Chuck Leavell Gives Glimpse Inside His Role As Rolling Stones’ Musical Director
“[W]hen you think about how Mick is engaging the public, that’s his gig, and sometimes it’s not unusual for him to have a question like, ‘Do I come in here?’”
The Rolling Stones’ longtime touring keyboardist and musical director Chuck Leavell is the subject of a new USA Today feature. Leavell gave a glimpse inside what it’s like to direct the legendary rock band.
Chuck Leavell was already a seasoned performer when he joined The Rolling Stones entourage in 1982. Leavell was a member of The Allman Brothers Band in the ‘70s and led his own group, Sea Level. While one might think that the pressure of being The Stones keyboardist, let alone music director, would be a tense gig, Chuck learned something quickly with the band.
“Back in the day with Sea Level or the Allmans, if something would go wrong, I’d tend to get upset,” Leavell told USA Today. “And when I joined the Stones and those moments would occur, it was a lesson learned to just let it go, and don’t dwell on it. Most of the time it all ends up with a laugh.”
The Rolling Stones’ longtime touring keyboardist and musical director Chuck Leavell is the subject of a new USA Today feature. Leavell gave a glimpse inside what it’s like to direct the legendary rock band.
Chuck Leavell was already a seasoned performer when he joined The Rolling Stones entourage in 1982. Leavell was a member of The Allman Brothers Band in the ‘70s and led his own group, Sea Level. While one might think that the pressure of being The Stones keyboardist, let alone music director, would be a tense gig, Chuck learned something quickly with the band.
“Back in the day with Sea Level or the Allmans, if something would go wrong, I’d tend to get upset,” Leavell told USA Today. “And when I joined the Stones and those moments would occur, it was a lesson learned to just let it go, and don’t dwell on it. Most of the time it all ends up with a laugh.”
