Chuck Leavell talks playing with the 'leaner, meaner' Rolling Stones

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

By Melissa Ruggieri



Just chatted with the ever-busy Chuck Leavell, who, as you can see, shared a couch with Elton John when the Rocket Man played Macon last week.

I was talking to Leavell about Atlanta singer Michelle Malone – he plays on her new album, “Day 2,” and you can read more about her later this week – but figured I’d try to extract some Rolling Stones tour info.

But if the band’s longtime touring keyboardist knows where those alleged 18 dates are going to be and when they’re going to be announced, he isn’t saying.

“We’re all waiting for that announcement. It’s hard to say exactly when it’s going to be,” he said.

He did, however, rave about the band's 50th anniversary shows late last year and said that playing with the Stones now feels better than ever.

“It’s not a secret that Ronnie (Wood) has been through some difficult times in recent years, but he’s really gotten his life together and has a wonderful new wife. He’s playing better than ever,” Leavell said. “At this juncture, everybody realizes how blessed we are to still be able to do this and to do it well and do it right. This time around we have a little more leaner, meaner Rolling Stones – a little more direct and in your face. I think it just feels like we’re starting over.”

Leavell, a noted conservationist who co-founded the Atlanta-based website Mother Nature Network, also had some kind words for his buddy John Mayer (he plays on Mayer’s current album, “Born and Raised,” and was slated to tour with him last year before Mayer’s vocal cord issues resurfaced), who guested at two Stones shows.

“I had suggested him as a guest and everyone agreed. We got him at the Barclays Center (in Brooklyn) and he just blew everyone away so we got him back for the pay-per-view,” Leavell said. “I’m excited to see that he’s going back out. I’m so happy to see that he’s healed up. I just hope that he’s ready for it and doesn’t have any problems, but I’m sure he knows that he’s healthy."

[www.accessatlanta.com]

I know a way they can become even leaner.

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GravityBoy
I know a way they can become even leaner.

more knee-bends?

"At this juncture, everybody realizes how blessed we are to still be able to do this"

His own worse enemy.

chuck personifies the stones. i love him.

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GRNRBITW
chuck personifies the stones. i love him.

Really?

<<“I had suggested him [John Mayer] as a guest and everyone agreed.">>

So now we know that Mick isn't the only one responsible for selecting special guests.

A bit confused - the last couple of article headlines about Chuck say that he's a Stone. No mention of it in this headline.

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GravityBoy

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GRNRBITW
chuck personifies the stones. i love him.

Really?

i would not lie to you, baby

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uhbuhgullayew
A bit confused - the last couple of article headlines about Chuck say that he's a Stone. No mention of it in this headline.

it's a given and an accepted fact now...it would be redundant to keep repeating it and saying it over and over again.

Here's a golden rule when you are a Rolling Stones employee... "shut up".

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GravityBoy
Here's a golden rule when you are a Rolling Stones employee... "shut up".

he's a stone, though - the main stone, in fact.

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GRNRBITW

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uhbuhgullayew
A bit confused - the last couple of article headlines about Chuck say that he's a Stone. No mention of it in this headline.

it's a given and an accepted fact now...it would be redundant to keep repeating it and saying it over and over again.

It's definitely accepted.

By about 2 people (perhaps even 1).

I predict 10 pages.

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GravityBoy

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GRNRBITW

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uhbuhgullayew
A bit confused - the last couple of article headlines about Chuck say that he's a Stone. No mention of it in this headline.

it's a given and an accepted fact now...it would be redundant to keep repeating it and saying it over and over again.

It's definitely accepted.

By about 2 people (perhaps even 1).

it always starts that way. you've heard of the domino theory?

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GRNRBITW

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uhbuhgullayew
A bit confused - the last couple of article headlines about Chuck say that he's a Stone. No mention of it in this headline.

it's a given and an accepted fact now...it would be redundant to keep repeating it and saying it over and over again.

Yeah, but the article states:

"playing with the Stones now feels better than ever."

See, he's just playing with them - he isn't one of them.

Quote
GRNRBITW

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GravityBoy

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GRNRBITW

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uhbuhgullayew
A bit confused - the last couple of article headlines about Chuck say that he's a Stone. No mention of it in this headline.

it's a given and an accepted fact now...it would be redundant to keep repeating it and saying it over and over again.

It's definitely accepted.

By about 2 people (perhaps even 1).

it always starts that way. you've heard of the domino theory?

Yes!

You eat one pizza and then you eat two, then four, then sixteen... and eventually the universe explodes.

Quote
uhbuhgullayew

Quote
GRNRBITW

Quote
uhbuhgullayew
A bit confused - the last couple of article headlines about Chuck say that he's a Stone. No mention of it in this headline.

it's a given and an accepted fact now...it would be redundant to keep repeating it and saying it over and over again.

Yeah, but the article states:

"playing with the Stones now feels better than ever."

See, he's just playing with them - he isn't one of them.

who does keith play with when he plays with the stones?

