Cédric Chasseur, with Nicolas Feldmann 8:20 p.m., August 24, 2021, modified at 8:23 p.m., August 24, 2021

Shortly after the announcement of the death of Charlie Watts, the legendary drummer of the Rolling Stones, at the age of 80, the journalist Philippe Maneuver shared his deep emotion at the microphone of Europe 1. The rock specialist remembers "d 'a formidable fellow ", who" kept the machine moving, the Rolling Stones locomotive ".

"Death hit us on the shoulder, on vacation, when no one expected it."

Like many rock fans, the announcement of the death of Charlie Watts, the drummer of the Rolling Stones, at the age of 80, surprised Philippe Maneuver.

The journalist, who attended several concerts of the group, shared at the microphone of Europe his deep emotion.

On the verge of tears, he confides that it is a "very hard, terrible" blow. 

"The engine of the group"

"The Rolling Stones have lasted so long, 59 years", regrets Philippe Maneuver, who remembers the remarks that Keith Richard had recently. The guitarist then explained that the goal of the group was to stay alive, all four, to celebrate the six years of the Rolling Stones in 2022. "It will not be like that", slips the man with the perfecto and dark glasses. 

Mythical figure of the Rolling Stones, whom he had joined in 1963, Charlie Watts, his often impassive face, offered on stage the perfect counterpoint to the frantic swaying of Mick Jagger. But "it was the engine of the group", in the eyes of Philippe Maneuver. "He was the one driving the machine, the Rolling Stones locomotive." He was particularly recognized for his talent, him the imperturbable metronome of the group, installed in the back of the stage behind his drums. It produced "a deaf, shattering sound", remembers Philippe Maneuver. "He was a drummer who hated the effects, who did not add any."

The journalist recalls that Charlie Watts had "one of the smallest drums in rock history". Which did not prevent him "from making an absolutely formidable sound". Music that lovers of the Rolling Stones will be eager to listen to again.