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”.

Nicky Hopkins recording 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 independently adds additional texture and syncopation to the pattern. In the IROCKU lesson we provide the notes, the chords, the rhythm, and this video puts it all together as performed by Nicky Hopkins himself.

Here’s another version of “Sympathy for the Devil” with the vocal and piano tracks isolated. As the song progresses, you can hear how Nicky Hopkins changes the rhythmic pattern with every verse. Try it yourself. As you play the song, try changing up the pattern. The foundation of each pattern is moving from the I7 chord to IV and then back to the I. For the E chord, the pattern goes from E7 to A then back to E. For D it goes from D7 to G then back to D, and so on. Stick to the same chord changes but try mixing it up rhythmically.

Sympathy for the Devil- isolated keyboards & vocals

If you aren’t familiar with Nicky Hopkins, it’s time to start listening. Nicky Hopkins was the in-demand session player during the British Invasion. He recorded with the Who, The Beatles, The Kinks and The Rolling Stones, as well as Jefferson Airplane, Jerry Garcia, David Bowie, and Joe Cocker.

Here’s a short list songs that highlight Nicky Hopkin’s career on keys. On many of these titles, Hopkin’s keyboard playing made the song:

• The Rolling Stones
  • “She’s a Rainbow”
  • “Money Man”
  • “Loving Cup”
  • “Angie”
  • “Fool to Cry”
  • “Midnight Rambler”
  • “Waiting on a Friend”
  • “Street Fighting Man”
• The Kinks
  • “Sunny Afternoon”
• The Who
  • “Getting Tune”
  • “Lets See Action”
• Joe Cocker
  • “You Are So Beautiful
• Jefferson Airplane
  • “Volunteers”
• John Lennon
  • “Jealous Guy”
• George Harrison
  • “Give Me Love”
• Ringo Star
  • “Your Sixteen”
• The Beatles
  • “Revolution”
• Harry Nilsson
  • “At My Front Door”
• The Jerry Garcia Band
  • “That’s What Love Will Make You Do”
• The Steve Miller Band
  • “Kow Now”
  • “Baby’s House”

Click here for more on Nicky Hopkins

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