ROCKS OFF

NICKY HOPKINS

“THE SESSION MAN”

The pianist with the best reputation in rock history.

Why? Just check his full discography:

Last entries included June 10^th, 2005

Group/Artist	Album	Year	Notes or other musicians in the album
Aquarian Age	10,000 Words In A Cardboard Box	1968	With Clem Cattini on drums, John “Junior” Wood on bass, Nicky on piano and John “Twink” Alder on all other instruments. They released a 7” single in the UK in 1968.
Murray Attaway	In Thrall	1993	With Jim Keltner and Pat Mastelotto (King Crimson) on drums, and great musicians on the keys: Benmont Tench (organ), Steve Nieve (Wurlitzer piano), Nicky Hopkins and Patrick Warren (keyboards). Very Good, an arresting album: IN THRALL is about finding your place in the world and learning to fit into it...Rolling Stone  (08/05/1993)
Badfinger	Airwaves	1979	With Tony Kaye (original Yes keyboardist), Andy Newmark.
Bang Tango	Love After Death	1994	A funk-glam-heavy-rock experiment of Nicky
Bay City Rollers	Strangers in the wind	1978	I censored my own comments LOL
Beat Farmers	The Pursuit of Happiness	1987	Produced by Steve Berlin who also played sax
The Beatles	Studio Sessions 1968-1970	1968	He participated in some studio sessions for MMT, SPLHCB, The Beatles (White album), AR and LIB but the takes used were with the Beatles and George Martin
The Beatles	Revolution (single version)	1968	The official release of this faster version has Nicky on Piano
The Beatles	The Beatles (aka White Album)	1968	(*) While John, Paul, George and Billy Preston play all organs, Nicky plays all pianos. (??) (*) This is the only thing here that has not been confirmed yet. However, according to multiple sources seems that some pianos credited to Billy were actually recorded by Nicky.
The Beatles	Hey Jude	1968	He made the piano overdub of the hit "Hey Jude"
Jeff Beck	Truth	1968	With Jeff Beck, Rod Stewart, Ron Wood (bass), Aynsley Dunbar, John Paul Jones (Hammond organ), Keith Moon, etc. Nicky plays in "Morning Dew" and his solo on Blues De Luxe, especially live was acclaimed as "manic" "outstanding" etc; it was recorded live on the studio. Nicky first appearance with the Jeff Beck was on August 13, 1968 at the Balloon Meadow, Royal Windsor Racecourse, Sundbury, England when The Jeff Beck Group was the opening act for The Cream.
Jeff Beck	Beck Ola / Cosa Nostra.	1969	He became a member of the group in this second album. With Jeff Beck, "Extraordinaire" Rod Stewart, Ron Wood and Tony Newman. This album contains one of his very few solo numbers "Girl from Mill Valley"
Jeff Beck	Beckology	1991	A compilation, including here since has some unreleased tracks with Nicky.
Duster Bennett	Fingertips	1974	With Boz Burrell, Peter Frampton, Dick Parry, Morris Pert, Ian Wallace, Rick Willis
Duster Bennett	Shady Little Baby	2000	With Rick Willis on bass
Bierce in L.A.	L.A. River	1991	Critically acclaimed as "...refreshingly twisted" (Billboard), and "...superbly melodic" (CASHBOX), L.A. River provides a survey of SoCal as seen through the eyes of Stanley Wycoff. Tracks such as L.A. Pool Man, Orange County Line, Street Scene,
Marc Bolan	Prehistoric	1995	Only Marc and Nicky with Big Jim Sullivan. John Paul Jones in some tracks.
Marc Bolan	Prehistoric	2002	Marc Bolan (vocals, guitar); Big Jim Sullivan (guitar); Nicky Hopkins (piano); Clem Cattini (drums).Producer: Simon Napier Bell
David Bowie	Early On (1964-1966)	1991	This album has the recordings done previous to the first album "Love you till Tuesday" released in 1967. Jimmy Page also recorded with David when ha was a mod following the paths of The Who, Kinks, and Rolling Stones. Then he defined his "particular" style.
Brewer & Shipley	Weeds	1969	With Mike Bloomfield, Nick Gravenites.
