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Charlie Watts, about his 1985 junkie period (2001): “During this period, I was personally in a hell of a mess and as a result I wasn’t really aware of the problems between Mick and Keith and the danger these posed to the band’s existence. I was in pretty bad shape, taking drugs and drinking a lot. I don’t know what made me do it that late in life – well, to Keith, it wasn’t late enough! – although in retrospect I think I must have been going through some kind of mid-life crisis. I had never done any serious drugs when I was younger, but at this point in my life I went, Sod it, I’ll do it now – and I was totally reckless…
…What scared me was that I became a completely different person by going down that path, a totally different person to the one that everybody had known for over 20 years… This phase lasted for a couple of years, but it took a long time for me, and my family, to get over it. I was another person, I was Dracula in the mid-’80s. I used to go out at night, it was ridiculous… It was the life of a junkie, without being really down there. I saw it before I really got down there. And it’s a thing that frightens me, actually… I can’t explain it, I don’t know why I did it.”
From the NME: The Rolling Stones‘ Charlie Watts had admitted he was lucky not to become addicted to heroin during the ’70s. Speaking to BBC 6 Music about the re-release of the band’s 1978 LP ‘Some Girls’, the drummer revealed he had dabbled with the drug during the recording of the album but was convinced to stop taking the substance after an intervention from guitarist Keith Richards.
He said, “I was lucky that I never got hooked, but I went through a period of taking heroin.” He then went on to add: “I fell asleep on the floor [during the recording of] ‘Some Girls’ and Keith woke me up and said, ‘You should do this when you’re older’. Keith telling me this! But it stuck and I just stopped along with everything else.”
Although Richards may have convinced Watts to give up his habit, the guitarist has gained a reputation for debauchery himself. In particular, he faced 25 drug charges from police in 1973 after they found marijuana, heroin, Mandrax and drug paraphernalia in his house, although he has long claimed that the police set him up. Last month, it was revealed that The Rolling Stones‘ Mick Jagger and Keith Richards would meet in December to discuss plans for the band’s 50th anniversary.
The pair have been embroiled in a well-documented spat since Richards mocked the size of the singer’s manhood in his autobiography Life, but it now appears as if they will put their differences aside to celebrate the anniversary of their first ever gig, which took place on in London on July 12, 1962. (Ref. junkie)
The Rolling Stones have had their fair share of trials and tribulations along their musical journey. Behind the glitz and glamour, the members of the band have had personal struggles that tested their resilience and spirit. Drummer Charlie Watts, in particular, has opened up about his challenging past, providing a glimpse into his life during the band’s turbulent 1985 period.
In an interview, Watts candidly spoke about his experience with addiction during that time. Reflecting on his days as a “junkie,” Charlie Watts revealed the dark shadows he had to overcome. “During this period, I was…” he trailed off, perhaps not ready to divulge all the details. While the specifics of Watts’ struggle may remain untold, his triumphant journey from the depths of addiction to a life of sobriety is an inspiring testament to his strength and determination. Overcoming addiction is an arduous process, one that requires unwavering commitment and a support system. It is a battle fought in the shadows, where one faces their inner demons alone.
For Watts, the turning point came when he found the strength to seek help and embark on a path to recovery. Surrounding himself with loved ones and seeking professional assistance, he was able to conquer his addiction and find a renewed sense of purpose. His story serves as a reminder of the human capacity for resilience and the power of redemption.
