Nicky Hopkins: The Zelig of Rock and Roll

Let’s raise a glass to Nicky Hopkins, one of the greatest session players in Rock and Roll history.  Nicky played for the greatest English bands and on their greatest songs (Beatles: Hey Jude, Revolution, Rolling Stones: Sympathy for the Devil, Street Fighting Man, Tumbling Dice, The Kinks: Sunny Afternoon, Till the End of the Day, The Who: Anyday Day Anyway, Who’s Next ) and many others. 

He moved to San Francisco in the late 60’s and contributed to the Airplane, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Steve Miller, and the Jerry Garcia Band.  He played at Woodstock and more recently with the Jayhawks & Graham Parker.  Unfortunately Nicky was considered a session player and did not receive royalties like being part of a band.  But Nicky loved to jam more than Smuckers, and some of his greatest recordings remain on bootlegs.

I have put together a playlist honoring Nicky, not focusing on the greatest hits, but some of his more obscure great performances, and urge you to participate in the write in campaign to include him in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  Go online and seek out his body of work and then give him a vote.  Its about time..

1. Shady Grove – Quicksilver Messenger Service
2. Volunteers (Woodstock) –  Jefferson Airplane
3. Barabajagal – Donovan with Jeff Beck
4. Jigsaw Puzzle – The Rolling Stones
5. Witchi-Tai-To – Brewer and Shipley
6. Give Me Love – George Harrison
7. Jealous Guy – John Lennon
8. Baby’s House – Steve Miller
9. Burn Up – Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, Nicky Hopkins etc.
10. Getting In Tune – The Who
11. Banana Anna – Nicky Hopkins
12. Girl From Mill Valley – Jeff Beck
13. Two Angels – The Jayhawks
14. All By Myself (studio jam) – Jerry Garcia Band
15. Edward the Mad Shirt Grinder – Quicksilver Messenger Service (4/15/70 Winterland Check out Concert Vault)
16. As the Years Go Passing By – Gary Moore
17. Remember (Christmas) – Harry Nilsson