British Archive Series	Blues for Collectors: Including Cyril Davies and the Allstars, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page and Santa Barbera Machine Head featuring Ron Wood)	1971	This is a must of you like Nicky Hopkins playing blues. Side one has Nicky in all tracks with Cyril Davies and The Allstars. Check the sound samples space at this website to listen some. Eighteen months after Cyril’s death the “Allstars” tapes were recorded with the original members, Nicky Hopkins, Carlo Little on drums, and Cliff Barton on bass with the addition of Jeff Beck on lead guitar who was not one of the original members. Side 2 is also great as it has the three tracks recorded by “Santa Barbera Machine Head” with Ronnie Wood on guitar, Jon Lord (Deep Purple) on organ, Twink on drums and Kim Gardener on bass. Get this one!
Duncan Browne	Give me Take You	1968	Only Nicky and Duncan play all the instruments. David Breton wrote the lyrics.
Jack Bruce	A question of time	1989	With Ginger Baker ex-mate in The Cream, Albert Collins, and Allan Holdsworth. Mick Taylor did some sessions.
Jack Bruce	Life on Earth	1996	With Ginger Baker, Albert Collins, Allan Holdsworth, Vivian Campbell.
Belinda Carlise	Belinda	1986	Another POP experience by Nicky... I've never heard the album, but I saw The Go-Go's as opening act of the Police and they are not so bad, but very pop and extremely commercial.
Tamara Champlin	You Won't Get to Heaven Alive	1996	With Bill Champlin from The Sons of Champlin a great band from the 60s. The GREAT drummer Pat Mastelotto (of King Crimson fame) plays here!!
Roger Chapman	Hybrid & Lowdown	1990	With Bob Tench (Jeff Beck and Humble Pie) on lead vocals.
Cheech & Chong	Los Cochinos (“The Pigs” in Spanish)	1973	With Nicky Hopkins, George Harrison, Klaus Voormann, Carole King, and Jim Keltner. Now, I’m gonna make a review a’la Cheech Chong: Hey man, I don’t know how Nicky is credited in these couple of albums, man, as I can’t hear a single note on the piano, man, or any other instrument, man, until the last track man “Basketball Jones” man but man, to hire Nicky and all of the above to play that man, is even more hilarious that the whole discography of C&C and boy those are hilarious albums man LOL man. This is a hilarious album with more comedy and dialogues than music.
Cheech & Chong	Where There's Smoke There's Cheech & Chong (Anthology)		Same as above as this is an anthology. If you buy this for Nicky forget it, this is not the one to buy but you won’t be disappointed at all LOL. It is something like Flo & Eddie and Zappa with them. Pay a visit to their website
John Cipollina	Raven	1980	John was a guitar player for the great Quicksilver Messenger Service.
Clapton Page Beck	Clapton Page Beck	1998	Another version of Nicky Hopkins et al “No Introduction” click here for more
Gene Clark	Under the Silver Moon	1985	Here’s Gene (founding member of the Byrds) album recorded in 1985 but released until 2003 in a 2 CD set with Nicky Hopkins and Rick Danko. Check our photo gallery and the bio space to see photos of the sessions and a tribute tour a year later.
Climax Blues Band	Flying the Flag	1980	The Combination of Nicky with Pete Haycock (G) and Colin Cooper (sax) is great.
Climax Blues Band	Looking for Some	1981	With Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple) on vocals
Coast Road Drive	Delicious and refreshing	1974	With Steve Krieger and Charlie Harrison.
Joe Cocker	I can stand a Little Rain	1974	With Merry Clayton, Jim Price, Jim Horn.
Joe Cocker	Jamaica Say You Will	1975	With Merry Clayton, Bobby Keys, Jim Price.
Joe Cocker	Tours 1977	1977	I met Nicky Hopkins playing with Joe Cocker here in Mexico City (El Toréo de Cuatro Caminos). The audience gave him the longest and most enthusiastic welcome to Nicky on both shows. Nicky loves México, in his first solo album he has “Acapulco 22” and in the second “Sundown in Mexico”. This whole website was done in Mexico City.
Creation	Creation	1998	Recorded in the late 60s with Ron Wood on guitar
Cyril Davies	Country Line Special	1963	7" 45 RPM EP b/w Chicago Calling. The very first official release with Nicky on it. Check the sound samples space to listen it.
Cyril Davies	Preachin’ The Blues	1963	7" 45 RPM EP b/w Sweet Mary. The second official release with Nicky on it. Check the sound samples space to listen it.
Cyril Davies	The Sound of Cyril Davies	1964	Side A: Country Line Special & Chicago Calling / Side B: Preachin’ The Blues & Sweet Mary. The third official release with nothing new. Released to honour Cyril’s dead.
