Sympathy for the Devil

irocku / February 25, 2020

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 …

irocku / October 1, 2017

Greatest Rock Piano Players – Nicky Hopkins

Nicky Hopkins is currently ranked 5th in our poll of The Greatest Rock Piano Players. Who is your favorite keyboard player? Favorite song? Rock piano fans tend to become obsessed about Nicky Hopkin’s unsung contributions to rock piano. And rightfully so. Throughout the 60s and 70s, Nicky Hopkins was England’s top session musician. Recording with Jeff Beck, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles (“Revolution”), Donovan, and the Kinks. He also recorded and performed with American bands Jefferson Airplane, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Harry Nilsson, The Steve Miller Band, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Cat Stevens, Peter Frampton, and the Jerry Garcia Band. But he is best known for his work with the Rolling Stones and laid down the signature licks on “Sympathy for the Devil” and totally owned …

irocku / May 19, 2017

The Rolling Stones – Sympathy for the Devil – Live in St Louis

The IROCKU featured piano lesson is “Sympathy of the Devil” by The Rolling Stones. Click below for the piano lesson and sheet music: "Sympathy for the Devil" Piano Lesson The original title of this song was "The Devil Is My Name." As Mick Jagger tells it, "Songs can metamorphosize. And Sympathy for the Devil is one of those songs that started off like one thing, I wrote it one way and then we started to change the rhythm. And then it became completely different. And then it got very exciting. It started off as a folk song and then became a samba. A good song can become anything..." 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 …

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Sympathy for the Devil