Dec 6, 2021: Jagger, Richards, Wood Play at Charlie Watts Tribute Concert
by Best Classic Bands Staff
Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood performed at a tribute concert for Charlie Watts on Dec. 6, 2021. The private event, at the legendary Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in the heart of London’s Soho district, was essentially the first time the longtime bandmates were able to salute their drummer in the U.K., months after he passed on August 24 at age 80.
Just weeks before Watts died, the band had announced that he wouldn’t be participating in the 2021 U.S. leg of their “No Filter” tour. And thus each performance began with a video montage to the drummer.
The stadium tour concluded on Nov. 23 at a relatively intimate venue, the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Fla., before an audience of roughly 8,000.
Watch the brief video tribute to Watts from the Nov. 23 show, just before the Stones started their set with “Street Fighting Man”
On a Monday night at Ronnie Scott’s, Watts’ favorite jazz club, the packed venue was limited to roughly 200 invited guests. The U.K. press reported that they included Watts’ closest friends, fellow musicians, and extended family. Among them was former Stones bassist Bill Wyman, who was there with his wife, though he didn’t perform.
The Rolling Stones’ sax player Tim Ries performed “Blues For Charlie.” Longtime Stones’ backup singer Lisa Fischer sang “Trouble in Mind” and was joined by another Stones vocalist, Bernard Fowler, for another song.
Take it away, DJ Gerry…
Jagger, Richards and Wood, who attended with their wives, then played two R&B standards, “Shame Shame Shame” and “Down the Road Apiece.” Regrettably, there appear to be no video clips from the Charlie Watts tribute concert.
Watch the Stones – with Watts – perform “Shame Shame Shame” in 1997
Related: Listings for 100s of classic rock tours
1 Comment so far
Jump into a conversationWhat is it with this thing between the Stones and Wyman? Wyman didn’t participate in travelling with the band on the Stones 50th Anniversary tour because they only gave one song to play on during the first date in London, so Wyman said “Screw this!” Fortunately, though Mick Taylor received the same initial treatment, he went along with it, and eventually they opened things up to allow him to play his famous guitar break on “Can’t You Hear Me Knockin.” But they didn’t allow it right away, which is just stupid. But for Watts’ sendoff, you’d think Wyman and the Stones could get together for one night — in the spirit of Charlie Watts, and all they’d all been through together. Life’s too short boys, and you’re all staring at the end of it. Time to forget about whatever stands between you and celebrate all you did together. Losing one of your own would have been the right time to do that.