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Nicky Hopkins may not be a household name to the average music fan around the world. Nonetheless, the man’s brilliant piano playing can be found on so many classic rock and roll recordings that all music fans have heard throughout their lives. Nicky Hopkins has played on countless classic rock recordings released by some of the genres biggest acts. His journey to the rock and roll recording studio began in 1947 when at the age of three he began playing piano. At the age of sixteen Nicky Hopkins dropped out of school and turned pro. Eventually Nicky Hopkins would become on of the most sought out session players during the 1960s and 70’s 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. Throughout his career Nicky Hopkins performed on many songs by The Who, The Kinks and even The Beatles. 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 certain 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 did join the Jeff Beck Group and also The Qucksilver 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 behind a legacy of classic rock recordings. Those songs have become ingrained in the soundtrack of our own lives. There are so many great Nicky Hopkins performances that we could list 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 album entitled Son of Schmilsson
. 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 of “Wooden Ships,”was released in 1969. Nicky Hopkins’ piano playing is both haunting and mesmerizing on this great David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Paul Kanter song.
# 7 – You’re Sixteen
Ringo Starr’s “You’re Sixteen,” was released in 1973. Nick Hopkins’ opening piano trills and groove set the pace for another huge hit.
# 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.
# 5 – Sunny Afternoon
Straight ahead groove, but it is oh so classic. This great Kinks song was released in 1966.
# 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 – Street Fighting Man
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.
10 Nicky Hopkins Classic Recordings From The Stones To The Beatles article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2023
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![Rob De Luca of Spread Eagle, Sebastian Bach & UFO: 10 Albums That Changed My Life From humble East Coast origins to grandest stages worldwide, veteran bassist Rob De Luca has seen and done it all. De Luca first hit the local Boston rock and metal scene in the late 80s after meeting guitarist Paul DiBartolo, bonding over Van Halen before forming Bang. Regional success came quickly, but eventually, the members of Bang went their separate ways, with De Luca and drummer Tommi Gallo heading to NYC and hooking up with Ray West and, later, DiBartolo to form Spread Eagle. By 1990, Spread Eagle was on the fast track, with a contract through MCA Records and a self-titled debut album poised to crush skulls. But poor timing and MCA's sad indifference left Spead Eagle out in the cold despite being a hard-boiled answer to Guns N' Roses's West Coast sleaze. Spread Eagle's first chapter came to an end in '95. As for Rob De Luca, his nimble fingers and gift for melody and songwriting kept him moving forward. Soon, he found a gig with former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach and the legendary outfit UFO. And in 2010, after coupling up with Ray West and his cousin Rik De Luca, Spread Eagle retook flight. During a break from Spread Eagle's increasingly busy touring schedule, Rob De Luca dialed in with ClassicRockHistory.com to run through the ten albums that changed his life. But only after adding, "I made a playlist of these songs, including some I've written or co-written. Do you hear any of these albums' influence on me?" Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3LWJuhDrE8JmzhsmTeIDUq 10) Gentlemen by Afghan Whigs (1993) Here's an entry that was so important to me. This may be the darkest break-up album of all time. Greg Dulli has been in many projects, but I feel Gentlemen is his zenith. Somewhat undefinable at times but always profound and honest. Listen to "Gentlemen," "Fountain and Fairfax," and "What Jail Is Like." 9) In on the Kill Taker by Fugazi (1993) By this time, I had been sucked in and spit out by the major-label record industry. Glam came and went; grunge was history, too. I was searching for new sounds. When I heard Fugazi's twin guitar approach, I knew this was what was missing. Fugazi may be considered a less polished sound than the albums above; however, once you "get it," it hits you like a ton of bricks, and there's no going back. From the moment I heard Fugazi, I went to every NYC show after. It's easily some of the best concerts of my life, and possibly my favorite bassist in Joe Lally. And their DIY ethics refused to charge us more than $5 a show! In on the Kill Taker is a powerful album demonstrated in songs such as "Smallpox Champion," "Great Cop," and "Public Witness Program." 8) Appetite for Destruction by Guns N' Roses (1987) I discovered many of these albums (sometimes long) after they were released. However, I was at the right place at the right time for this one. Steve Ostromogilsky had a Berklee College of Music lunch card and used to sneak out sandwiches for me. One day, he invited me to hang out at his place and listen to music. As we got off the train, he put Sony Walkman headphones on my ears and said, "Hey, check out this brand-new group." A song like "It's So Easy" was so different from the popular Sunset Strip sound at that time. Me and about 499 other informed rockers were lucky enough to see them on their first East Coast tour at the sold-out Paradise on Commonwealth Avenue, Boston (the same street Aerosmith started on). I saw Gn'R every tour after until I took a break when Buckethead joined. Gn'R is the band I've been lucky enough to see the most times live, almost 100! Everyone on this album is just stellar. Axl [Rose] had the tones, power, melodic sensibilities, and foresight to do what no other singer did then. Slash's playing was beyond memorable. Duff [McKagan] is one of the most underrated bassists in rock history, and learning his Appetite basslines is a masterclass. Steven [Adler] had the natural swing, and Izzy [Stradlin] was the secret weapon songwriter. Everything that's been heralded about this gem is deserved and true. Check out "It's So Easy," "Out Ta Get Me," and "Mr. Brownstone.' 7) Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd (1975) Another contender for my favorite album and band of all time. Using The Beatles machine (same recording studio, engineer, record label), Pink Floyd made what I feel is their strongest, most cohesive album (my second favorite of theirs would be Animals). This list mainly consists of bands with an instantly recognizable sound. Floyd is certainly no exception to that! This album included a solid handful of undeniable rock radio classics, bookended by two halves of the mind-blowing song "Shine on You Crazy Diamond.' That song was written about former band member and founder Syd Barrett. It would be hard to live in a world without this album. Check out "Welcome to The Machine," "Shine on You Crazy Diamond (parts 6-9),' or even better yet, listen to the whole thing in one sitting! 6) Decade by Neil Young (1977) About this time, I started playing guitar. As a beginner, it was comfortable jamming to this album because the chord changes were simple—a great "first ten years" retrospective of Neil's stunning, unique songwriting. Neil is a treasure who always writes from the heart and stands up for what's right. Check out "Southern Man," "A Man Needs a Maid," "Down by The River," and "After the Goldrush." 5) Highway to Hell by AC/DC (1979) When I heard this album, I was firmly "me." My life would be 100% focused on hard rock music forever. AC/DC are like air; they're ubiquitous. Everyone knows them and their incredible songs. However, as a young teen in Wilmington, Delaware, I only had WMMR 93.3 FM Philadelphia and a few friends to inform me about the world of Rock outside my bedroom. AC/DC had not gone mainstream, and their albums were available primarily in the USA as imports. To put things more in perspective, I only knew two people in the world who had heard of AC/DC. A friend had an import that we played in Steve Buckley's basement, which sounded ripping. When Highway to Hell was released, WMMR started spinning the title track, and I immediately bought the album, listening to it every single day after school. Then WMMR announced AC/DC was coming to the Spectrum in Philly, supporting Ted Nugent! I liked Ted but loved AC/DC, so my good friend Mick Cummins and I bought tickets, and he drove us up to the Spectrum (where we saw most of our concerts). Bon Scott was in fine form, and the band went over great. Although the crowd knew Ted better, Angus [Young] wouldn't let anyone upstage him. I'll never forget it! Unfortunately, Bon would be gone in 6 months. Check out "Walk All Over You," "Touch Too Much," "Shot Down in Flames," and "If You Want Blood (You Got It)." 4) Toys in the Attic by Aerosmith (1975) By the time I heard this, I was now in my teens. I had a childhood friend up the street, Jim Linberg (we're still good buddies). His older sister had a great album collection, including Toys in The Attic. Once I heard that groove, my taste changed. I lost interest in rock music that didn't have some sort of "swing" feel to it. I think Rocks is a slightly better Aerosmith album (and possibly my favorite album of all time), but both are perfect or very close. Check out "Uncle Salty," "Adam's Apple," "No More No More," "Round and Round," and "You See Me Crying." 3) Alive! by Kiss (1975) When I was still a little kid, I asked for Cheech and Chong's Up in Smoke album for Christmas. The entire family came over for an enormous feast, and I dropped the needle. When my mother heard the content, she turned off the album and said I had to exchange it. My mom was cool, but I was young and knew much more about life than she suspected. Anyway, the next day, she drove me back to the store. In the music section, promoted on an "endcap" was a Kiss Alive! display. I had never heard of Kiss, but that cover picture told me I had to have it! My first foray into hard rock. Check out “Strutter.” I went through my Kiss phase very quickly, I believe in a matter of months because I discovered the previous entry, Aerosmith's Toys in the Attic. 2) Honky Chateau by Elton John (1972) When I was a wee lad, my parents bought a used Volkswagen camper van from my uncle Ozzie. My favorite Elton John album is Yellow Brick Road, but Honky Chateau is great and easily one of his best. It sent me down a lifelong rabbit hole of loving everything about the 1970s partnership between Elton and lyricist Bernie Taupin. The simple beauty of voice, the master songwriting, the perfect backing band, the clear, unobtrusive recordings, and always Bernie's incredible lyrics. The day this album was released, Elton became an unstoppable force that conquered the music industry. Check out "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" and "Rocket Man." 1) Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles (1967) Another tape that was included in the VW Camper. The van had a bunch of music tapes, and one was Sgt Pepper. I was too young to understand the sophistication of the music, but that was one of the many skills of The Beatles. They attracted listeners at every level, even little kids. I still feel that immediate connection to Sgt Pepper; now, I hear so much more. It's an album that changed the world and the world of music. Check out "Lucy in The Sky with Diamonds," "A Day In The Life," and "Fixing a Hole."](http://www.classicrockhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Shutterstock_1815495569-1-300x200.jpg)
#1
Wrong song