(NewsNation) — Former Allman Brothers Band member Chuck Leavell, who has been the Rolling Stones’ principal touring keyboardist since the 1980s, shared fond memories of the longest-living president‘s musical passion and genuine kindness on “NewsNation Now.”
He described first meeting Jimmy Carter in 1973 when the future president was still Georgia’s governor.
While Leavell and his bandmates expected Carter’s gubernatorial visit to be nothing more than a quick photo-op, Carter sat with them for two hours, asking “really great questions about the state of the music business in Georgia.”
“He was such a likable human being. He really was, you know, when you were in his presence, he made you feel comfortable. He was a great listener,” Leavell added, describing Carter as someone who had more than “just a casual love of music.”
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A lifetime friend of Carter’s, Leavell performed at “Carter 100: A Celebration in Song,” which honored the longest-living president’s centennial birthday bash.
Carter passed away in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, on Sunday, Dec. 29, the Carter Center confirmed.
He is survived by his four children, 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. His wife of 77 years, Rosalynn Carter, preceded him in death on Nov. 19, 2023.