Julian Dawson	Travel On	1995	Never heard this one but seems it’s a good mixture of country and rock. Comments and
Del Shannon	Sessions	1965	Liberty decided not to release the album (some of the material appeared on singles, and much of the rest of the sessions would eventually be issued for the collector market).
Dingoes	Five Times the Sun	1977	Australian band invites Nicky and Garth Hudson (The Band) to play and record. With Broderick Smith, Kerryn Tolhurst, John Dubois and John Lee
Dingoes	Orphans of the Storm	1979	The follow-up of the previous now without Garth.
Lonnie Donegan	Puttin' on the Style	1977	With Ron Wood, Albert Lee, Rory Gallagher, Brian May, Peter Banks, Elton John, Klaus Voormann, Ringo Starr, Gary Brooker, etc.
Lonnie Donegan	Talking guitar blues	1999	A 2 CD set with some tracks from the previous but some outtakes
Lonnie Donegan	Rock Island Line (1955-1967)	2003	A 3CD set with almost all of the tracks from the hard-to-find “Puttin’ on the Style”
Donovan	Barabajagal	1968	The album includes members of the Jeff Beck Group as a guest: Ron Wood, Jeff Beck, (probably Rod Stewart), and Aynsley Dunbar. To note the legendary Donovan Leitch married Linda Lawrence shortly after Brian Jones died and is the stepfather of Julian son of Brian Jones and friend of Rocks Off (check his site here).
Donovan	HMS Donovan	1971	Credited on the album is Mike Thomson but Nicky recorded and some takes with him made it in the final cut.
Donovan	Essence to Essence	1973	With Steve Marriott and Peter Frampton (Humble Pie, both were candidates to replace Mick Taylor), also Carole King on Piano, Henry McCullough, Jim Gordon and Alan Spenner between others.
Donovan	Troubadour: The Definitive Collection 1964-1976	1992	With Ron Wood. A retrospective album with some unreleased tracks and few folk hits he recorded before joining the label and a couple of early demos added
Dramarama	Hi Fi Sci Fi	1993	Mick Taylor was in their first album "Vinyl" 1991 In this album also Benmont Tench plays.
Easybeats	Vigil	1968	Comments will be welcome.
Easybeats	The Shame Just Drained	1978	Comments will be welcome.
Joe Egan	M A P	1981	With Jim Horn on Sax.
Walter Egan	Wild Exhibitions	1983	With Lindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie (yes... Without Stevie Nicks)
The End	Introspection	1969	With Charlie Watts and Bill Wyman.
Family	Family Entertainment	1969	With Rick Grech, Glyn Johns, Rob Townsend, Roger Chapman.
Faster Pussycat	Whipped	1992	One of the few works of Nicky with a heavy metal band. The band: Taime Downe (vocals); Greg Steele (guitar, mandolin, background vocals ); Brent Muscat (guitar, sitar, background vocals); Eric Stacy (bass, background vocals); Brett Bradshaw (drums, percussion, background vocals). The guests: Chuck Kavooras (guitar); Jimmy Z (harmonica, flute, saxophone); Daniel Fornetro (trumpet); Art Velasco (trombone); Nicky Hopkins (piano); Eric Troyer, Bekka Bramlett, Lisa Reveen, Stephanie Weiss, Pasadena Boys Choir (background vocals).
Merell Fankhauser	California Live	1991	This is a fantastic blend of authentic blues, rock'n'roll, surf and boogie with the piano work in evidence: Nicky at his best. In particular, there are two brilliant version of well-known songs: "Blues medley" ("The Spider and the Fly"/"Got me running") and Hendrix's "Red House".
Merell Fankhauser	Jungle Lo Lo Band	1994	Featuring Ed Cassidy from Spirit.
Flash Fearless	Flash Fearless versus the Zorg Woman Parts 5 and 6	1975	He's in 6 tracks out of 10. This album is a must, I love it. Includes Bill Bruford, Eddie Jobson, Jim-Dandy, Alice Cooper, James Dewar, Elkie Brooks, John Entwistle, Maddy Prior, Carmine Appice, Kenny Jones, Justin Hayward, Keith Moon, and Steve Hammond between many others. All tracks with Nicky available as MP3 in this website just click HERE.
Doug Fieger	First Things First	2000	Doug of the Knack with Jeff Baxter, Jim Keltner, Ray Manzarek, Billy Preston, and Benmont Tench. This is one of Nicky’s last recordings! Listen samples HERE
Peter Frampton	Something's Happening	1974	Only four musicians on this album: Peter Frampton, Nicky Hopkins, Rick Willis. And John Headley Down.
