People just love to be around him. Woody described his role in the Stones as “diplomatic liaison officer”—the only guy on speaking terms with both Mick and Keith. Some musicians have that quality; they can play with people. The Smiths didn’t have a Ringo, and neither did the Clash, which is why these bands imploded too soon. It’s often the drummer’s job, whether that’s the Velvets’ Mo Tucker, U2’s Larry Mullen Jr., or R.E.M.’s Bill Berry. (“Michael said he liked my eyebrows,” a bemused Berry told Rolling Stone in 1985. “He claims to this day that’s the reason he wanted us to get together.”)
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