Nicky Hopkins | Britain's Number One Session Pianist
Вставка
- Опубліковано 22 вер 2021
- On September 1971, the British press wrote about Nicky Hopkins and spoke to him about his career as a session musician and the bands and artists he had worked with. This was an especially productive period in Nicky Hopkins' career. He had played piano on some tracks from the album "Who's Next" by The Who, he had also played on John Lennon's "Imagine" album and he was then working with the Stones on what would become one of their greatest records, "Exile On Main Street".
Plus, bonus info! Nicky Hopkins in 1967.
Hope you enjoy it
Nicky was a gentleman - a lovely, unassuming, sensitive man and the best pianist I've ever played with.
I had the pleasure to become an acquaintance of Nicky in the mid 70's. He was a very soft spoken, quiet person - not at all like you would expect a rock star to be like. One of the nicest people I ever knew. At the time I had no idea what an important musician he was. I am sure he is sorely missed by anyone who knew him.
not a star....vital sideman..scientologist if i recall....
Thank you for sharing.
@@kevinjoseph517He would have been a super star if his health had allowed it. He said scientology helped him kick drugs. 🎶💙🎶
Hopkin's piano playing on the Stones She's A Rainbow is spectacular. Just a beautiful piece.
Herr Mozart would have loved it.
@@brendankane3546 l would have too.Man could HE play.On those early Stones albums. Nicky Hopkins is Unbelievable.: Walter B. ✌🏽Not only With THE Rolling Stonesñ,ButNicky Hopkins was a Poet.May HE R.I.P.!!!
Jagger was smart enough to asking to Nicky and Taylor to play with the Stones, their best period.
Exactly what I was thinking. Rainbows ... epic.
Nicky Hopkins
Can’t imagine how great you must feel knowing that The Beatles, The Who, The Stones, Lennon, Harrison all wanted you on their songs.
Let's not forget Ringo and Paul......
I knew Nicky very well . He was a very sweet and funny man . He was never full of himself , very soft spoken and had a very dry sense of humour . Sadly he passed away many years ago . He will always be missed .
My beautiful friend. Always so "blessed normal" and enjoyable, honest and sincere. What a genius. So kind to me. Such a gentleman.
Nick hopkins fantastic musician , played with the stones , his intro on MONKEY MAN JUST MELTS ME ,,LOVED HIS MANY YEARS OF MUSIC 🎶
The piano is amazing.
"Time Waits For No One" with Mick Taylor. An instrumental outro for the ages. Like so many of our most brilliant artists, gone far too soon.
RIP Nick.
You won't hear anything better than what Nicky Hopkins did on the Jeff Beck Group's "Blues Deluxe". Phenomenal keyboardist.
*Mr. NICKY HOPKINS played with The Who, The Kinks, The Rolling Stones and a English band maybe you know... a band called, The Beatles.*
*Nicky plays to solist career of John Lennon, George Harrison, Cat Stevens, Harry Nilsson, Joe Cocker, Rod Stewart, Paul Mccartney and more...*
*And only few people knows that Nicky played in WOODSTOCK FESTIVAL!, with Jefferson Airplane.*
*THE BEST and GREATEST pianist of Rock and Roll, without a doubt !!!*
*Thanks for all, Mr.Hopkins* .
*You was a REAL and REALLY GREAT !!!*
There is some great footage of him in the " IMAGINE" documentary.
In one scene , Yoko tries to give him the sheet music she wrote and he walks right past her!😅
@@brucemarshall3446 Hahaha! That's awesome"
Nicky also played on The Cheerfull insanity of Giles, Giles & Fripp, proto King Crimson masterpiece.
Of course knew about Lennon and the others, but when did he play with McCartney? thanks in advance!
@@Tunz909 Paul does his own playing. He is quite adequate!
Look at his back catalogue, he played with everyone. One of the best session men in rock❤️🎹❤️
Yes he was and I got to see him on the Stones' Exile tour. What a band that was with Mick Taylor, Bobby Keys, and Jim Horn. The price of that ticket was US 6.50 and included opening act Stevie Wonder
.... and mirrors and big baloons ---
I saw that lineup in Australia, twice. They were awesome in every sense. Simply thrilling!
