Chuck Leavell Gives Glimpse Inside His Role As Rolling Stones’ Musical Director

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.”

That’s not to say he doesn’t take his role seriously. At the suggestion of a tech, Leavell began “saving almost every song list from rehearsals, set list from shows, notes about cover songs the Stones might attempt and personal scribbles to nudge his own memory since the band’s 1989 Steel Wheels tour. Those details are regularly revisited,” USA Today’s Melissa Ruggieri noted.

“[W]ithout being able to fall back on these priceless records – of chords, keys, arrangements, and other bits of alchemy – we would be truly lost,” Stones guitarist Keith Richards said. “Gold rings on you, Chuck.”

Leavell also detailed his interactions with frontman Mick Jagger.

“Let’s say there is a song we haven’t done for a while, and I’ve refreshed my memory through the notes and go through soundcheck and I’m looking around at everyone to make sure they remember the parts. But when you think about how Mick is engaging the public (on stage), that’s his gig, and sometimes it’s not unusual for him to have a question like, ‘Do I come in here?’ So he can glance at me and with a nod or hand signal (and) I can help him out.”

Head here to read the full feature and check out photos from Chuck’s archives.

The Stones are nearing the end of their Hackney Diamonds Tour. The band will conclude a two show stand in Los Angeles on Saturday before heading to the Bay Area and wrapping the trek in Missouri. Find their itinerary with ticket info below.