Jimmy Miller: The Rolling Stones' Unofficial Sixth Member and the Drumbeat That Defined 'You Can't Always Get What You Want'

The most famous drum fill in Rolling Stones history—the booming, gospel-tinged intro to “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”—wasn’t played by Charlie Watts. It was Jimmy Miller, the band’s producer, who sat behind the kit for that track. Miller wasn’t a professional drummer, but his loose, instinctive feel gave the song its off-kilter swagger, and he ended up playing on at least a dozen Stones recordings between 1968 and 1973.

Miller took over production from Andrew Loog Oldham at a pivotal moment. The Stones were shedding their pop image and leaning into rootsier, messier territory. On Beggars Banquet, he pushed for the raw acoustic-blues sound of “Sympathy for the Devil” and “Street Fighting Man.” For Let It Bleed, he encouraged the band to experiment with gospel, country, and even steel guitar. His hands-on approach extended beyond the control room—he’d jump in on tambourine, maracas, or drums whenever the take needed a different pocket. That willingness to get dirty in the groove helped define the band’s sound from the Beggars Banquet sessions through Goats Head Soup, until drug issues and burnout ended his run.