Jerry García	Reflections	1975	Recorded in San Francisco in October and November 1975. Jerry Garcia (vocals, guitar, organ, percussion, chimes); Bob Weir (vocals, guitar); Keith Godchaux (piano, tack piano, electric piano, Fender Rhodes piano); Larry Knechtel (piano, Fender Rhodes piano); Nicky Hopkins (piano); John Kahn (Clavinet, organ, synthesizer, vibraphone, bass guitar); Phil Lesh (bass guitar); Mickey Hart (drums, percussion); Ron Tutt, Bill Kreutzmann (drums); Donna Jean Godchaux (background vocals). Merry Clayton plays on Cats under the stars.
Jerry García	Reflections	2005	Same as above but with bonus tracks with Nicky.
Jerry García	All Good Things - Studio Sessions	2004	Remastered versions of Jerry Garcia's five solo studio albums with bonus tracks, a bonus disc of previously unreleased tracks, and a 130 page booklet. Nicky attended the Reflections sessions and some studio jams and toured with Jerry.
Jerry García	Tour	1975	Nicky toured with Jerry… great boots are available!
Art Garfunkel	Breakaway	1975	With Paul Simon, Klaus Voormann and Jim Keltner.
Art Garfunkel	Up ‘til Now	1993	With Paul Simon, Michael Brecker, etc
Lowell George	Thanks I'll eat it here	1979	With Bonnie Raitt.
Giles, Giles and Fripp	The Cheerful Insanity of Giles, Giles and Fripp	1968	I am the proud owner of this album, only 300 copies were released, later a Japanese production made a lot when King Crimson was successful. King Crimson first concert was as opening act of The Rolling Stones in the Hyde Park, before the release of their debut album. Nicky Hopkins was a candidate for King Crimson, but he was very busy in the Beggars Banquet Sessions and with the Jeff Beck Group.
Giles, Giles and Fripp	The Brondesbury Tapes 1968	2004	A CD with outtakes of the above sessions. The CD booklet does not mention Nicky in any track so I’m not sure is he’s here.
Girls Together Outrageously (GTOs)	Permanent Damage MP3 files of this sessions are available at this website, just click HERE	1969	With Frank Zappa (Producer and percussions), Jeff Beck, Rod Stewart, Jimmy Carl Black (The Indian of the Group LOL), Ian Underwood, Roy Estrada and Don Preston (This four were members of The Mothers of Invention) They were touring the UK in 1968 and joined Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart to record this REAL RARITY, that was recorded in England but released only in the USA.
Goldie and the Gingerbreads	Sessions	1965	Another Shel Talmy project, in his own words: “I did that record for Atlantic.  They were terrific.  Ahmet Ertegun liked the record.  They put it out, and it made some noise here but it didn't do a lot.  That was really all I did with them.  I did a bunch of other tracks, in fact Nicky Hopkins sat in, he played piano.  We did a couple of jam sessions with [Goldie] on organ and Nicky on piano, and we had some really nice blues jams, just for fun.  They were a very good band, the only girl band I've ever heard that I thought really played ballsy music”.
Roy Harper	Folkjokeopus	1969	Produced by Shell Talmy who also was the producer of Nicky’s first album. Other musicians include Clem Cattini, Ron Geesin, and Jane Scrivener.
George Harrison	Living in the Material World	1973	With Gary Wright, Klaus Voormann, Ringo Starr, Jim Keltner, etc Recorded at the same time and in the same studio Nicky was recording his second album "The Tim Man was a Dreamer. George’s album was recorded on weekdays and Nicky’s on weekends.
George Harrison	Dark Horses	1974	With Ronnie Wood, Eric Clapton, Alvin Lee, Gary Wright, and Klaus Voormann.
George Harrison	Extra Texture	1975	With Leon Russell, Klaus Voormann, Gary Wright, Billy Preston, Andy Newmark, Jim Keltner,
Jimi Hendrix	Sessions	1969	Jimi jamming with Nicky and Stephen Stills, never released but available in many bootlegs, the most common is “Diamonds in the Dust”. Check the sound samples section in this website to listen portions of this gem. Songs recorded include at least Villanova Junction/Ships Passing in the Night. Jimi playing bass. Recorded during some sessions at the Record Plant Studios, on May 14, 1969, same sessions for Timothy Leary (LSD Guru) album “You Can Be Anyone This Time Around” where Jimi plays in “Live and Let Live”.
