Studio musicians often fade into the background, but Nicky Hopkins was anything but ordinary. As a session ace, his iconic keyboard arrangements helped shape some of the biggest rock albums in history. Hopkins’ contributions with legendary bands like The Rolling Stones, The Who, and The Beatles are etched into the foundation of rock music. Below, we explore four tracks that would have been dramatically different without his signature touch.
“Sympathy For The Devil” by The Rolling Stones
Opening the Beggars Banquet album, “Sympathy For The Devil” is driven by a compelling bass line and layers of percussion. But it’s Nicky Hopkins’ piano that injects a distinct sense of anxious intensity into the track. His bluesy piano part weaves seamlessly into the song’s fusion of folk and samba. As a frequent collaborator with The Rolling Stones, Hopkins also contributed to iconic tracks such as “Gimme Shelter,” “Angie,” and “Street Fighting Man.”
“Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” by John Lennon and Yoko Ono
On this poignant Christmas plea for peace, Hopkins played the chimes, glockenspiel, and piano, adding depth to the lush Wall of Sound that Phil Spector crafted for the song. The track’s dense instrumentation, amplified by Hopkins’ contributions, transforms a Vietnam War protest into a resonant anthem of hope and peace. The powerful blend of his piano with the children’s choir resonates with the spirit of John Lennon’s timeless anthem, “Imagine.”
“Beck’s Bolero” by Jeff Beck
In what was Jimmy Page’s first attempt at forming what would later become Led Zeppelin, a supergroup consisting of Jeff Beck, Keith Moon, John Paul Jones, and Hopkins came together to record “Beck’s Bolero.” Although the group never became Led Zeppelin, this instrumental track remains a standout in rock history. Hopkins’ piano is central to the song’s Spanish dance feel, complementing Beck’s signature slide guitar. The heavy, triumphant groove midway through the song gives a glimpse of the monumental band Page and Jones would later form with Robert Plant and John Bonham.
“Revolution” by The Beatles
The electric piano break in “Revolution” cuts through the distorted guitars with fiery intensity, providing the track with a sense of urgency and power. Nicky Hopkins’ keyboard work plays a pivotal role in bridging early rock and roll with The Beatles’ late-60s experimental sound. His piano evokes the spirit of Jerry Lee Lewis, reimagined within the context of a psychedelic rock band. There are three versions of the song, with the most raucous one appearing as the B-side to “Hey Jude.” The others, “Revolution 1” and “Revolution 9,” can be found on The Beatles’ self-titled White Album.
These four tracks, among countless others, showcase Nicky Hopkins’ unparalleled influence on rock music. His keyboard mastery helped define the sound of an era, and his contributions remain integral to the legacy of these iconic songs.
