My favorite rock’n’roll star is Charlie Watts, who has been the drummer for the Rolling Stones since 1963.

In Europe, the crowds go berserk every time Charlie is introduced. But when Barb and I saw the Stones in Houston in ‘03, the people around us looked at me as though I’d farted in church when I stood up and bellowed for Mr. Watts.

Drummers get no respect here in the States. (I blame Tommy Lee.)

It’s a different story with Charlie’s bandmates. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards have both said that if Charlie quits the Stones, the band is finished.

Of course, Keith has also said that the only way anybody (after Bill Wyman) is getting out of the Stones is in a box.

That actually could have happened for Charlie in 2004, when he was diagnosed with throat cancer. But he fought it, beat it, and then embarked on the Bigger Bang Tour with the rest of the band.

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 Charlie Watts by Bland Lemon Denton [5:11m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Over at Wonderoom, Mirrorneuron recalls spending a summer on an organic farm at age 19.

I learned many things that summer. I learned that my favorite part of the day really is first thing in the morning, even if I do hate getting up. I learned that I enjoy nude sunbathing as long as there are no helicopters flying overhead (nevermind Google Earth). I learned that organic farming is a pain in the ass, but also a feast for the senses, and the soul. Finally, I learned that if you accidently drop burning cinders into a huge, well established compost pile it can burn a pretty blue color for days and days and days.