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rocknthe88s / May 14, 2018

New IROCKU Essentials Series!!! – “Chuck Leavell’s Stride Blues”

"Chuck Leavell's Stride Blues" piano lesson This multi-part video series covers both right and left hand piano techniques that Chuck has used throughout his career. If you want to learn the fundamentals behind Chuck’s epic performances ranging from “Jessica” ( Allman Brothers) to “Honky Tonk Women” ( The Rolling Stones”) and everything in between, this series is the place to begin. The series covers left-hand stride and walking bass lines, and right-hand scales, chords and patterns based on blues, minor, major and pentatonic scales. All are fundamental elements of Chuck’s legendary style. The series begins with an overview of the 8- bar blues form used in the recording, “The Blues is All Wrong”. The first half of the series teaches left-hand stride techniques and introduces elements …

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 22, 2018

IROCKU Featured Piano Lesson- “Such a Night” by Dr. John

The featured irocku piano lesson takes you for a frolicking journey down the Mississippi River with a New Orleans legend, Mac Rebennack, a.k.a. Dr. John. From his best selling 1973 album, Right Place, Wrong Time, “Such a Night” is a funky, light and bouncy song that showcases the musical heritage of the Delta. Dr. John’s piano playing is 150 years in the making, it is steeped in Southern culture, and when it accompanies his uniquely funky vocals, you have a fusion of soul, funk, blues and boogie that are all part of this great New Orleans sound that the Dr. has dedicated his life too. "Such A Night" piano lesson From the opening notes, “Such a Night” skips along at a moderate tempo, the melody is bright and airy, with funky breaks and pauses that are accented by the virtuosity of Dr. …

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 / March 2, 2018

Volunteer Jam XX: A Tribute to Charlie Daniels

This year's Volunteer Jam on Wednesday, March 7th, 2018 / Bridgestone Arena, Nashville TN is a tribute to music legend Charlie Daniels. Since 1974, Volunteer Jam has brought together some of music’s greatest performers. Now, 43 years later, friends, fans, and an extraordinary lineup of musicians will come together for a very special night honoring music legend Charlie Daniels. Included in the lineup are two IROCKU musicians- ours truly Chuck Leavell and Peter Keys, keyboardist with the Lynyrd Skynryd band. This unforgettable concert event will feature performances by Charlie Daniels and The Charlie Daniels Band, ALABAMA, Alison Krauss, Billy F Gibbons of ZZ Top, Blackberry Smoke, Bobby Bare, Chris Janson, Chris Young, Chuck Leavell, Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry, Jamey Johnson, …

irocku / February 16, 2018

IROCKU Featured Piano Lesson- “Jessica” by the Allman Brothers

The irocku featured piano lesson is "Jessica" by The Allman Brothers. "Jessica" Piano Lesson If you check out the videos of "Jessica" live you'll see that during the solo Chuck comps using the A and D chords in his left hand. The irocku lesson uses a left hand baseline similar to what the bass is playing so the lesson is actually more difficult to play. If you want to simplify the solo, you can play chords in the left hand similar to how Chuck is playing it. Click here to check out the Jessica videos in the sidebar. In our ongoing survey of Top Rock piano Songs and Performances, “Jessica” is currently ranked number two after “Great Balls of Fire” by Jerry Lee Lewis. Given that so many of the irocku members are also Chuck’s fans we’re sure that there is some bias in our poll. But …

rocknthe88s / February 7, 2018

The Rolling Stones won the Grammy for ‘Best Traditional Blues Album’, “Blue & Lonesome”

The Rolling Stones won the Grammy for ‘Best Traditional Blues Album’, for “Blue & Lonesome” at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards. This is only the fourth Grammy for the Stones and is only their second Grammy for a piece of musical work. Their other three Grammys are for ‘Best Music Video’- “Love is Strong” 1995, 'Best Rock Album'-"Voodoo Lounge" 1994, and the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ 1986. “Blue & Lonesome” is an awesome blues album but for the rock band that spent 50 years creating some of the most iconic rocks songs ever it’s hard to believe that this is their second real Grammy. It is fitting though, that the Stones received the Grammy for the album that brings them back to their roots as a blues band. If you were on the Grammy committee which Stones album or song would have …

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 …

rocknthe88s / January 11, 2018

Jools Holland & Doctor John as the “Boogie Woogie Twins”

During the 1930s and 40s pianists Pete Johnson and Albert Ammons would dress in identical clothing and play boogie woogie duets. In this video, circa 1988, Dr John and Jools Holland have recreated that long lost boogie woogie duet. Two pianos, twice the fun!! Who is your favorite rock piano player and what is your favorite keyboard song? Click here for the current list. Dr John is currently ranked 15th on our list of greatest rock piano players of all time with his signature keyboard songs "Such a Night" and "Right Place, Wrong Time". Jools Holland is ranked 48th on the list with his top songs "Pulling Mussels from the Shell" by Squeeze and "Uncertain Smile" by "The The". Learn how to play rock and blues piano from one of rock’s greatest. Chuck Leavell, legendary keyboardist for …

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