Renowned Keyboardist Chuck Leavell Joins Dave Matthews Band For Allman Brothers & Rolling Stones Classics

Dave Matthews Band tapped legendary The Allman Brothers Band/The Rolling Stones keyboardist Chuck Leavell to be the latest guest to sit in with the band during their current Summer Tour 2023. Leavell joined DMB at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre near Atlanta on Tuesday night.

Leavell, who lives on a tree farm outside of Macon, Georgia, began playing with The Allman Brothers Band in 1972, contributing the signature piano solo on the hit instrumental “Jessica.” Leavell’s guest spot on Tuesday began with The Allman Brothers Band’s standout “Melissa,” which was written by Gregg Allman and appeared on the group’s landmark 1972 album Eat A Peach that featured Leavell on keys.

Dave Matthews Band’s first time playing “Melissa” occurred in 2007 when Allman sat in with the group. The song was recently performed by DMB with former Allmans’ guitarist Warren Haynes sitting in. After “Melissa,” Leavell remained onstage for the DMB original “Grace Is Gone.”

In the early-1980s, Leavell became The Rolling Stones’ touring keyboardist, which grew into an ongoing unofficial musical director role. In 1997, Matthews and Leavell shared the stage together when the former sat in with The Stones. Showcasing what he does with that legendary band (as well as his cowbell skills), Leavell’s first time performing with Dave Matthews Band ended with the group’s debut cover of “Honky Tonk Women.”

Prior to Leavell’s guest appearance, Tuesday’s show opened with “Spaceman” for the first time since 2010. The encore began with Matthews offering a solo take on “Baby Blue.” The song off the band’s 2009 album Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King had not been played since December 14, 2012, a gap of 782 shows.

Photos posted by DMB saxophonist Jeff Coffin revealed his old Béla Fleck & The Flecktones bandmate Roy “Futureman” Wooten was in attendance at last night’s show in Alpharetta. View audience-captured video and more from Tuesday’s show below:

Setlist (via DMBAlmanac.com)

Set: Spaceman, #27, One Sweet World, Walk Around the Moon, Fool in the Rain, American Baby Intro » So Right, Monsters, You Might Die Trying, Melissa [1], Grace Is Gone [1], Honky Tonk Women [1], Looking for a Vein, Satellite [fake] » So Damn Lucky, Madman’s Eyes, Lie in Our Graves » Water Into Wine [partial] » You & Me, Pantala Naga Pampa » Rapunzel

Encore: Baby Blue [2], Two Step

Notes:

• [1] with Chuck Leavell on keyboards
• [2] Dave Matthews solo