The Moment Ronnie Wood Painted A Portrait Of Charlie Watts During Soundcheck

April 2, 2025

The sun hung low in the sky as the warm glow of the afternoon light streamed through the windows of the small venue in London. Inside, the air buzzed with excitement as the Rolling Stones prepared for their upcoming performance. The stage was set, but before the band played their iconic hits to the roaring crowd, Ronnie Wood found himself in a quieter, more intimate moment. He was tuning his guitar, but his eyes drifted to his bandmate, Charlie Watts, who was sitting nearby, calmly tapping on his drums during soundcheck.

Ronnie had always admired Charlie, not just for his incredible drumming skills, but for his calm demeanor that balanced the wild energy of the band. In that instant, an idea sparked in Ronnie’s mind. He grabbed a canvas and some paints from a nearby table, feeling an overwhelming urge to capture the serenity of Charlie in that moment of concentration. It wasn’t just a portrait; it was a snapshot of the bond they shared, built on years of laughter, music, and friendship. With each stroke of the brush, Ronnie poured his admiration for Charlie onto the canvas.

As the paint brushed against the fabric, the world around Ronnie faded away. He worked with passion, listening to the rhythm of Charlie’s drumming, feeling inspired by the heartbeat that defined their music. Around them, the crew members went about their tasks, but for Ronnie, there was only the canvas, the colors, and Charlie. The strokes of the brush transformed the blank surface into something alive, a reflection of Charlie’s spirit—wise, steady, and filled with a quiet strength that often went unnoticed in the frenzy of rock and roll.

Charlie noticed what Ronnie was doing and paused his drumming, a bemused smile creeping across his face. “You know, mate, I’ve never had my portrait painted before,” he chuckled softly. Ronnie laughed, feeling a warmth in his heart. This wasn’t just about art; it was a tribute to the years they had spent together on stage and off. Each line of paint became a memory, a moment shared under the bright stage lights, a reminder of how music had bound them together.

When he finally stepped back to admire his work, a sense of fulfillment washed over Ronnie. In that portrait, he captured not just Charlie’s likeness, but the essence of their friendship and the heartbeat of the Rolling Stones. That painting later became one of Ronnie’s cherished pieces, reminding him of the power of creativity and the importance of taking moments to appreciate those we love. It reinforced his idea that music and art are two sides of the same coin, both capable of expressing what words often cannot.

Years later, as Ronnie looked back on that day, he realized how it shaped his career and life. It reminded him to find inspiration in the little moments and to celebrate the people who made his journey worthwhile. Life as an artist was unpredictable, but the resilience he found in that moment, painting Charlie’s portrait, became a driving force in his work. It was a testament to their friendship and a reminder that art could capture the spirit of rock and roll in all its chaotic beauty, forever etched in the hearts of those who had the joy of sharing it.