the music we were listening to in the Sixties wouldn't last. Well, he got that wrong...

Satisfaction Not Guaranteed

There were some lovely people in the audience last night. And one not so lovely person too. A woman came up to Russ Payne mid-set, informed him that she didn't like the blues music we were playing and asked: "Can you do some Rolling Stones?"

Russ politely explained that we didn't do Rolling Stones numbers. And she then, not quite so politely, told him to "F*** off, then".

Fortunately, everyone else in the place seemed more than happy with the Shark Dentists' set list, and there was much dancing and encoring.

The incident with the Stones fan was hardly Altamont... but it always leaves a nasty taste when someone gets aggressive.