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GravityBoy

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GRNRBITW

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GravityBoy

Quote
GRNRBITW

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uhbuhgullayew
A bit confused - the last couple of article headlines about Chuck say that he's a Stone. No mention of it in this headline.

it's a given and an accepted fact now...it would be redundant to keep repeating it and saying it over and over again.

It's definitely accepted.

By about 2 people (perhaps even 1).

it always starts that way. you've heard of the domino theory?

Yes!

You eat one pizza and then you eat two, then four, then sixteen... and eventually the universe explodes.

you're implying multiplication. it's an addition function. i really thought you understood theories better.

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GRNRBITW
chuck personifies the stones. i love him.

yeah, he's positively cuddly!

Quote
GRNRBITW

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GravityBoy

Quote
GRNRBITW

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GravityBoy

Quote
GRNRBITW

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uhbuhgullayew
A bit confused - the last couple of article headlines about Chuck say that he's a Stone. No mention of it in this headline.

it's a given and an accepted fact now...it would be redundant to keep repeating it and saying it over and over again.

It's definitely accepted.

By about 2 people (perhaps even 1).

it always starts that way. you've heard of the domino theory?

Yes!

You eat one pizza and then you eat two, then four, then sixteen... and eventually the universe explodes.

you're implying multiplication. it's an addition function. i really thought you understood theories better.

I never heard such crap in my life.

Did you ever look at a cell?

Quote
GRNRBITW

Quote
uhbuhgullayew

Quote
GRNRBITW

Quote
uhbuhgullayew
A bit confused - the last couple of article headlines about Chuck say that he's a Stone. No mention of it in this headline.

it's a given and an accepted fact now...it would be redundant to keep repeating it and saying it over and over again.

Yeah, but the article states:

"playing with the Stones now feels better than ever."

See, he's just playing with them - he isn't one of them.

who does keith play with when he plays with the stones?

These guys:

Quote
GravityBoy

Quote
GRNRBITW

Quote
GravityBoy

Quote
GRNRBITW

Quote
GravityBoy

Quote
GRNRBITW

Quote
uhbuhgullayew
A bit confused - the last couple of article headlines about Chuck say that he's a Stone. No mention of it in this headline.

it's a given and an accepted fact now...it would be redundant to keep repeating it and saying it over and over again.

It's definitely accepted.

By about 2 people (perhaps even 1).

it always starts that way. you've heard of the domino theory?

Yes!

You eat one pizza and then you eat two, then four, then sixteen... and eventually the universe explodes.

you're implying multiplication. it's an addition function. i really thought you understood theories better.

I never heard such crap in my life.

Did you ever look at a cell?

most of my life has been spent in solitary confinement...as it should be

Quote
uhbuhgullayew

Quote
GRNRBITW

Quote
uhbuhgullayew

Quote
GRNRBITW

Quote
uhbuhgullayew
A bit confused - the last couple of article headlines about Chuck say that he's a Stone. No mention of it in this headline.

it's a given and an accepted fact now...it would be redundant to keep repeating it and saying it over and over again.

Yeah, but the article states:

"playing with the Stones now feels better than ever."

See, he's just playing with them - he isn't one of them.

who does keith play with when he plays with the stones?

These guys:

there you have it. chuck's a stone. end of story.

Quote
GRNRBITW

Quote
GravityBoy

Quote
GRNRBITW

Quote
GravityBoy

Quote
GRNRBITW

Quote
GravityBoy

Quote
GRNRBITW

Quote
uhbuhgullayew
A bit confused - the last couple of article headlines about Chuck say that he's a Stone. No mention of it in this headline.

it's a given and an accepted fact now...it would be redundant to keep repeating it and saying it over and over again.

It's definitely accepted.

By about 2 people (perhaps even 1).

it always starts that way. you've heard of the domino theory?

Yes!

You eat one pizza and then you eat two, then four, then sixteen... and eventually the universe explodes.

you're implying multiplication. it's an addition function. i really thought you understood theories better.

I never heard such crap in my life.

Did you ever look at a cell?

most of my life has been spent in solitary confinement...as it should be

Nobody will be surprised.

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stonehearted
So now we know that Mick isn't the only one responsible for selecting special guests.

Seems like you are surprised ???????

-------------------
Keep On Rolling

Couldn't find Elton in that photo. I'll look again.

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GRNRBITW

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GravityBoy
Here's a golden rule when you are a Rolling Stones employee... "shut up".

he's a stone, though - the main stone, in fact.

Fact???

Quote
uhbuhgullayew

Quote
GRNRBITW

Quote
GravityBoy
Here's a golden rule when you are a Rolling Stones employee... "shut up".

he's a stone, though - the main stone, in fact.

Fact???

i don't toil in rumor or opinion. i'm a facts guy.

Quote
GRNRBITW

Quote
uhbuhgullayew

Quote
GRNRBITW

Quote
GravityBoy
Here's a golden rule when you are a Rolling Stones employee... "shut up".

he's a stone, though - the main stone, in fact.

Fact???

i don't toil in rumor or opinion. i'm a facts guy.

How many "facts" are there on the 36 pages of the 2013 Countdown thread???