Beginning back in 1963, for the first six years of their touring career, the Rolling Stones didn’t have a dedicated touring keyboardist. Founding member and keyboardist, Ian Stewart, was relegated to road manager because he didn’t ‘look the part’. For these early tours, Rolling Stones’ founder and guitarist, Brian Jones, sat in on the piano when the song called for it. After Jones’s accidental drowning in 1969, Ian Stewart was brought back onto the stage to play the rockers- such as “Honky Tonk Women” and “It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll”. But Stewart refused to play ballads or any songs in minor keys. He was a blues rock and boogie woogie purist. From 1971 through 1973, English pianist extraordinaire, Nicky Hopkins, toured with the Stones to fill in on the songs that Stewart turned down. But …
Ian Stewart
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 …
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Chuck Leavell will be joining the Stones on their “No Filter” European tour in the Fall.
Chuck Leavell will be joining The Rolling Stones on their "No Filter" European Tour in the Fall. The Stones will play thirteen shows across Europe in September and October. Chuck has appeared on every Stones recording and tour since joining the 'World's Greatest Rock Band' in 1981. As the keyboardist for the Stones, Chuck is filling the shoes of rock's greatest keyboardists, including founding Rolling Stones member Ian Stewart and the late Nicky Hopkins and Billy Preston. Along with his role as the group's sole keyboardist, Chuck also serves as the group's musical director- coordinating each night's set list. 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 …