Nicky Hopkins Blues standard / The homecoming

The great Nicky Hopkins.
Village Music 23rd Anniversary Party August 5, 1991 Sweetwater Mill Valley, California, USA

[@derekec]

Nicky, as other great session players, took already brilliant songs and brought them to still another shining level. Not frontmen, they as individuals will always have to be rediscovered by each generation of listeners before they are again appreciated for their genius. But they did it for the music not the fame and they WILL always be loved immortal.

[@matthewadamsdk]

The first thing I thought was "wow, this sounds like a Stones jam session" - his piano playing was the backbone of their classic period from 68 to 72... RIP Mr. Hopkins ❤️

[@alicat7281]

Hopkins is one of the greatest keyboard session players of all time. His playing is instantly recognizable. It has true swagger.

[@written12]

It does have swagger but has an equal amount of finesse

[@susantuttle6729]

I love You❣️Nicky Hopkins. You were always the best!!!so happy I met you🧖‍♀️😂✌️🫶🏻🎹🎼🪘🎯🎭⚡️💓☣️🤭💯〽️🏨

[@jjohnjason8811]

The piano solo on gary moored as years go passing by, is one of best I've ever heard

[@michaeljasinski1906]

I was gonna leave a comment and as I m texting this...I...I... well I'm listening to this and...well... there's Nothing I can add!

[@ChuckWortman]

I would qrgue the greatest session piano player. I mean whi else contributed to so many of the greatest songs ever?

[@HTN3]

Very few people realize the remarkable influence and impact he had on some of rock-and-roll's most successful musicians, and his talent will last as long as those songs.

[@richardtoland2624]

This is true. He played on so many important records in the 60’s and 70’s (and beyond) it’s difficult to name them all. A singular and superlative musician. The first piece of his music I remember hearing was "Girl From Mill Valley" , from Beck-Ola, in 1969. Although, he also plays on every other song on that record. Gone but unforgettable. If interested, learn more about Nicky and review his recording credits list here: Nicky Hopkins - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicky_Hopkins

[@robertkelly6282]

I Do

[@krzysztofkieslowski5399]

Me too

[@PhukIT1865]

Nicky? the greatest piano player in the rock era ever duh

[@kimberlyj.sullivan9304]

We miss you, Mr. Hopkins. Thank you for all of your marvelous work and talent.

[@bharatbash]

The one and only! RIP Nicky Hopkins play your piano in the heavens ♥️

[@HTN3]

He is perhaps the most influential "anonymous" piano musician in R&R history. And to think he made it all happen before he died at age 50!

[@bonitabill2596]

I certainly hear his vast catalogue of piano genius ❤. Joe Cocker, Dr. John, Aretha, The Who, Stones - it just goes on and on. I know God is blessing him up in Heaven; I don’t think he ever received the recognition and rewards He should have here on earth. He certainly affected my life in a big, beautiful way. Just last night, I listen to him play live in with the Stones from 1971 . Thank You, Mr. Hopkins!

[@StanBeckerSongs]

And also the mighty mighty KINKS on many a foundational early cut.🎹 RIP ❤️🙏. I was blessed to see Nicky Hopkins with Ian Stewart at two East Coast NA 1972 Rolling Stones Tour stops. I'll never forget it.

[@leannedove]

So happy I came across this video. No one plays piano like Nicky. He added so much depth to songs- brilliant musician!

[@p2puser3]

"the homecoming" is such an amazing piece. can't believe this doesn't have a wider release

[@Rinter6904]

When I was a teen I loved hearing Nicky on so many of my favourite albums - I think of Edward, in the Quicksilver days and of so many Stones songs - Monkey Man was beautiful. He really was a genius.

[@JP51ism]

Monkey Man, that intro ~ subtle, superb, sublime...

[@nat.serrano]

Nicky Hopkins wild ending in Getting in Tune by the Who still remains one of the most exciting groovy endings of all time

[@gpwcowboy]

I played since I was 5. Had a scholarship to Peabody conservatory for a few years. This guy is phenomenal. His left hand is amazing.

[@B58Hustler]

Could listen to Nicky play all day long, wonderful stuff.

