A Moment in Stone with Keith and Charlie

 

Watching the Rolling Stones Havana concert from 2016. They were old even then. They’d been together 55 years by this time. They’re playing Midnight Rambler. They do about a 13 minute version of this 1969 classic.

Keith Richards usually directs the tempo in the Stones and Charlie Watts the drummer follows him. There’s a point during the long jam in the middle of the song where they change tempos. Keith comes back to Charlie and gives him a knowing look. He smiles. He nods. He’s giving Charlie, his long time pal and drummer of over half a century, the green light! “Take it!” he says!

So Charlie kicks it in, and the band follows with the new groove. He took it! Success! Keith flashes a huge grin, turns and struts back to his post. They all have a good laugh. It was a great moment. I love watching band mates have spontaneous fun on stage. Especially guitar players and drummers!

Even in their seventies.