Whoa!!! $6.50 … 🤣😂what year was that???
@@SuperC888 1973--
@@SuperC888 I was a senior in high school, it was the Exile tour '71 or '72, not sure which
He did some live shows with Jerry Garcia in '75 and the two were fantastic going back and forth with leading the melodies pure magic
It's about time!
A bio on Nicky Hopkins!
I wish someone would write book on Hopkins and have a complete listing of all the various studio sessions he participated in.
What a gifted pianist and musician. Hopkins always new what to put into a song!
What a fascinating life!
REST IN PEACE ~
NICHOLAS CHRISTIAN "NICKY" HOPKINS.
His solid classic training gives him a very fine and effective style.
It exists a bio on Nicky - Julian Dawson: And on Piano ...Nicky Hopkins
If he had only played in Jelous guy and Angie, that would be enough to be remembered and celebrated. A true legend
I also believe he played the piano parts on "Crippled Inside"!!! These were thumping moving passages!! Loved them!!
Could not agree more the piano playing on both add so much to the recordings.
@@ronaldtant3196 They sure did. Excellent music. Walter B.
And Sympathy for the Devil.
I like his piano riff at the beginning of "We love you" by the Stones that was heard in late summer 1967
Nicky plays that same rhythm through the chords of the entire song. A Rhythm Piano Masterpiece.
“He’s a session man, a chord progression, a top musician” great, great video! Thanks.
He was so Unique as a player, A wonderful Blend of Classical, Gospel and Country , He just had that touch as a player that made him Unique and Irreplaceable ,no wonder so Many wanted him in on their sessions ,He was truly MAJESTIC as a player that’s what he brought to the Music of so many and why I Personally still love to hear his playing on all those Great Records.. God Bless Nicky Hopkins ❤️🌞⭐️🙌
My favorite piano session that Nicky plays on is a song called TIME WAITS FOR NO ONE by the Rolling Stones . Man Nicky's playing in that song would stirr my emotions 😢 when I was a baby listening to this song. ❤ rip Nicky Hopkins
Nicky was one of the most fantastic musician in all popular music history ...
"Rock & roll or folk group star, a philharmonic orchestra, everything comes the same to him. He is a session man, a chord progression, a top musician !" -Kinks
Nicky also worked with Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, and Keith Moon on the incredible instrumental, "Beck's Bolero."
Fantastic video. I am a Stones fan but never realized how important Nicky was for outstanding groups apart from the Stones. RS had also Ian Stewart on piano and he and Hopkins worked together even on stage. The Stones have been always very smart choosing they keyboardists, see Billy Preston or Chuck Leavell, both badass players. Pity that Nicky, Ian and Billy left us too soon.
They never mentioned his work with the Jerry Garcia Band. That is my favorite work of his as far as I'm concerned. Edward's mad shirt grinder is my favorite song. I always liked hearing Nicky's piano work combined with Jerry's guitar work. So awesome!
Can you direct me to your fav Jerry shows with Nicky on keys ?
"They haven't got hang-ups like some people have" The Who really are a wonderful rock band. I love the "My Generation" album 🎸
Nicky Hopkins' work with Quicksilver Messenger Service is outstanding! I've always loved Edward the Mad Shirt Grinder and he absolutely kills it on all the QMS live releases I've heard from his brief tenure in the band. I wish Cipollina and Hopkins could have done more together, because they blended so well. Alas, he joined them right before their downward spiral and didn't deign to stay when Dino Valente began squeezing the band dry.
I loved Edward the Mad Shirt Grinder with Quicksilver. Can you explain the comment about Dino Valente?
@@ExplodingPsyche :| he really didnt respond
@@rafael16759 I know. It would have been nice to get an answer to that.
@@ExplodingPsyche According to Joel Selvin's portrayal of Dino in his book the Summer of Love, Valente ran QMS about as democratically as Hitler ran Germany.
@@markhunter8554 Thanks. Wasn't aware of that. Guess he wasn't as cool as he made himself out to be.