[@moirahopkins5950]

Thank you so much for posting this I was in the audience watching Nicky's performance. He later played the Homecoming piece at The Royal Albert Hall.

[@jaspertv5325]

Hi Moira, I made a start in playing the Homecoming on my piano. Its a great piece of storrytelling piano and it will take me some time to practice and understand the song. Do you know if the Homecoming has ever been recorded for an album? Jasper, The Netherlands

[@JosLemmers]

Dear Moria, only now do I realize that you were and are Nicky's wife. It is an incredible honor that you are commenting on this video. The big difference between Nicky Hopkins and Billy Preston when they are playing with The Rolling Stones is that when Nicky plays you feel that Nicky is there and when Billy plays you know that Billy is there. Nicky played the piano with a velvet hand with an incredibly nice feeling. Grtz, Jos aka UrbanSteel.

[@thewordofgord]

Hi Moira, what a treat to be seeing you here! Nicky was so great in several bands, but I have never seen him solo like this! Saw him in Toronto with the Jeff Beck Group in a club called The Electric Circus with a shy boy called Rod singing. That was '69 I would guess. You'll likely know why no bio doc has been done as yet, god knows it's about time. The history of Rock is incomplete without it.

[@STEVEFINNERTY]

a cornerstone of the greatest rock music that will ever be.

[@ponzo1967]

We like throw around words like genius but I really think it applies to this guy. I listen to Angie with just drums piano and bass its absolutely brilliant. Something about the soul this guy added to other people's songs elevated them to another level

[@jwm2568]

Nicky Hopkins and Johnnie Johnson gave so much to rock and roll music, unmatched talent really.

[@Bristolcentaurus]

Johnnie Be Good !

[@patrickreilly7256]

The GOAT of all R&R piano players. Hopkins/Garcia/Tutt.

[@flyingburritobro68]

You forgot Leon Russell and Ian McLagan

[@spookedhorse]

BOOM!

[@mr.panpan1116]

ミックテイラーの日本公演に同行するとあって喜んでチケットを買って楽しみにしてたんですが直前に体調不良で同行出来なくなったと聞いてガッカリした思い出があります。その後間も無く亡くなったとのニュースがありました🥲 聴きたかったブリティッシュロックの伝説のピアノマンの演奏を！

[@bobblaszczak7972]

I always thought of him as just one of the Stone's keyboard players. I only realized recently how much more he was to the music world. One of the best. Thank you and RIP.

[@eggman1978]

So much soul in his playing and writing. The pianists pianist!

[@madeleinehague3247]

'Just listened to the isolate piano on "Jealous Guy". Oh, wow. Nicky, you added so much to anyone's song. You are missed. ❤️

[@jasonburns4071]

Yeh...only just heard the Jealous Guy clip myself. Absolutely beautiful...I'm ashamed to say I had no idea he had played on so many records. He had a lot to contend with in his life with his debilitating illness. What a talent!

[@luisguedes7590]

Nicky Hopkins was a genius. The white soul with the black soul that put the swing in rock and roll.

[@highatruthart]

''The best''. He didn't need a band. He was the band !

[@kilercrab3213]

Jerry Garcia band mate 1975

[@claymationwaves]

The homecoming is really nice.. What music should be!!!!

[@Strikeminator]

Feels like the introduction is a severe understatement, almost a punishable understatement. How about: ”give it up for the most influential and amazing session pianist of all time- Nicky Hopkins”!!Just listen to what he did come up with for ”Jealous Guy”.. bloody genius.

[@kevinwaters5872]

As they say , “only the good die young”. Plenty of music to carry his memory forward , thankfully.

[@sportsmediaamerica]

Never thought I would come across THIS tonight!!! What rare footage. Definitely an icon.

[@JP51ism]

On the Stones' "Monkey Man" his intro is sublime...

[@deweyschneebly4074]

That Ealing accent and laconic humour. And the bark at the end! Love you Nicky! ❤😁👍

[@stephenperl4730]

Awesome. I’m such a huge fan of Nicky and his work! Mesmerizing

[@christinespier500]

Yet another reason to love his music.

