Nicky Hopkins Documentary, ‘The Session Man,’ Seeks Fans’ Help
by Best Classic Bands Staff
Nicky Hopkins, performing with the Stones during their 1968 Rock and Roll Circus taping
Legendary keyboardist Nicky Hopkins is the subject of a new documentary that tells the story of the gifted session performer who played with The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, The Who, Jeff Beck, and dozens of other classic rock stars. The Session Man has been completed and is ready for distribution but the producers are seeking financial help to defray costs of licensing the 39 tracks that are featured in the film in order to exhibit it at film festivals. A crowdfunding effort, continuing into early April 2023, has a target of £20,000. At various levels, contributors can attend a private screening, get an end credit, and even be listed as an Associate Producer. Click here for details and watch the trailer below.
Hopkins’ long association with the Rolling Stones included studio credits on Beggars Banquet, Let It Bleed, Sticky Fingers, and Exile On Main Street. His tours with the band included their legendary 1972 trek to the U.S. In 1968, Hopkins performed with the Rolling Stones at the 1968 taping of their legendary Rock and Roll Circus film. “Give him a chance,” says Keith Richards in The Session Man, “and he could play just about anything.”
Among his scores of career highlights was performing with Jefferson Airplane at the 1969 Woodstock festival.
He worked on solo albums by all four of the Beatles including John Lennon’s Imagine, George Harrison’s Living In the Material World, Ringo Starr’s Ringo and Paul McCartney’s Flowers In the Dirt.
All his life Hopkins suffered from Crohn’s disease, a crippling and agonizing abdominal illness. He died in 1994 at age 50 on an operating table in Nashville. The Rolling Stones picked up most of his hospital bills.
In his career, Hopkins played on over 250 albums. The Session Man’s narrator, Bob Harris, former presenter of the BBC’s Old Grey Whistle Test, had no hesitation at the end of the 90-minute film in confirming that, “Nicky Hopkins’ contributions made him Rock And Roll’s greatest Session Man.” “And on piano, the legendary Nicky Hopkins…”
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3 Comments so far
Jump into a conversationNicky played smokin hot piano on Jeff Beck’s first album, Truth. His solo was awe inspiring.
Nicky Hopkins was the front man on the Shady Grove lp by Quicksilver Messenger Service.
Nicky played on Steve Miller’s album “Your Saving Grace.” Listen to the beautiful work by Nicky on the 8 plus minute Baby’s House.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDqGZQzMemY