The Rolling Stones

irocku / February 25, 2020

Rare Nicky Hopkins video laying down tracks for “Sympathy for the Devil”

IROCKU’s featured lesson is “Sympathy for the Devil” by the Rolling Stones. Here is an incredibly rare clip of Nicky Hopkins recording the original piano track on “Sympathy for the Devil”. "Sympathy for the Devil" Piano Lesson Nicky Hopkins is hands-down one of the most influential pianists in rock history. He was the Thomas Edison of rock piano generating endless innovations in rock piano style and technique. The rhythm on “Sympathy for the Devil” is one of his most recognized and the original recording was remarkably captured in this 1968 video. This video provides a one minute window into rock history. Loop it until the rhythm is firmly ingrained in your mind. Hopkin’s rhythm is solid, strong, and driving yet his wrists are relaxed and bounce lightly on the keys while each finger …

irocku / August 14, 2019

Billboard Article: Rolling Stones’ Musical Director Chuck Leavell Covers ‘Tumbling Dice’: Video Premiere

Here's an article from Billboard, Aug 13, 2019: "As the longtime music director for the Rolling Stones -- not to mention his tenures with the Allman Brothers Band, Sea Level, Eric Clapton, David Gilmour, John Mayer and others -- Chuck Leavell has full rights to take on the group's catalog in his own fashion. So, not surprisingly, his brassy take on "Tumbling Dice" with the Frankfurt Radio Big Band, whose video is premiering below from the keyboardist's just released new album Chuck Gets Big, is something different than what we're used to hearing him do with his "British brethren." This (album) is really a celebration of the career," Leavell tells Billboard, "so of course there's something from the Allman Brothers, something from Sea Level, something from the Stones, instrumentals …

irocku / August 13, 2019

WSJ Article: Chuck Leavell Remains the Calm Center of the Rolling Stones

Here's a great interview from the Wall Street Journal, Aug 9, 2019: One of the greatest pianists in rock ’n’ roll history divides his energy between music and farming "Chuck Leavell is the calm in the eye of the Rolling Stones’ crossfire hurricane. Throughout the band’s current 17-show “No Filter” tour of American stadiums, you’ll find the keyboardist center-stage, within eyeshot of every member of the 11-person group. He’s the guy they look toward to steady the ship if they feel a song wobbling or need a reminder or a cue. While the 76-year-old Mick Jagger rooster-struts across the giant stage, showing no signs of his recent heart surgery, Keith Richards and Ron Wood peel off the loud, raunchy guitar riffs that have defined the band’s music for 55 years, and Charlie Watts …

URock / April 23, 2019

Rolling Stones Piano Lesson – “Let it Bleed”

The IROCKU featured lesson is "Let it Bleed" by The Rolling Stones. Click below for the piano lesson and sheet music. "Let it Bleed" piano lesson The keyboard on the original “Let it Bleed” recording was played by Stones’ co-founder, and Chuck’s boogie woogie mentor, Ian Stewart. It seamlessly combines rock, blues, boogie woogie, and New Orleans funk into a potpourri of rock rhythms. This is one of those lessons that once you master you’ll be able to use the techniques everywhere. The song has two Ian Stewart inspired boogie grooves that are a treat to improvise over. The right-hand includes blues licks using parallel sixths, I-IV-I chord riffs which contribute to the song’s gospel feel, passing diminished chords, and a syncopated sixteenth-note pattern that is signature Stones. It’s …

rocknthe88s / November 26, 2018

The Rolling Stones’ Piano Players

Beginning back in 1963, for the first six years of their touring career, the Rolling Stones didn’t have a dedicated touring keyboardist. Founding member and keyboardist, Ian Stewart, was relegated to road manager because he didn’t ‘look the part’. For these early tours, Rolling Stones’ founder and guitarist, Brian Jones, sat in on the piano when the song called for it. After Jones’s accidental drowning in 1969, Ian Stewart was brought back onto the stage to play the rockers- such as “Honky Tonk Women” and “It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll”. But Stewart refused to play ballads or any songs in minor keys. He was a blues rock and boogie woogie purist. From 1971 through 1973, English pianist extraordinaire, Nicky Hopkins, toured with the Stones to fill in on the songs that Stewart turned down. But …

rocknthe88s / November 21, 2018

The Rolling Stones Announce 2019 US Tour

The Rolling Stones announced their 2019 US Stadium tour. By our count this is their 48th tour since the first British Tour in 1963. Do the math. That’s 48 tours in 55 years!!! Incredibly, there is not one song overlap between their first ever set list from the 1963 British Tour to their most recent set list from the 2018 No Filter Tour. Their first set list was filled with covers such as rhythm and blues standard “Route 66” written by Bobby Troup and “Roll Over Beethoven” written by Chuck Berry. Their 2018 set list included a few blues covers from their “Blue and Lonesome” album but mostly Rolling Stones’ originals, many from their most prolific song writing period 1965 through 1974. The ten-year period from 1965 through 1974 was an historic writing period in music history. …

irocku / March 28, 2018

Documentary on Chuck Leavell- Rolling Stones Keyboardist & Musical Director

Allen Farst, acclaimed director, filmmaker and producer is currently working on a documentary about Chuck. The film will feature President Jimmy Carter, John Mayer, David Gilmour, Eric Clapton, Bruce Hornsby, Warren Haynes, The Stones and other notable musicians and dignitaries. Allen is considering including a few video testimonials from Chuck's fans. If you have something cool and interesting to say about how Chuck or irocku has influenced your life, or your piano playing, please contact us at documentary@irocku.com. No guarantees you'll make it into the documentary but it's worth a shot. Learn how to play rock and blues piano from one of rock’s greatest. Chuck Leavell, legendary keyboardist for The Rolling Stones, The Allman Bros, Eric Clapton, John Mayer, and more. Join Now and …

irocku / March 2, 2018

Charlie Watts – a Drummer and a Gentleman

Here's an interview with Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts- a drummer and a gentleman. Charlie talks about the upcoming tour, the future of the Stones, how he has stayed married for 45 years, and why he never had any desire to live the life of a rockstar. Although he does have a collection antique cars yet doesn't drive! Learn how to play rock and blues piano from one of rock’s greatest. Chuck Leavell, legendary keyboardist for The Rolling Stones, The Allman Bros, Eric Clapton, John Mayer, and more. Join Now and SAVE!!! …

irocku / March 2, 2018

The Rolling Stones UK, IRE and EU No Filter Tour Announced

The Rolling Stones are bringing the No Filter tour to the UK and Ireland this summer, with some additional European shows! Click here for more info. Learn how to play rock and blues piano from one of rock’s greatest. Chuck Leavell, legendary keyboardist for The Rolling Stones, The Allman Bros, Eric Clapton, John Mayer, and more. Join Now and SAVE!!! …

irocku / January 18, 2018

Rolling Stones’ pianist, Ian Stewart, is inducted into Scottish hall of fame.

Stewart, who was born in Pittenweem, Fife, and died aged 47 of a heart attack in 1985, joined the group in 1962, before either Jagger or Richards. He was removed from the official line-up the following year, but remained with the band as a session musician and tour manager until his death. Jagger said: “The thing about him was that I don’t think the Rolling Stones would ever have got going if it hadn’t been for him. He was a great player.” Richards said: “The Rolling Stones are only here because of Ian Stewart. He hooked up with Brian Jones and then Mick and I sort of waltzed in and then suddenly it became the Rolling Stones. His love of music, his choice of the guys to play with, was legendary.” Stewart is currently 10th on our list of top rock piano players. Who is your favorite …

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The Rolling Stones