There was some overlap, wasn't there?... of Stu and Nicky -- and during their golden years.
I don't remember where I might have read or hear this: I think Keith himself once said something about the way the Stones utilized Stu and Nicky differently... Stu for the basic rock n roll boogie woogie. And Nicky for those memorable piano melodies. I think he referred to Nicky's parts as " golden tiaras" or something like that
Stu for the first 20 years, Chuck for the last 25. Stu WAS a Stone essencially, taking on many roles from roadie to referie to boogie woogie keyboardist! Chuck does hold it together alot these days! If Stu were still alive, there would not be a Chuck on board because Stu was such an integral part of the band.
That's Nicky in the ONE PLUS ONE/SYMP FOR THE DEVIL movie..right? Unbelievable. I'd love it if the Stones began incorporating more piano (real piano) into their music these days.
If the question was about musical ability only, there might be more of an argument, but the most IMPORTANT -
Stu,
- it was because of his presence in the band from the beginning that the Stones became a band in which keyboards were an essential part of the sound, and a keyboard player an indispensable member of the team to this day
- because his own enthusiasm and love of the music added something more than just the sounds he made - the Stones always rocked harder on any track Stu played on
- because despite the appalling way he'd been treated, he cared enough to stay on and continue to be a part of the band he'd helped create.