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 …
[Read more...] about Rolling Stones’ pianist, Ian Stewart, is inducted into Scottish hall of fame.