Too many negative threads about Chuck. It's all jealousy - he is as close to, and respected by, Mick Keith Ronnie and Charlie as anyone else. And far more than the rest of us.

For sure he doesn't play the keyboards exactly like Nicky 'opkins, but so what?

He is a long-term trusted member of the inner circle: the only musician to have lasted so long in that position. He was also pretty bloody good in the Allman Brothers.

... and the only time I spoke to him he gave me some helpful advice on keyboards!

Give the man a break.

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thecitadel
Give the man a break.

He needs a break.

A long one.

I see this thread is really gathering some steam.

Jealousy? Hardly...

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treaclefingers
I see this thread is really gathering some steam.

YES!! of course!...thats' what happens with a fresh insightful topic such as this.....

Chuck Leavell can touch MC Hammer.

Chuck said he was disappointed when the Stones didn't call him up to record BRIDGES TO BABYLON. But they did call him up subsequently. So it's not like they use him out of sheer habit.

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Title5Take1
Chuck said he was disappointed when the Stones didn't call him up to record BRIDGES TO BABYLON. But they did call him up subsequently. So it's not like they use him out of sheer habit.

so now there is ANOTHER reason to love that record...

Nicky!







Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012-09-23 22:55 by Redhotcarpet.

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Redhotcarpet
Nicky!

Yes, but...

24 February 1944 - 6 September 1994

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Redhotcarpet
Nicky!

It's like musical C.S.I. The evidence is right here. Holy crap!! That's how it's done!!!! send it to Chuck.

I don't recall a pre-Chuck MR with a piano in it.

I guess that's the beauty of it.

Chuck's presence is one of the main reasons the Stones have toured over the past two decades. He is the new Ian Stewart, a kind of person Mick & Keith need in order to stay grounded. I've met him - he's a nice person.

Chuck was great with the Allmans-- his keyboard playing was superb and complimented Dickey Betts -- lets face it for a lot of years in the mid-late 7o's Chuck & Betts were the Allman Bros Band-- Greg Allman was in a haze....

Chuck with the Stones is a different matter--you got remember he was hired to pull their live shows together- make them more professional and tight for the masses--they want to command top dollar and draw as many people in to their shows as possible-- thats where they make their money- they dont care if they play to die-hard fans or just the occasional Stones listener who comes to hear the hits---
one of the things true Stones fans have always loved about their live shows pre-Chuck was that it was always rock & roll-- sometimes they nailed it, sometimes a shambles, but always rocking-- it was a band driven by the rythm
section and led by Keith Richards- now its driven by the hired keyboard player-- sure, everyone would love to see Nicky Hopkins up there with them, but thats not gonna happen, nor Billy Preston-- I would love to see "Mac" there, but that doesnt seem to be in the cards-- so if they need to have a keyboard player / band leader, then Chuck is not a bad choice.

Chuck also did a nice job in the same role on the George Harrison / Eric Clapton Japan tour in the early 90's-- lets face it-- he's a talented guy and the Stones love him--

Personally I would love to see a real Allamans reunion: Greg, Betts, Chuck, Jaimoe, etc-- it would be great if Duane could attend, but I hear he's busy with Nicky Hopkins and Billy Preston

Again?


Dammit Chuck!!!

I've met him too and he is a sweet, humble man totally into his music and obviously liked by the Stones. Give it a rest! He really is a force in this band. All of you folks who just whine that he's NOT Nicky, well, that's ridiculous because he's NOT NICKY, he's Chuck....if that's good enough for Mick and the Stones, it should be good enough for the rest of us.

Dammit mickschix

A great bandmate, piano player and a great guy.

Heard him on Public Radio with Marian Mcpartland and he came across as a super guy and a great player. They did a wonderful version of "Jessica" together. I also appreciated his commitment to environmental sanity.

Chuck and Mary....


And why do people need a whipping boy? Every sports team's fans seem to like to gang up on one player. And old bands too I guess. At a Beach Boys board I post at it was Mike Love for ages, then Brian's wife Melinda, and these days it seems to be Bruce Johnston. I understand that Nicky Hopkins was better suited for the Stones -- but the Stones were better suited for the Stones in those days too!

