Chuck Leavell: On Piano With the Rolling Stones

This interview took place on July 14, 1994, while the Rolling Stones were rehearsing at Toronto’s Crescent School for their upcoming Voodoo Lounge tour. By then Chuck Leavell had already spent a dozen years playing keyboards with the Rolling Stones. He'd also been a member of the Allman Brothers Band and Sea Level, and had worked as a session musician for Aretha Franklin, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, the Black Crowes, and many others. Thirty years later, Chuck is still manning the 88s for the Rolling Stones onstage and in the studio.

Leavell has been called the Rolling Stones' "unofficial musical director." The night before the interview, Keith had invited me to watch the band's rehearsal. On several occasions, I saw Mick and Keith turn to Chuck for musical suggestions and reminders of how to play parts of their repertoire.

My conversation with Chuck took place the next morning in the school’s cafeteria. He was personable and articulate as we discussed his predecessor, Ian Stewart, and his impressions of Mick and Keith’s skills on piano and how they write songs. We also talked about Bill Wyman’s approach to bass compared to that of newcomer Darryl Jones and why Charlie Watts has such a distinctive drum sound. Naturally, we delved into Chuck’s role in the Rolling Stones as well.

This was taped during a two-day period when I also interviewed Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Ronnie Wood, and Darryl Jones. Transcriptions of these originally appeared in "The Rolling Stones: Inside the Voodoo Lounge," a one-shot magazine sold at venues and newsstands during the Rolling Stones’ 1994-1995 World Tour. Audio of the Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, Charlie Watts, and Ronnie Wood interviews is already available on YouTube, and the Darryl Jones will soon be posted. I hope you enjoy these conversations!

Thanks to engineer/producer Nik Hunt for filming the intro and enhancing the sound of the 30-year-old master tape.

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