Nicky Hopkins
Often lost in the hoopla of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction process are the lesser- known musicians inducted into the Hall in the Musical Excellence category. The case in point for the 2025 class of inductees is Nicky Hopkins, one of the most important sidemen in the history of blues/blues rock.
Nicky Hopkins: A Musical Genius Behind the Scenes
Hardly a household name, Nicky Hopkins, known for his stellar session work on piano and organ, was part of some of the most important recordings in the 1960’s and 70’s, working with artists such as the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, the Who, the Kinks, Joe Cocker, the Steve Miller Band, Jeff Beck, Peter Frampton, and many others. His career was largely confined to studio work, as he suffered from Crohn’s disease, and numerous surgeries for that affliction limited his ability to tour with bands.
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Born in 1944 in Perivale, Middlesex, England, Hopkins began playing piano at the age of three, and in his teens was awarded a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music in London. In 1960, at the age of 16, he left school to join Screaming Lord Sutch’s Savages, and then two years later became a member of Cyril Davies (R&B) All-Stars, a seminal group in British blues. By 1963, his health forced him to leave the All-Stars, after surgery required him to be bed-ridden for the better part of two years. Upon his return to the music scene, he made the decision to confine his work to the recording studio and began his prolific career as a session player.
Studio Legend: Collaborations with Iconic Artists
Rolling Stones
Some of his best-known session work was with the Rolling Stones, and he appeared on nearly every Rolling Stones album from 1967 until 1981. His keyboard work can be distinctly heard on such classics as She’s A Rainbow, Sympathy for the Devil, No Expectations, Gimme Shelter, Monkey Man, Loving Cup, Ventilator Blues, Angie, Fool to Cry and Waiting on a Friend. By the early 1970’s, he was so integral to the Stones’ sound, that he appeared on 14 of the 18 tracks of their 1972 magnum opus, Exile on Main Street. During this time period, his health had stabilized to the point where he was able to play with the Stones on various tours from 1971 until 1973 but was left off the touring roster for their 1973 European tour due to his health. Hopkins was briefly considered for the Stones’ touring ensemble for their 1989 Steel Wheels tour, but health concerns left him off the roster, and Chuck Leavell was recruited instead.
Jeff Beck Group
In 1968, Hopkins joined former Yardbird’s guitarist Jeff Beck as part of his Jeff Beck Group, which also included Rod Stewart and Ron Wood. He performed on the two albums that band recorded together, Truth (1968) and Beck-Ola (1969), and stayed with the group until they disbanded in 1969. He reportedly was recruited by Jimmy Page to join his new group which eventually became Led Zeppelin but declined to participate.
Beatles
Hopkins was also recruited to play electric piano by the Beatles in 1968 to play on their single Revolution and recorded his part in one take. Subsequently, he would record with the individual Beatles on their solo work, most notably on John Lennon’s Imagine album. He also worked with the Kinks from 1965 until 1967 playing on songs such as Sunday Afternoon and Starstruck and with the Who at various points in the 1960’s and 70’s on albums such as My Generation, Who’s Next, and The Who by Numbers.
Various other artists
His work with other artists reads like a “Who’s Who” of music: Joe Cocker with You Are So Beautiful, Cat Stevens on Matthew and Son, Carly Simon on No Secrets, Peter Frampton on Somethin’s Happening, Art Garfunkel on Breakaway, Harry Nilsson on Son of Schmillsson, Donovan on Barabajagal and Essence to Essence, Jerry Garcia on Reflections, Meat Loaf on Dead Ringer, the Steve Miller Band on Brave New World and Your Saving Grace, Rod Stewart on Footloose & Fancy Free, Blondes Have More Fun, and Every Beat of My Heart, Jefferson Airplane on Volunteers, Quicksilver Messenger Service on Shady Grove, Just for Love and What About Me. This list is by no means exhaustive, as it has been estimated that Hopkins played on more than 250 albums during his lifework.
Solo Projects and Musical Ventures
Hopkins released three solo albums in his career. In 1966, he released The Revolutionary Piano of Nicky Hopkins, produced by Shel Talmy, who had also worked with the Who and the Kinks. The album included a collection of standards, popular tunes and original music, and did not chart. He released The Tin Man Was a Dreamer in 1973 to critical acclaim. The album included performances by many of Hopkin’s friends including George Harrison of the Beatles and Mick Taylor of the Rolling Stones. The album features Hopkins performing lead vocals and peaked at 108 on the U.S. Billboard 200 record chart. His final solo album was 1975’s No More Changes, which also failed to chart. Hopkins also contributed to a number of film soundtracks, particularly in Japan.
Legacy and Recognition
Nicky Hopkins died in 1994 at the age of 50 from complications resulting from surgery related to his Crohn’s disease. In 2018, a piano bench memorial was erected in Perivale Park in his hometown, largely funded by his friends in the music industry. In 2019, the “Nicky Hopkins Scholarship” was launched at the Royal Academy of Music. In 2023, a documentary about Nicky Hopkins’ life, The Session Man, premiered at several film festivals, and is currently available on demand and on DVD.
Conclusion: The Enduring Impact of a Musical Virtuoso
Despite limited fame outside the studio, Nicky Hopkins’s influence on rock and blues music remains indelible. His work behind the scenes helped shape some of the most iconic recordings in modern music history, earning him a well-deserved place in the Hall of Fame’s Musical Excellence category. His story is a testament to the power of talent, perseverance, and the often-unsung heroes of the music industry.
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