I'd call it misplaced vitriol, just sayin'....



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012-09-24 04:41 by Wry Cooter.

He's a nice person

He was great in the Allman Bros.

He was great in Sea Levell

Mick and Keith love him

The Stones couldn't possible exist without him

He knows the chords and tempos to all the songs

Ian Stewart annointed him his successor

He's an honorary forest ranger.

He loves his wife and is kind to animals

And I STILL can't stand his mid-rangey boring keyboard playing in the Stones!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012-09-24 04:51 by 71Tele.

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Title5Take1
Chuck said he was disappointed when the Stones didn't call him up to record BRIDGES TO BABYLON. But they did call him up subsequently. So it's not like they use him out of sheer habit.

Chuck revealed TOO MUCH in an interview, about him being the musical leader of the group. That's why he didn't get the call for the B2B-sessions. He was back for the tour, though.

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DandelionPowderman

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Title5Take1
Chuck said he was disappointed when the Stones didn't call him up to record BRIDGES TO BABYLON. But they did call him up subsequently. So it's not like they use him out of sheer habit.

Chuck revealed TOO MUCH in an interview, about him being the musical leader of the group. That's why he didn't get the call for the B2B-sessions. He was back for the tour, though.

I wonder when all is said and done, will Chuck reveal it all and write a book THE VEGAS YEARS OF THE ROLLING STONES: HOW I MADE IT ALL HAPPEN....

- Doxa



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2012-09-24 09:51 by Doxa.

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71Tele
He's a nice person

He was great in the Allman Bros.

He was great in Sea Levell

Mick and Keith love him

The Stones couldn't possible exist without him

He knows the chords and tempos to all the songs

He's an honorary forest ranger.

He loves his wife and is kind to animals

But there must be something positive about Chuck....

Mathijs

My cousin is always ready in case Chuck were replaced.

He is getting better and better playing keyboards

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Mathijs
But there must be something positive about Chuck

They say Charles Edward Anderson Berry changed his name to Chuck on the day Chuck Leavell
was born out of sheer respect for the guy.

It is being said that Jerry Lee Lewis wanted to play guitar, but changed to piano after
he heard of Chuck Leavell.

Some people say W.A. Mozart was very disappointed at his death bed, because he never had the
chance to hear Chuck Leavell play his Piano Sonatas.

I have heard Bartolomeo Cristofor asked Chuck Leavell for advice on the coloring and placement
of the keys for the piano.

Mosaics have been found of Chuck Leavall playing piano in the court of Julius Ceasar.

Just as long as the guitar plays, let it steal your heart away

You pretty well sum up the situation there 71Tele. Good post.

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71Tele
He's a nice person

He was great in the Allman Bros.

He was great in Sea Levell

Mick and Keith love him

The Stones couldn't possible exist without him

He knows the chords and tempos to all the songs

Ian Stewart annointed him his successor

He's an honorary forest ranger.

He loves his wife and is kind to animals

And I STILL can't stand his mid-rangey boring keyboard playing in the Stones!

He's a nice person => indeed

He was great in the Allman Bros => true

He was great in Sea Levell => yep

Mick and Keith love him => sure

The Stones couldn't possible exist without him => no, Ronnie's the guy without whom the band would not have survided the 80ies

He knows the chords and tempos to all the songs => indeed

Ian Stewart annointed him his successor => correct

He's an honorary forest ranger. => good for him

He loves his wife and is kind to animals => good for them

And I STILL can't stand his mid-rangey boring keyboard playing in the Stones!
=> Too bad for you. I always thought Chuck doesen't have that rock n'roll thing. He's very polite, and maybe too polite in his way of playing. The guy brings a lot of positive energy into the band, helping on rehearsals, helping on changing the set lists, and even if I get your point, I am 1.000x happier to see him behind the keyboards than Matt clifford (with all due respect him and his skills).

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Title5Take1
Chuck said he was disappointed when the Stones didn't call him up to record BRIDGES TO BABYLON. But they did call him up subsequently. So it's not like they use him out of sheer habit.

I wondered why there's no plinky tinkly on Bridges.