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Allman Brothers 50th Anniversary and Tribute Show

On March 10, former members of the Allman Brothers Band will be reuniting at New York’s Madison Garden to pay tribute to their lost brothers and to celebrate 50 years of ABB music. Brothers lost from the original lineup are- guitarist Duane Allman, keyboardist and vocals Gregg Allman, drummer Butch Trucks, bassist Berry Oakley, and brothers lost from subsequent lineups - bassists Lamar Williams and Allen Woody, and guitarist Dan Toler. The tribute band will include members from their most recent lineup - guitarists Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks, bassist Oteil Burbridge, and original band member and drummer Jaimoe Johanson. They will be joined by pianist Chuck Leavell, drummer Duane Trucks, and organist Reese Wynans. The Allman Brothers played their first show in 1969 and played …

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Rare Nicky Hopkins video laying down tracks for “Sympathy for the Devil”

IROCKU’s featured lesson is “Sympathy for the Devil” by the Rolling Stones. Here is an incredibly rare clip of Nicky Hopkins recording the original piano track on “Sympathy for the Devil”. "Sympathy for the Devil" Piano Lesson Nicky Hopkins is hands-down one of the most influential pianists in rock history. He was the Thomas Edison of rock piano generating endless innovations in rock piano style and technique. The rhythm on “Sympathy for the Devil” is one of his most recognized and the original recording was remarkably captured in this 1968 video. This video provides a one minute window into rock history. Loop it until the rhythm is firmly ingrained in your mind. Hopkin’s rhythm is solid, strong, and driving yet his wrists are relaxed and bounce lightly on the keys while each finger …

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Aretha Franklin and Billy Preston – “O Holy Night”

Here's a musical treasure from Aretha Franklin and Billy Preston to help bring in the holiday. A moment of magic from two of America's greatest musical prodigies. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Chuck and the irocku team. 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!!! …

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This week’s piano lesson is “Joy Boogie” by Chuck Leavell.

Well it’s that time of year again and we can’t think of a better way to celebrate than with an arrangement from the master himself, Chuck Leavell. “Joy Boogie” is a joyful and explosive boogie-woogie version of the traditional Christmas classic, “Joy to the World”. "Joy Boogie" Piano Lesson There are few people who can match Chuck’s musical chops but we’ve done our best to turn this joyous piano celebration into a lesson that can be enjoyed by everyone; beginners through our most advanced piano students. "Joy Boogie" is packed with many of Chuck's signature techniques. It’s got a killer walking eighth-note boogie-woogie bass line (influenced by Ian Stewart), moving through a scale diatonically while harmonizing each chord tone with the I chord and each passing tone with the IV or V, …

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Last Chance Before Christmas – 30% Off

Holiday Special 2019- 30% Off All Annual Memberships and Annual Membership Gift Certificates Holiday Special 30% Off Use coupon code: Holidays2019 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. Coupon is valid December 12-December 24,2019 …

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A tale of two Capricorn Studios piano players

In the spirit of the Capricorn studio revival this month we are featuring two Capricorn recordings and the piano players behind these great recordings.  "Jessica" was recorded at Capricorn Studios in Macon, Georgia and released in 1973. “Jessica” has proven to be one of Capricorn’s pivotal recordings. The piano solo on "Jessica" was performed by Chuck Leavell; a piano solo that pioneered improvisational rock piano. "Jessica" is this week's featured irocku piano lesson. Click below for the piano lesson and sheet music: "Jessica" piano lesson Here is another lesser known tune recorded at Capricorn Studios. “Shanty” was recorded by Jonathan Edwards in 1971 and released on Edwards’ debut album, Jonathan Edwards which included his gold record single, “Sunshine”, one of the Vietnam era’s …

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Black Friday Special – 35% Off

Black Friday Special- 35% Off All Annual Memberships and Annual Membership Gift Certificates Black Friday 35% Off Use coupon code: BlackFriday2019 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. Coupon is valid November 28-December 1, 2019 …

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Featured Piano Lesson- “She Talks to Angels” by the Black Crowes

The IROCKU featured piano lesson is “She Talks to Angels” by The Black Crowes. Click below for the piano lesson and sheet music: "She Talks To Angels" piano lesson "She Talks to Angels” is a beautiful rock ballad. Blues, soul, and gospel all wrapped up into one. The Black Crowes recorded two versions of this song for their album Shake Your Money Maker. The first version, released in 1990, begins with an acoustic guitar intro and on the second version, released in 1998,  Chuck Leavell provides the intro and background fills on piano. This lesser known recording has some of Chuck’s must beautiful keyboard playing. Pure, poignant, gospel piano that matches Chris Robinson’s dark vocals and lyrics. This is a great song to work on your gospel piano playing.  It uses a I, IV,V gospel …

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The Rolling Stones keyboardist talks to us about biz, music, and saving forests.

Reprint from "Business Jet Traveler" August 2019 Chuck Leavell, the Rolling Stones’ de facto musical director, has played keyboards for the group on record and on tour since 1982. Earlier, he was a member of the Allman Brothers Band (it’s his piano solo you hear on their classic “Jessica”) and a cofounder of the jazz-rock outfit Sea Level, which took its moniker from his first initial and surname. Leavell has also performed or recorded with many other leading musicians, including Eric Clapton, Aretha Franklin, George Harrison, the Black Crowes, and Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour. The latest of his six solo albums, last year’s Chuck Gets Big, finds him backed by a 17-piece brass band and performing original songs alongside classics from the Stones, the Allman Brothers, and other …

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Capricorn Revival at the Macon City Auditorium

In the 1960s, The Beatles and the Stones ushered in the British Invasion while Berry Gordy brought us Motown. But if you were a high school or college student in the 1970s chances are you also had a few Capricorn Records in your vinyl collection. Capricorn Records was a label hailing out of Macon, Georgia that was founded in 1969 by Phil Walden, Alan Walden, and Frank Fenter.  We can thank Capricorn Records for the emergence of Southern Rock; a fusion of blues, rock, and country music with a touch of jazz. If you dig a littler deeper, you might make the case that it was slide guitarist Duane Allman’s innovative session playing at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals that single-handedly paved the musical cow path for Southern Rock. Capricorn’s roster of artists started with Duane Allman …

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