Hollywood Stars	Hollywood Stars	1977	With Rolling Stones’ sideman Ollie Brown as conductor and playing Congas,
Nicky Hopkins	The Revolutionary Piano	1966	See his solo section in this website
Nicky Hopkins et al	Jamming With Edward	1972	See his “almost-solo” section in this website
Nicky Hopkins et al	No Introduction Necessary	1968	See his “almost-solo” section in this website
Nicky Hopkins	Tin Man Was a Dreamer	1973	See his solo section in this website
Nicky Hopkins	No More Changes	1975	See his solo section in this website
L. Ron Hubbard	Space Jazz	1983	Soundtrack written L by Ron Hubbard for his book Battlefield Earth, performed by Nicky Hopkins, Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Gayle Moran, Rick Cruzen, Tamia Arbuckle, Fernando Gamboa, Tomo Allison and others.
Julio Iglesias	1100 Bel Air Place	1984	This miserable cocksucker hired a bunch of well-known musicians to make shit. I can't believe musicians like Nicky (who made arrangements in this album). What is unbelievable is that Julio sings in English! IMHO this is the worst thing Nicky ever made... surely with a lot of money in return. J
Insiders	Ghost on the Beach	1987	Successful debut album sold 100,000 copies a nice three-guitars group backed up by Nicky who was the only guest in this sessions. Produced by Gary Holt and Rick Hunolt of Exodus
Jayhawks	Hollywood Town Hall	1992	This alternative country-rock group with two Rolling Stones piano players: Nicky and Benmont Tench playing piano, organ, and keyboards.
Jefferson Airplane	Volunteers	1969	In addition to the golden line-up of the Airplane (see next), other guest musicians include Jerry García (Musical and Spiritual adviser and pedal steel guitar), David Crosby and Stephen Stills.
Jefferson Airplane	Woodstock	1969	He plays the Jefferson Airplane set (see "Woodstock" below)
Jefferson Airplane	Jefferson Airplane	1989	The great comeback of the best line-up (Grace Slick, Paul Kantner, Marty Balin, Jack Cassady and Jorma Kaukonen). Nicky at his best, probably the last masterpiece with Nicky playing.
Jefferson Airplane	Jefferson Airplane Loves You	1992	This excellent box set is full of rarities, outtakes, alternate and unreleased songs including Nicky in many. This album is a must.
John Kay & Company	The Lost Heritage Tapes.	1997	Great sessions by John Kay founder and leader of the legendary band Steppenwolf. The basic band includes Wayne Cook as the main keyboardist and Nicky as a guest in “Down in New Orleans”, and “Hey I’m Alright” only. Note: A mistake in the liner notes does not credit Nicky in the first track.
Matt Kelly	A Wing and a Prayer	1985	With Jerry García, John Cipollina (Quicksilver), Mike Bloomfield, Brent Mydland, Bob Weir, Bill Kreutzmann
Bobby Keys	Bobby Keys	1972	With Jim Price, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Dave Mason, Jack Bruce, Leslie West, Corky Laing, Felix Pappalardi (these three were Mountain), Klaus Voormann, Jim Keltner, and John Uribe.
Killer Dwarfs	Method to the Madness	1992	First and maybe the only "heavy metal" experiment of Nicky. The album is the group with only one guest Nicky.
The Kinks	Kink Kontroversy	1966	Great pianos by Nicky, specially I like “Sitting on a Sofa” and “It’s too late”
The Kinks	Face to Face	1966	One of the tracks in this album, “The Session Man” is dedicated to Nicky and it has a great arrangement and piano by him. Check the pianos of “Rossie Won’t you please come home”, “Too much on mind”, “You’re looking fine”, It’s Late” and “Mr. Pleasant”. This last one was also released as a solo single by Nicky but now an instrumental version produced by Shel Talmy.
The Kinks	Sunny Afternoon	1967	A single “En una tarde de Sol”
The Kinks	To the Bone	1996	Nicky plays in the track “Sunny Afternoon” recorded in 1967
The Kinks	Songs We Sang For Auntie	2001	BBC Sessions 1964-1977 with some tracks with Nicky not available before
Curtis Knight	Second Coming	1974	His first album without Jimi Hendrix, of course it was not the same. Also Fast Eddie Clarke, Chris Perry, John Weir.
Alexis Korner