Here is my favourite Charlie Watts story, possibly apocryphal. In the freezing-cold winter of 1962-63, both Watts and bassist Bill Wyman joined the Rolling Stones. The three senior members – Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Brian Jones – thought it would be a good idea if the pair went out for an evening to make sure there was chemistry in their new rhythm section.

Watts suggested a Chinese restaurant; Wyman said he had never eaten Chinese food before. When they sat down to eat their chicken and sweetcorn soup starter, Wyman picked up his fluted ceramic spoon as he usually would. Watts whispered, “Oh no, don’t drink it like that,” and told Wyman that the Chinese way was to put the soup on the spoon, then pour it down the fluted handle and into your mouth. “Thanks,” laughed Wyman, “I nearly made a right fool of myself.”

New Statesman