[@はっとリー-o1x]

Everybody knows, his great-play ～fo example sympathy fo the devil(rolling stores) revolution (beatles ) What to say～his ingenuity is something special feeling . This VDO shows his wonderful fundamental technique 😊

[@admyral1]

love the blues .....but the magic starts @ 4.06 ...so beautiful

[@admyral1]

I say beautiful... It is jampacked of everything I love about nicky's playing, profound, rhythmic, harmonic subtlety 🙏❤

[@dan27music]

I thought 'the Homecoming' was a really interesting piece of music, and very evocative of 'homecoming'.

[@1999wharfrat]

My favorite pianist at what was my favorite saloon.

[@johntuck6731]

Absolutely fantastic musician R.I.P Sir.

[@charlesevans1872]

One of my favorite piano songs is "Spindrifter" off of the Quicksilver Messenger Service album "What About Me". Nicky Hopkins was the pianist on it.

[@ursolpecial]

I really love you and miss you Mr Hopkins. I can only imagine your soul

[@GLCTLC]

Homecoming isa very beautiful composition. It so reminds me of another composer and the uniqueness of her compositions, whicho are my favorite on earth.🦋💖🏹

[@kevinjoseph517]

he was a genius who made the rolling stones sound much better, as did mick taylor.

[@maitaifine1351]

seeing nicky hopkins on keys with quicksilver at winterland and with the stones at the roundhouse stamped him indelibly as the piano man in my concert memories!

[@harrygozzer8324]

Un tipo de otro mundo. Elevo a los Stones a la estratósfera. Se le extraña hasta la eternidad.

[@RobHollanderMusic]

Was lucky to see him playing with The Dinosaurs, New Years in early 80s, opening for The Dead. If you're interested there's a great CD of him playing with the Garcia Band at the Berkeley Keystone.

[@davidfox2832]

Ronnie Wood, when he was with the Jeff Beck group, said Nicky could 'pick up a tune in seconds. Never seen anything like it before or since '

[@Tigerroux]

Love it! I think of New Orleans blues and boogie with first tune. Always liked his playing Sympathy for the Devil for Stones.

[@HaFannyHa]

So beautiful to see my fave player in action. Thank you so much for this, it's wonderful!

[@JosLemmers]

You're welcome.

[@fearfeasa1]

Fine piano playing. Hopkins' best music on record comes from the time he spent with the Jerry Garcia Band in 1975. John Kahn was on bass, and Ron Tutt on drums. A great band !

[@PolyphonicSigma]

I love The Girl From Mill Valley

[@markdimarziomusic]

Such a great musician ! This is beautiful ! Thank you so much for uploading it !

[@evarsingersongwriter6228]

Re Niki ❤ Great to find this -Research into The Beatles piano techniques bought me here ❤ never too late to learn 😊 that Nikki did some songs for John Lennon etc often was one of the best piano session players for some of the world's best rock and modern music bands ( Paul and John were genius at what they did🎉🎉on piano )

[@ChuckWortman]

Its like he's playing a different song with each hand, but the two songs just happen to mesh perfectly!

[@williampollard8347]

Nicky is the piano player on the Stone's "2000 Light Years from Home" . Musical masterpiece!!! And this "Homecoming" reaches the heavens. Love the use of 6ths.

[@TheBlackbelair]

Well, I know John Paul Jones played organ on that song.

[@aldotorre6618]

I think he's playing at The Sweetwater In Mill Valley,CA. Love his music. One of the best piano player.

[@jjohnjason8811]

The nicky solo on gary moores 'as years go passing by' just pure talent

[@sakarbik7535]

04:06... He is playing it in Paradise for God.

[@khkhohoh]

Pianistic gem

[@Rhs7715]

Legend.

[@AlanSmitheeman]

What a tragedy that he died so young. A brilliant musician.

[@ozmunky]

Lord have mercy -- what a talent.

[@rafacuevastorres3547]

We miss you . your sensibility. your music . your piano....... your contribuition to john and george

[@williamsnyder1315]

Can’t help notice the same thing I see on a lot of great musicians, particularly pianists and bassists. Unusually long fingers. It ain’t fair for the rest of us.

