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Nicky Hopkins may not be a household name to the average music fan worldwide. Nonetheless, the man’s brilliant piano playing can be found on many classic rock and roll recordings that all music fans have heard. Nicky Hopkins has played on countless classic rock recordings released by some of the genre’s biggest acts. His journey to the rock and roll recording studio began in 1947 when he began playing piano at the age of three. At sixteen, Nicky Hopkins dropped out of school and turned pro. Eventually, Nicky Hopkins would become one of the most sought-after session players during the 1960s and 70s classic rock era.
Nicky Hopkins’ career would showcase an incredible run with The Rolling Stones and the recording studio. Nicky Hopkins, along with Billy Preston and Ian Stewart, would play piano on many of the most famous Rolling Stones songs ever released. Nicky Hopkins would spend eight years with The Rolling Stones in the studio from 1967 to 1975. However, The Rolling Stones were not the only famous band that Nicky Hopkins played for. Nicky Hopkins performed on many songs by The Who, The Kinks, and even The Beatles throughout his career. Nicky Hopkins would also play piano on many tracks recorded by Carly Simon, Harry Nilsson, Joe Cocker, Peter Frampton, Rod Stewart, Graham Parker, Badfinger, Joe Walsh, New Riders of the Purple Sage and all four Beatles during their solo careers.
Throughout his life, Nicky Hopkins had to deal with specific medical issues that limited his ability to tour with bands. Those medical issues kept him in the studio and away from the rigors of the road. In the late 1960s, Nicky Hopkins joined the Jeff Beck Group and The Quicksilver Messenger Service band.
Nicky Hopkins’ medical issues would eventually end his life. Nicky Hopkins died at the young age of 50 years old. The brilliant rock and roll pianist left a legacy of classic rock recordings. Those songs have become ingrained in the soundtrack of our own lives. We could list many great Nicky Hopkins performances here, but space has limited us to just choosing 10. We think the ten we have chosen will blow you away.
# 10 – At My Front Door
Harry Nilsson’s “At My Front Door” was released on the Son of Schmilsson album. The album was released in 1972. Great piano solo by Nicky Hopkins at 1.50
# 9 – Jealous Guy
John Lennon’s “Jealous Guy” featured that classic Nicky Hopkins piano intro that set the tone for this incredible song. Now you know what we are talking about. Nicky Hopkins’ piano performance resonated throughout the entire song. Released on the Imagine
album in 1971.
# 8 – Wooden Ships
The Jefferson Airplane’s song “Wooden Ships” was released in 1969. Nicky Hopkins’ piano playing is both haunting and mesmerizing on this great David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Paul Kanter song.
# 7 – You’re Sixteen
Ringo Starr’s “You’re Sixteen” was released in 1974. Nick Hopkins’ opening piano trills and groove set the pace for another huge hit. The song was placed on the Ringo album. An all-star cast of musicians joined Ringo Starr on this album, including his ex-bandmate from the Beatles, Sir Paul McCartney.
# 6 – The Song Is Over
Are you starting to hear how great Nicky was and how you never knew it was him on all these classic tracks? The piano on this Who song is so iconic, and it’s all Nicky Hopkins. “The Song Is Over,” was released on the Who’s album entitled Who’s Next. The album was released in 1973.
# 5 – Sunny Afternoon
This great Kinks song was released in 1966. It was written by Ray Davies. It would be placed on the Face Top Face album. “Sunny Afternoon,” was a massive hit in the United Kingdom, reaching all the way up to number one on the UK Music Charts. Nicky Hopkins’ piano is in the background in the mix, but his steady comping plays a significant riels in the song’s feel.
# 4 – Give Me Love
Nicky Hopkins’ piano comes in at about a minute and elevates this legendary song to an even higher plane. Released on George Harrison’s Living In The Material World
album in 1973.
# 3 – Revolution
Not many people besides John, Paul, George, or Ringo got to perform in the studio with The fab four. Nicky Hopkins did. How could we leave this one out? If there was anyone that had an insight into the most incredible musicians and artists of the 1960s and 1970s it was Nicky Hopkins.
# 2 – Fool To Cry
Nicky Hopkins’ piano playing on this heartfelt Rolling Stones ballad was so incredibly beautiful we could not help but place it so close to the top spot on this Nicky Hopkins Classic Recordings list.
# 1 – Tie – Street Fighting Man & Sympathy For The Devil
Nicky Hopkins played on so many great songs, but The Rolling Stone’s “Street Fighting Man,” was his most legendary performance. Nicky Hopkins’ piano playing was the heartbeat of this most loved Rolling Stones song. All the way through, Nicky drove this one all the way home. Of course, the same went for his stunning piano lick that can be heard throughout the entire Sympathy For The Devil song.
10 Nicky Hopkins Classic Recordings From The Stones To The Beatles article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2023
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#1
Wrong song
Baby’s House – Steve Miller Band
Edward, the Mad Shirt Grinder, Quicksilver Messenger Service. Hands down Nicky’s best song.
I couldn’t agree more! It’s such a shame practically no one knows this song . I can remember when my dad bought this album (Shady Grove) when it first came out. I was 10 years old and a little young to appreciate Quicksilver but i fell in love this album and that song was a big reason why.
No Ruby Tuesday???
I meant no She’s Like a Rainbow????
There are so many great ones
Jamming with Edward. Nicky’s solo album from very early 70s with pals from the Stones, Ry Cooder and others. FEATURING cover art by Nicky Hopkins himself.
Loved him in all Stones songs he played on
RIP Nicky