As Mr PorkBelly says below, the Stones ‘72 line up was outstanding! I saw them in Charlotte for the same $6.50. Hanging on everything there was to see and hear, they had always been my Favorite band. Plus, Exile had been out for several weeks as a preview of the show. I found a bootleg CD of the Charlotte concert , and my recollections of Mick’s few comments and of the band intros were verified. Nicky Hopkins’ touch on the songs he graced always was a great artistic contribution. I am honored to have seen him on that stage in Charlotte in ‘72. Life has been good to me.
Would have loved to have seen that .But l did get to See them,FOR the first time in 1975 Memphis.Know the show You saw was Fantastic. Exile.Maybe my favorite album of all.But then they were cranking out some Awesome music at that time. Walter B. ✌🏽
@@annbugbee5623 Glad to hear that you saw back then. Great anytime. Rock on!
I was at that Charlotte concert too! Remember at the end of the concert when Jagger had that large container of rose petals and tossed them to the audience? I was close enough to the stage in front to catch one! My favorite Stones’ album is still “Exile on Main Street”.
@@deirdre108 Right on, Bro!!
Just happened to miss his playing on Beatles' "Revolution"?
I will needlessly point out, the guy was a brilliant session pianist during this zeitgeist era of Music.
Always looked forward to what Nicky & Leon Russell would do on various albums.
🥂To Nicky!
Great stuff. One of those musicians you've heard all over the place but never got the wider public recognition they deserved. As I read it, he suffered financially because none of that session work earned royalties, even though his piano is heard on evergreen hits still popular today, while his tragic early death was due to Crohn's disease. Interested to hear more about other "behind the scenes" characters.
The guy was pure genius!
I miss his piano. He had such a fluid and twinkling style. He made everything he played on better. Listen to his solo on "No Expectations" (Rolling Stones Beggars Banquet). "Our love was like our music; it's here and then, it's gone."
I agree. Definitely an amazing piano player with a very recognizable style. The solo from No Expectations that you mentioned is a good example of his greatness as a musician.
@@YesterdaysPapers Mozart and Jerry Lee Lewis plus Fats Domino = Nicky Hopkins
The last 60 seconds of "No Expectations" with Nicky's "twinkling" piano and Brian Jones' mournful slide guitar can bring me to tears sometimes. Its as if they both identified with the sad lyrics of men who had "no expectations" of long lives on this earth.
@@falcon5467 his brief jam with Mick Taylor
on " Time Waits for No One" is spectacular.
Would love to hear a mx with his piano turned up in volume
I love his piano on the The Kinks Mr Pleasant. I think he was responsible for the wonderful Berkeley Mews as well.
I stood about 6 feet from him when he played with Steve Miller Band at UH in Honolulu. 1969 or 70, a little fuzzy on time back then.
The Beatles, Revolution
Some time during all this activity in 1971, Nicky fitted in some sessions with McGuinness Flint as they made their second album Happy Birthday Ruthy Baby. His contributions can be heard all over the record, with a particularly stand-out solo on the title track. And McG-F's 1996 compilation CD The Capitol Years is dedicated to Nicky's memory - a mark of the esteem in which he was held.
Fantastic , many thanks. , Nicky - sorely missed.
somehow you know it's Nicky as soon as he hits a C note-he had that Steinway-Floyd Kramer sound,lovely chord inversions too.Gone too soon
Informative and very well put!
The chord inversions on " Song Is Over" are brilliant!
This is wonderful, thanks!
I’m in the middle of reading his biography “… and on piano, Nicky Hopkins” by Julian Dawson, and this fills in some gaps.
What a career in a short life.
Great book!
It's disappointing to read about cheapskates like Ray Davies who would not pay his sideman. What a jerk.
Great topic, Hopkins surely deserves some light, he’s been on so much historical pieces of music and albums 😃
Hugely talented pianist. Fabulous work on the Steve Miller Band's "Baby's House".
Baby’s House is absolutely one of my favorite songs by Nicky Hopkins. Steve Miller Band Anthology, Nicky’s influence was outstanding. I’ve looked up everything he has played on. Sadly we lost Nicky too soon to Crohn’s disease at only 50 years old. Thankfully there’s an excellent autobiography and the hundreds of recordings that Nicky played on with every major talent of the 60’s thru the 80’s.
