“In a media landscape that focuses almost exclusively on the tiny minority of musicians who make headlines or achieve millionaire status, Nicky’s career path marks him out as an Everyman, representing the thousands of background players whose talents are vital to the successes of others.”
In the forthcoming biography, And On Piano….Nicky Hopkins, Julian Dawson looks back on Nicky’s illustrious 35-year career as a musician, song-writer, singer and producer.
Session pianist Nicky Hopkins appeared with so many artists during his life that a complete discography is probably impossible, but a list of his better-known clients includes The Beatles (both together and individually), The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Kinks, David Bowie, Steve Miller, Jefferson Airplane, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Van Morrison, Rod Stewart, Donovan, The Jeff Beck Group, Harry Nilsson, Joe Cocker, The Yardbirds, Alexis Korner, Ella Fitzgerald, The Easybeats and the list goes on.
Singer songwriter Julian Dawson boasts a veteran musical career himself having worked with the like of Richard Thompson, Vince Gill, Lucinda Williams, the Roches, Nicky Hopkins and Dan Penn. He has written songs with many of these artists as well as with Rosie Flores, Jules Shear, Willie Nile, Clive Gregson & Dennis Locorriere (Dr. Hook).
In addition to his own work, he has guested with artists from Del Amitri & Glenn Tilbrook to Gerry Rafferty & the Roches. His first production job was for country legend Charlie Louvin’s ‘90s comeback album, ‘The Longest Train’ and he is currently producing tracks with folk-rock legend Beverley Martyn.
Audiences may have seen him at festivals such as Newport (USA), Winnipeg (CA), Cambridge, Glastonbury or Cropredy (UK), on TV’s ‘Rockpalast’ with his own band, on ‘Later With Jools Holland’ with the Richard Thompson Band or on his many tours.
Dawson met Nicky Hopkins in the spring of 1994 and wrote and recorded one song with him before Nicky’s untimely death in Nashville on September 6th that year. He has spent years researching and collecting memorabilia and information about rock music’s greatest pianist and has conducted more than 130 interviews with Nicky’s friends and colleagues.
