Home Jambase The Group That Featured Rolling Stones’ Charlie Watts & Cream’s Jack Bruce

The Group That Featured Rolling Stones’ Charlie Watts & Cream’s Jack Bruce

August 24, 2023

When it comes to legendary rock ‘n’ roll drummers whose playing was significant in shaping the sound of their band, there are the typical choices like Led Zeppelin’s John Bonham, The Who’s Keith Moon, The Beatles’ Ringo Starr and Cream’s Ginger Baker, among others.

Another such integral time keeper was The Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts, who joined the band in 1963 and was the foundation of the group’s songs both in the studio and on the live stage. Watts, who died on this date in 2021 at the age of 80, helped shape the sound of The Rolling Stones, propelling them to be one of the all-time influential rock bands of all time.

Prior to joining The Rolling Stones, Watts played drums in the London-based band Blues Incorporated which was led by guitarist Alexis Korner. During this time, bassist Jack Bruce was part of the group, prior to his forming Cream. Bruce’s future Cream bandmate, drummer Ginger Baker, also performed with Blues Incorporated.

Others said to have performed with Blues Incorporated include Watts’ future Rolling Stones bandmates, vocalist Mick Jagger and guitarists Keith Richards and Brian Jones. Additionally, Rod Stewart, John Mayall and Jimmy Page were also among those who performed with Blues Incorporated.

A recording of Alex Korner’s Blues Incorporated performing for the BBC Jazz Club on July 12, 1962 features the incredible rhythm section of Watts on drums and Bruce on bass. The lineup also included Korner on guitar, Dick Hestall-Smith on saxophone, Cyril Davis on harmonica and Dave Stevens on piano.

That same night – July 12, 1962 – The Rolling Stones performed their first public concert at London’s Marquee Jazz Club. The Stones lineup included Jagger, Richards, guitarist Elmo Lewis, keyboardist Ian Stewart, bassist Dick Taylor and drummer Mick Avory.

As for that evening’s Alex Korner’s Blues Incorporated concert at the Marquee, the band performed Korner’s song “Hey Hey” as well as Cyril Davis’ “Spooky But Nice.” Watts and his cohorts also performed a cover of Willie Dixon’s “Hoochie Coochie Man” which was later officially released in July 1972 on Korner’s album Bootleg Him!.

Listen to the Alex Korners Blues Incorporated lineup featuring The Rolling Stones’ drummer Charlie Watts and Cream bassist Jack Bruce performing “Hey Hey,” “Spooky But Nice” and “Hoochie Coochie Man” in 1962 below:

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