Forming a great band is about more than just musical skill—it’s about chemistry. No matter how technically proficient a player might be, if there’s no connection with the rest of the group, it rarely works. The Rolling Stones found their ideal lineup gradually in the early 1960s, but before drummer Charlie Watts joined, Keith Richards was certain Mick Avory wasn’t the right fit behind the drum kit.
In those days, The Stones had a similar dynamic to The Beatles. While The Beatles revolved around the creative partnership of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, the chemistry between all four members was crucial to their sound. The Rolling Stones’ early success depended on a similar sense of unity. Without the right drummer, Richards feared their musical foundation would lack the gritty feel they were after.
At that stage, The Stones were focused on blues covers, pulling from the same American blues legends everyone in England admired. Most of their early work was inspired by artists like Muddy Waters, and they weren’t yet writing original songs. Their manager, Andrew Loog Oldham, would later push Mick Jagger and Richards to start crafting their own material, transforming their sound. But before that shift, a deep grasp of blues rhythms was non-negotiable for any drummer wanting a spot in the band.
Mick Avory, who would later become the drummer for The Kinks, briefly appeared as a candidate. Known for his raw rock drumming style, Avory’s intense groove was pivotal to hits like “You Really Got Me” and the soft, steady rhythm in “Waterloo Sunset.” But Richards was unimpressed with Avory’s ability to connect with The Stones’ style.
During rehearsals, it was clear Avory couldn’t nail the specific off-beat rhythm the band needed, a sound inspired by bluesman Jimmy Reed. Richards didn’t hold back, later commenting, “We were rehearsing drummers. Mick Avory came by… He was terrible, then. Couldn’t find that off beat. Couldn’t pick up on that Jimmy Reed stuff.”
For The Stones, that rhythmic feel was essential. Blues music shaped the band’s sound, and Richards wanted a drummer who could match their heroes’ raw energy. Even Watts, who eventually became their drummer, initially lacked deep blues knowledge. But his experience in jazz brought a unique finesse and adaptability that meshed perfectly with the band’s style. With Watts, The Stones gained a distinctive rhythmic drive on songs like “Satisfaction,” taking their sound to a new level.
Looking back, passing on Avory may have saved The Stones some headaches. The Kinks drummer was known for his sometimes volatile behavior onstage, once going so far as to throw drum parts at his bandmates during disputes. While Watts and The Stones had their own tensions, their chemistry ultimately proved essential to the band’s longevity and legacy.
