SEATTLE — The last time legendary drummer Charlie Watts and the Rolling Stones performed in Seattle in August of 2019, KZOK-Radio morning show host Danny Bonaduce saw it all up close, and the timeless music brought back decades of memories.

“My very first show ever was the Rolling Stones,” he said. “And for sure, the last show I ever saw was the Rolling Stones.”

The death of the 80-year-old respected percussionist—who often said his day job supported his passion for jazz—saddened fans hoping the band would somehow defy Father Time and tour again. Keeping steady rhythmic time with the timeless, seemingly ageless band, which forged country, blues and rock into metal, was something a lot of Stones fans—like Bonaduce–figured would last forever.

“Charlie Watts didn’t change,” said Bonaduce. “You could count on him since 1963. He was the one guy who was always steady.”

The drummer kept the steady heartbeat of the music for the last time in Seattle at Lumen Field two years ago for generations of fans, some of whom told KIRO-7 they’d seen the Stones live 15 times. As fans mourn the legend’s passing, Danny says there’s an inspirational takeaway from Charlie Watts’ life that he says comes down to one word.

“Endure,” he said. “You can’t say that about anybody else. I saw a thousand shows, but they weren’t my first and last, know what I’m saying? Be like the Rolling Stones and just endure. And be like Charlie Watts and keep the pace.”

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