Nicky Hopkins
The frail yet prolific pianist who played on 14 tracks from the Stones' 'Exile on Main St.'
Nicholas Christian Hopkins (1944–1994) was an English pianist and organist whose playing defined the sound of British and American rock from the 1960s to the 1990s. Often named among history's top studio pianists, he recorded with giants like the Beatles, the Kinks, and the Who, yet his tightest bond was with the Rolling Stones. Battling Crohn's disease for most of his life—a condition that often confined him to the booth rather than the tour bus—Hopkins shaped their catalog in decisive ways. In 2025, he received a posthumous Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction for Musical Excellence.
- Role
- Session Musician / Keyboardist
- Affiliation
- The Rolling Stones (Associate)
- Status
- Deceased
- Era
- 1960s - 1980s
- Instrument
- Piano and Electric Keyboards
Lore & Background
Hopkins' relationship with the Rolling Stones began in February 1967 with Brian Jones for the A Degree of Murder soundtrack, followed by his first full band sessions from May 17 to 22, 1967. During these early days, he contributed prominent piano parts to 'We Love You' and 'She's a Rainbow.' His presence grew significantly through the late 1960s and early 1970s, where he was employed on ballads, up-tempo rockers, and acoustic material alike. Unlike longtime de facto keyboardist Ian Stewart, who favored traditional blues numbers, or Billy Preston, who handled soul-influenced tunes, Hopkins covered a wide spectrum. He added significant parts to classics like 'Sympathy for the Devil,' 'Gimme Shelter,' 'Angie,' and 'Waiting on a Friend.' His most massive contribution came on 1972's Exile on Main St., where he played on 14 of the album's 18 tracks, surpassing bassist Bill Wyman's presence on nine songs.
Reader's Guide
To understand Hopkins' role with the Stones, note that he appeared on studio albums from Their Satanic Majesties Request (1967) through Tattoo You (1981), with the exception of Some Girls (1978). He was a versatile session player who could shift styles instantly. His work extended beyond just keys; in 1968, he composed 'Girl from Mill Valley' for the Jeff Beck Group and received a rare songwriting co-credit on The Who's 'The Ox.' For fans exploring his specific contributions, focus on Exile on Main St., where his melodic parts often lead the track. His career trajectory was shaped by early illness; after leaving school at 16 to join Screaming Lord Sutch's Savages, he spent 19 months bed-ridden in his late teens following life-threatening operations, which cemented his path as a studio specialist rather than a touring frontman.
Did You Know?
- Hopkins played on 14 of the 18 tracks of Exile on Main St., giving him a greater presence than full-time Rolling Stone Bill Wyman.
- He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2025 under the Musical Excellence Award category.
- Hopkins suffered from Crohn's disease for most of his life, which led to 19 months of being bed-ridden as a teenager.
- The alias 'Edward' used on the album Jamming with Edward! was derived from studio banter between Hopkins and Brian Jones.
- Despite being offered a full-time role in The Who by Pete Townshend, Hopkins never officially joined the band.
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