Nicky has a songwriting credit on Baby's House.
This deserves more views.
Love these Session Men features. Would love to see more. 👍😍
Nicky is one of the most underrated figures of the British invasion. Its a shame how few people have heard of him given that everyones heard his music
Underrated? It's actually the opposite......He's like the number one session pianist in the world , everybody wants him on their albums. How is he underrated
@@tommyhaynes9157 I meant underrated as a musician overall, he contributed as much or more to albums than many official members of the bands he sessioned for. If you were to add up everything he contributed overall musiclly, it would far outweigh the accomplishments of many "mainstream" musicians of the time.
@@benwilkins6208 Unheralded may be more accurate.
For example:
Despite the fact that he's in every recording studio scene, he gets no credit for the Godard film " One Plus One".
He maybe should have gotten a ' Musical Director' credit for TOMMY... many examples
@@brucemarshall3446 Not getting enough recognition is different ....similar but different. The musical community rated him very highly. But perhaps this is just semantics
People often misuse the word “underrated” When they actually mean “unheralded “ or “uncredited” In this video in Nicky’s own words he didn’t get a credit on the Who album.
Thank you for sharing 😊 awesome 👍 legendary top 🔥
this is quickly becoming my new fave channel
Hopkins did a session on The Pretty Things' amazing "Midnight To Six Man" also. Instantly recognisable .
That's a great #Video about #NickyHopkins 👏👏👏
Why Nicky Hopkins isn't in the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame is a real puzzler. He should be entered in the "Side Men" category.
it took the persuasion of none other than Sir Elton John to have them get Leon Russell into the RHOF and he was more than a session man.
Why isn't Nicky Hopkins in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
I remember buying his album 'The Tin Man was a Dreamer' ....favorite track: "Waiting for the band"
It’s funny, I’m a fan and subscriber of this channel and recently discovered his “Tin Man…” album. Thought I’d do some research on the web and this wonderful video came up!
Very talented man
Fabulous montage of words and images. Thank you!
Such a genius what a tragedy he died so young.
Absolutely amazing
Thank you!!!
YP -- your videos are very concise and informative. Many thanks and keep up the great work! Nicky was (is) stellar! I really appreciated Nicky's lilting Classical/Jazz-infused piano playing on "Fresh Air" (Quicksilver Messenger Service).
WOW 01:30 The Who at Anaheim Stadium, California in June 1970. Great footage, lads. This channel is really something special
Great musician. And he actually made the Jefferson Airplane sound like a real band.
And Quicksilver Messenger Service
Hey! I like Jefferson Airplane! But I'll agree that Nicky was a great musician.
Great work!
It was 1968 when I was invited by the guitarist of a band I played in to go to a Jeff Beck concert at the Fillmore East. I knew Jeff Beck from the Yardbirds, so I jumped on the idea. Nicky Hopkins I never heard of before. I will never forget that concert. Amazing sound. Mick Waller on drums. Ron Wood on bass.... And, some amateur by the name of Rod Stewart singing his heart out...
That must have been amazing. I love those two Jeff Beck Group albums. What a band!
He banged that ol' piano on Getting In Tune. I love that song
Again, Great videos with top content. Thank you!! Very glad I found your channel!! H
Thanks!
Ótimo vídeo congratulações
Always considered Hopkins a Rolling Stone !
These people where so awesome...the scene was so COOL.
Master piano, thank you, good time for you.
Siempre he amado su trabajo, con Steve Miller band en aquel glorioso álbum Brave New World también
Young man, you just forget jefferson airplane, quicksilver messenger service etc.. Fantastic contribution
Loved seeing the sheet of Irving Berlin’s “What’ll I Do” on Nicky’s piano.
Great story on a Great Piano Man 👍
Anybody that was on that Jackie Lomax album, "Is This What You Want?" is OK in my book. Most people have never heard it but it's really a pretty amazing album. I think George wrote, "Sour Milk Sea."
It is a great record and George did write Sour Milk Sea.
Yes, George wrote that one. There's a Beatles bootleg on You Tube. That whole album is really good. I heard tracks on underground radio when it came out. Nicky's first solo album is really good too.🙏😷🎶🎵❗👀
Thanks for the tip!.
I'm going to check it out from my library😊
Songs like 'Angie', 'Jealous Guy', 'You're So Beautiful' and 'Give Me Love' wouldn't be as great without Nicky Hopkins piano.
His work with Sweet Thursday, I loved that album
I love his playing with The Move, especially on the extended version of "Something".
Respect for this guy, from me, who is a very amateur keyboard player. He passed away at 50 years of age, or thereabouts. So sad. Going on 69, I think I would NOT trade my life for his (“just sayin’ “ , as they say)
Hopkins even played on the Jayhawks first album
Edward the Mad Shirt Grinder-Nicky with Quicksilver Messenger Service (amazing piano).
Now this is the second time ive clicked this channel......subd
Nicki hopkins n Billy preston..and Bobby keys..are tge u talked snout savoirs of some of the 60s bands. Nicky..playing on some of the.. stones iconic sings.
The who..John Lennon. Ect. Should do a documentary about Nicky life..my personal favorite of nickys..
Shes like a 🌈 rainbow..rolling stones.
It would be nice to see…..a documentary.
Good old Hoppy Nipkins, bloody ubiquitous....
what, there's no mention of his playing for the beatles? the stones' best period was 1968-1971 when nicky and bobby keys were frequently featured on their ablums. "let it bleed," "sticky fingers" and "exile on main street" were among the best trifecta of album releases in r&r history.
but i never knew what hopkins or keys even looked like. was always curious about their histories. thanks for the video.
He’s the number one indeed!
A musical hero of mine.
I used to play his solos from " She's A RAINBOW", " Christmas" ( from TOMMY) and " Song is Over" ( very difficult!).
Saw him backing up Leo Sayer!
One of a kind!
Hopkins was ubiquitious to the music community for over a decade and left his latent fingerprint on some of the most timeless grooves of the era.
It doesn't mention it in this short spot, but all those stomach surgeries that he had--I believe that he suffered from Crone's disease, which made it difficult for him to commit to touring as a regular member of a band.
He had lifelong health problems.
At the height of ''Swinging London' e spent a year in bed!😞
Yes, it was Chron's disease. He died from complications related to his illness. He was only 50.
He looked the classical image of a nineteenth-century consumptive - those huge staring eyes in a too-skinny face. Something was clearly not as it should have been, and evidently wasn't.
Beautiful! Which instrumental song with organ and piano is in background of the documentary?
Played wonderfully on Baby's House by the Steve Miller Band.
Nicky passed in September 1994.
Nicky is my ' No.1' keyboardist of all time !!
I'am a life long Musician from the 60's &70's+,,,, & have listened & played to pretty much every keyboardist from those era's, that Bands they played with,, were worth a $#it.
Listened to the ''Tommy'' movie soundtrack this eve.,, & there is no mention of him ,, or the late ''Iconic'' - Dee Murray either,, which really pisses me off !! 😡
''John Paul Jones'' is another one.
Those Cats carried it ,, & never got recognized,, & they were ,,, & are,,, - Musicians Musicians. 😉
Lastly,,
Imagine if those 3 could of got together ... ''Wow'' !!!
Ian
Nicky played electric piano on The Beatles REVOLUTION the fast version that was the B side of the HEY JUDE single, the basic track had been recorded and Nicky overdubbed his electric piano part --
Giant of keys!
He's all over stone albums...but didn't know he had all that under his belt
Yes 👍 Hopkins and Blue Weaver,is the very best.
I used to say , if I could be one musician in history it would be NH.
Imagine playing with all those great bands!
But, then I read about his terrible health problems .
Wouldn't have wanted to suffer like that poor bloke😞
Despite what he’d said about the San Francisco/N. CA scene, Nicky did end up playing in the Jerry Garcia Band, and did some great work with them.
thanks for the video, most interesting! i knew of Nicky from Sympathy for the Devil and was very impressed!
Did I hear narrator claim ‘anyway anywhere ‘ was the first Who single ? If so this is not the case
Whats is the stones footage from starting at 3:20? Thanks! One of my absolute favorite musicians!
Nicky Hopkins. Simply the story of the music🤠