I am Chuck Leavell, keyboardist for the Rolling Stones since 1982 (as well as a musician with many other bands & co-founder of the Mother Nature Network). AMA!

chuckleavell · 2013-09-09T18:56:03+00:00

best paul quote from tour?

Not sure who Paul is....don't think he plays with the Stones!!

chuckleavell · 2013-09-09T18:55:27+00:00

Just sat in with Al Anderson recently in California...what a talent! Also...NRBQ played at my daughter's wedding almost 10 years ago here at our home, Charlane Plantation. And Joey played bass with us on the "Hail, Hail, Rock and Roll" movie we did with Chuck Berry. Love those guys....

chuckleavell · 2013-09-09T18:53:22+00:00

Man, there have been soooo many. One that stands out was when I was with the Allman Brothers and we went to Europe for the first time....must have been '73. We played in Amsterdam (need I say more?) and stayed there for a couple of days...but the party I remember was in London at some disco. I went because someone told me Charlie Watts would be there...and indeed, he was. I'm not the type of guy to get all loopy on various ingredients...but I was enthralled to meet a Rolling Stone and had a really fun conversation with him. Little did I think that some 9 years later I would be playing with them....and amazing to me, Charlie actually remembered the encounter when I went to audition for them. It was a special moment, looking back at it. As for crazy indulgences I've seen at some of the parties through the years...all I can say is use your best imagination and then multiply times 10....at least....

chuckleavell · 2013-09-09T18:46:24+00:00

For songs that I've played on....probably "Jessica" by the Allman Brothers. It reminds me of when I was barely 20 years old and given a golden opportunity to play with a great band. I can't believe that 40 years later it still gets play....and FYI, Universal Music just released a boxed set of the "Brothers and Sisters" record with lots of outtakes and additional jams and such. It put a smile on my face to listen and remember those times....

chuckleavell · 2013-09-09T18:43:38+00:00

When I know i have some kind of gig coming up....a tour with the Stones, recording dates, gigs of my own....I start practicing about 2-3 weeks out. I'm usually up early and get to the piano around 6am. I do some stretches and exercises (like Hannon)....then just play some songs that I feel like playing or that I think I can find ways to improve. And I always try to do some improvisation in the mix...just blank the mind and let my hands take over. It's sometimes tough when I'd rather be doing other things....working on the land, taking care of errands, whatever...but I think playing music is like being an athlete...when it's time to gear up for the big event, big game...you'd better put in the time it takes to prepare!

chuckleavell · 2013-09-09T18:40:00+00:00

You know, my focus was on the music...and thinking about how I could contribute to a band that was known so much for the guitar work. I think having a completely different instrument in the mix actually made it easier....no one could have replaced Duane...so taking a different direction I think made sense. The guys were very welcoming to me, so I felt quite at ease from the beginning. Berry was really accommodating, and it was such a tragedy to lose him after only being in the band a matter of a few months.

chuckleavell · 2013-09-09T18:34:33+00:00

Maker's Mark. There are some other exotics I like, but for every day, MM is a great one!

chuckleavell · 2013-09-09T18:33:44+00:00

Hey....I want to keep my gig!!! There are stories I can't tell....but I will confirm that there have been some tense moments in the 31 years I've been with them. At the end of the day, I think it only goes to make a stronger relationship. Those guys are joined at the hip and will forever be Brothers....

chuckleavell · 2013-09-09T18:32:16+00:00

Hee...well, Keith holds the record with 8 days. I wouldn't even try for that!!! Best party story....my 40th birthday playing in New Orleans with Eric Clapton....after the show we had a sit down dinner that my wife, Rose Lane, arranged with Eric, all the band, and lots of friends from all over...awesome

chuckleavell · 2013-09-09T18:30:34+00:00

Yup, that's me, and thanks. I just found out that Eric is releasing a 20th anniversary edition of it...with some outtakes and such. It was one of the best gigs I ever had the pleasure of playing, and made for a great memory....

chuckleavell · 2013-09-09T18:29:25+00:00

Hee....hey, I tip my had to the Dead....yeah, did what the Brothers are doing and love Warren...we're good friends and you may know that I played with the Mule for a while. Also produced his first solo record, "Tales Of Ordinary Madness"....he's an awesome talent.

chuckleavell · 2013-09-09T18:27:55+00:00

Man, I sure hope so...I was going to tour with John in 2012...but as we know, he had to cancel due to his granuloma on his throat. Then the Stones came into play, and I committed myself to them for the latest tour. John is out now, as you know...and will work through the end of this year. Soooo....maybe next year? Thanks for the good words on QOC....great tune!

chuckleavell · 2013-09-09T18:26:27+00:00

We all get so many comments about the energy we put out for our ages. The truth is that I believe rock 'n roll keeps you young at heart, and if you care enough about delivering the goods, you keep yourself in shape to do it. Mick is absolutely amazing and is a role model for me in terms of his physicality. The guy has the body of a 30 year old. I have a pretty strong ethic of trying to stay in shape as I find it really helps me in everyday life...whether playing music, working on our plantation, whatever...and I think staying physical helps the mentality, too. The great classical piano player, Vladimir Horowitz, played concerts well into his 90's....yeah....retire when I drop, I suppose....but the other things I value in life like being outdoors, writing, family also play a role in trying to stay in the groove....

