DAILY DIRT: We lost Charlie Watts two years ago today, but his words live on

Daily Dirt for Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023

What George Harrison (“The Quiet Beatle) was to his group, Charlie Watts was to the Rolling Stones … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 706 of The Daily Dirt.

1. It was two years ago today that we lost the Rolling Stones’ iconic drummer, Charlie Watts, who died of cancer at age 80.

Americansongwriter.com journalist Jacob Uitti once labeled Watts the “spine” of the Stones. Watts spent 60 ears of his life intertwined in the workings of rock and roll. Here are what I feel are the medal-worthy quotes from the quietest of the Stones:

Gold medal: “Rock and roll has probably given more than it’s taken.”

Silver medal: “I wanted to play drums because I fell in love with the glitter and the lights, but it wasn’t about adulation. It was being up there playing.”

Bronze medal: “Mick’s not good on his own problems, but he’s very good at other people’s. He’s been wonderful over the years. I don’t mean I ring him up every week, but he’s fantastic.”

2. Speaking of the Stones, have you ever wondered what they are worth? 

Combined, the group is estimated to be worth $1.5 billion. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, the band’s co-founders, are the richest of all according to reports earlier this year. Jagger’s net worth in 2023 is $520 million compared to Richards’ $500 million.

3. OK, boomers … would you argue these were probably the most popular dances during our formative years?

1. The Jerk: This dance was originally called “The Lark” and was popularized by a group called “The Jerks”. Some music executive switched things around and the dance craze became known as “The Jerk” and the group’s name was switched to “The Larks”. 

2. The Twist: Thanks, Chubby Checker.

3. The Mashed Potato: Dee Dee Sharp’s song helped this dance take off.

Honorable mention: The Pony, The Swim, The Locomotion.

Steve Thought O’ The Day — I have often felt Ichiro Suzuki might be the greatest natural hitter to have ever played in MLB — and that’s taking nothing away from Ty Cob and about a dozen others. But consider this, Ichiro once collected 200 hits — over a span of just 113 games in 2004. That year he finished with 262 hits, the most ever in an MLB season.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. Can he do The Limbo? How low can he go?