[@FandersonUfo]

old school professional

[@oreokookie1000]

Nicky at the good old sweetwater!!!

[@maybeangels4385]

I really like the piano playing style of this outstanding pianist.

[@volvowilltravel]

He truly has singing fingers✌️💞🎹

[@westfield90]

So fantastic

[@PhukIT1865]

what a treat for those there in 1991. wow

[@flashesofblack4128]

He played such a lovely piano accompaniment on Whos Next, "Song is Over"!

[@cameronlewis1218]

Yes! True perfection…

[@flashesofblack4128]

@@cameronlewis1218 Agreed Cameron. His accompaniment on Song Is Over is almost hypnotic especially that repeating three note chord he plays on that song was nothing but majestic. It was simple yet powerful. I have said that when I die I want this song played at my funeral. Thank you Nick, Pete, John, Roger, and Moon for this beautiful song!

[@ChuckWortman]

​@@flashesofblack4128I read on wiki that The Who was his favorite band to play with.

[@StanBeckerSongs]

Brilliant Very moving

[@jamesgregory2962]

A great man.

[@PhukIT1865]

hear some Who there in the Homecoming.

[@PhukIT1865]

was he just making this all up? it wouldn't surprise me if he was. RIP Mr Hopkins

[@debbiepaschen5369]

Omg SWEETWATER MILL VALLEY CA

[@thomasm5828]

Check out his playing on “Sail Away” by Badfinger. Song was written by Tom Evans who also co-wrote “Without You”

[@JilleneLuce]

The only video I can find of the man himself playing piano

[@jorgemellooliveira9611]

Ótimo trabalho postagem maravilhosa

[@JosLemmers]

??? Shipping Costs???

[@Williamgarity]

Check out SPINDRIFT. His 1st solo album and again on a Quicksilver Messenger Service album.

[@richardwilsonavena]

My favorite keyboardist.

[@TheBlackbelair]

Along with the soaring guitar solo on the Stones "Time Waits For No One" Nicky's piano soars along with it.

[@matthewdescy8994]

Let’s not forget “Blues Deluxe” with Jeff Beck on “Truth”.

[@letiantan1810]

04:06 So tenderness and so magic...

[@martincummins8528]

Thanks for this post, love the man.

[@JosLemmers]

You're welcome.

[@danielrosati5576]

Years ago i purchased nicky’s musician union card!!

[@petesquire2954]

Salutations to Nicky; the greatest.

[@JohanFransen]

Wat een held!!!

[@PhukIT1865]

woo woo woo indeed

[@jeffjones1056]

It was his playing on. Song is over The Who I became a fan been ever since which was a long time ago

[@countryboy100]

Heard him play with Quicksilver in LA. He stole the show with monster piano.

[@fernandoaugusto7749]

He was the 6th ROLLING STONES member. NICKY HOPKINS RIP.

[@morganfjp]

What a rare and lovely video by the maestro! Can you tell us more about it - where and when it was, and who were all the other musicians hinted at in the intro...?

[@JosLemmers]

I borrowed it from the internet. No further more info.

[@csilverhame]

This was recorded at the 23rd Village Music Anniversary Party on August 5, 1991, held at the original Sweetwater Saloon in Mill Valley, CA. Village Music was owned by John Goddard, a local legend for the breadth and scope of his vinyl offerings at the store, which attracted famous musicians from around the world, as well as for these annual shows, which were played by some of his customers. He's the guy introducing Nicky in this vid.

[@ernestluis100]

gran pianista

[@felixtrognitz]

Just think of it, this guy played with eveyrone from The Beatles To The Who. No one ever has had such a talent that so many wanted it

[@sportsmediaamerica]

He played on the Kinks' 3rd through 6th albums. I didn't know that until tonight. His resume is a who's who of classic rock.

[@raimundolopes495]

Fantástico piano

[@joethomas5983]

Whoo whoo

[@soaringvulture]

I once could almost do that. I wish.

[@magnussturesson1722]

Sympathy for the Pianist!

[@nomorebushz]

10 seconds .. in Georgia?

[@bobazivkovic7072]

What piano is this? What a sound!