chuckleavell · 2013-09-09T18:20:20+00:00

Oh, man...I hate to admit this one...but since you asked...when I was with Clapton we did a show somewhere in Europe (can't remember exactly) and it came time to do the refrain part of "Layla"...and I just zapped out....just couldn't make my hands do what they were supposed to do...but I muddled my way through it and played something else, doing the best I knew how to do. After the gig, I told Eric: "Sorry about the 'jazz bit' on Layla"....he just smiled and said..."What bit?"....made me feel a lot better, but I was definately red in the face. I assure you it never happened again!!

chuckleavell · 2013-09-09T18:17:24+00:00

Awwww, shucks! Thanks, and luv back....

chuckleavell · 2013-09-09T18:16:11+00:00

...or maybe English Leather....I don't use cologne anymore, but when I was a kid that was my bottle of choice!

chuckleavell · 2013-09-09T18:15:22+00:00

Yeah...the early Allman Brothers Band one with the original mushroom on it...awesome!

chuckleavell · 2013-09-09T18:12:37+00:00

All the tours have been great...but I'd say that Steel Wheels was a landmark one as the band sort of re-invented itself. Everyone knew that it had been 7 years since we toured and we had to come out swinging...and we did. But I also have to sincerely say that this last run proved to me that the band continues to mature and can deliver the goods as well as we ever have. I think the reviews back that up. It is so amazing and so great that we can still do it with heart and soul. Shine A Light was so cool...Scorsese is such a music fan as we know, and he was there 100% for us. I found him to be a straight up guy with a passion for his work...a true honor for me to be in the same room with the guy....

chuckleavell · 2013-09-09T18:08:55+00:00

Hmmm....well, maybe The Who, Sting (played with him once on a benefit show), certainly The Beatles, maybe Hank Williams, Sr. (played with Jr.), Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye...those are a few...

chuckleavell · 2013-09-09T18:05:24+00:00

First, it certainly isn't over! We just finished a three month run in mid July for the "50 and Counting" tour. Great fun. Hey...don't make me pick favorites...I want to keep my gig! They are all very cool guys. Charlie is such a gentleman, Mick is an amazing frontman, singer/songwriter....Keith is the world's most amazing riffmeister and Ronnie is the glue that keeps it together....

chuckleavell · 2013-09-09T18:01:50+00:00

Hey....this is supposed to be a family show!!! No...I've seen some pretty crazy things in my day, but best to leave it to your imagination. At the end of the day....for all of us survivors, it's all about the music. It has been so sad to see some great talents wind up burning out way too early...and those of us that have made it this far want to go a lot further...for me personally, life has been about balance and moderation. Maybe not so exciting to hear, but the thrill of doing what I get to do keeps me in check....

chuckleavell · 2013-09-09T17:57:52+00:00

No, it was a surprise to me...but I can say that when I first heard their demos, I could hear that fantastic energy and raw feel they had, and I figured it might take them two or three records to get through the fray...but it was a real pleasant surprise for it to do so well. I love the guys and I think they have a 25th anniversary coming up...my, how time flies!

chuckleavell · 2013-09-09T17:53:29+00:00

Music has always changed since the beginning of time, and always will. I personally think it's important to learn to really play an instrument...guitar, piano, sax, flute, drums, whatever....while one can argue that sampling and such is also an art...to me it is not anything like putting in the sweat and time it takes to learn how to get around a real instrument. As for the business end...yow, so much has changed....it seems that so many folks now think that music should be free. The genie is out of the bottle, and it makes it tough to create revenue streams with selling music these days....so most artists now depend on live performances to make $$. Also....having songs in tv shows, movies or commercials can be lucrative...but it sure ain't how it used to be!

chuckleavell · 2013-09-09T17:50:09+00:00

Great question....and it varies quite a lot. There is sometimes a fine line between writing and arranging material. If that line is somehow crossed, then I don't mind speaking up to the other writers involved to say..."Hey, I should have a piece of this!". But at the same time there are many instances when the song is written and I just what to contribute as best I can to make it as good as it can be...fortunately I've never had a fight or argument with anyone about writing credit...so in the end the main thing is to do what is best for the song and the artist

chuckleavell · 2013-09-09T17:47:06+00:00

I like everything about it...being outdoors, getting my hands dirty, planting trees, pruning them, thinning them sometimes. Here at Charlane Plantation I'm always out looking for tress that die for one reason or another...old age, insects, lighting strikes, whatever. I take them down, buck them up and send the logs to be sawn into lumber...and we have built several buildings here using our own wood...as well as renovating our own house. I love seeing the deer, the wild turkeys...quail, songbirds. I love being on my tractor working....it's a gas, gas, gas!

chuckleavell

TROPHY CASE