Nicky Hopkins Piano Room Opens at Pear Tree Park

Launch coincides with formation of new group supporting music scholarships

Left to right : Diana Zajdel, owner of the Pear Tree Park Bistro, The Mayor of Ealing, Paddy Milner at the piano

February 10, 2026

A new community initiative celebrating the life and legacy of legendary rock pianist Nicky Hopkins has been launched in Perivale, following the opening of the Nicky Hopkins Piano Room at Pear Tree Park Bistro on 25 January.

The event, attended by residents, musicians and local dignitaries, was formally opened by the Mayor of Ealing, Cllr Anthony Kelly, who cut the ribbon before guests were welcomed into the new space by Cllr Tariq Mahmood. The Piano Room, created in partnership with bistro owner Diana Zajdel, will host regular live performances and community gatherings.

During the launch, Cllr Mahmood announced the formation of The Friends of Nicky Hopkins, a new group dedicated to raising funds for the Nicky Hopkins Scholarship at the Royal Academy of Music — the same institution where Hopkins himself won a scholarship as a teenager in the 1950s. Residents interested in joining the initiative can contact Cllr Mahmood at tariq.mahmood@ealing.gov.uk. Cllr Mahmood said the project aims to honour a musician whose influence is still felt worldwide.

He added, “Nicky Hopkins’ extraordinary talent and contribution to music continue to inspire generations of artists and fans. With the opening of the Nicky Hopkins Piano Room and the launch of The Friends of Nicky Hopkins, we are not only celebrating his musical genius but also creating opportunities for young musicians to follow in his footsteps. I’m proud that Perivale can play a part in honouring one of Britain’s unsung heroes.”

Although Hopkins went on to record with The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Kinks, Jeff Beck, Joe Cocker and many others, his story began in Ealing, where he grew up and first developed the prodigious talent that would make him the most sought‑after session pianist of the rock era.

The afternoon featured a special performance by Paddy Milner, pianist for Sir Tom Jones and a featured musician in the recent documentary The Session Man: Nicky Hopkins. Milner played several of Hopkins’ compositions on the room’s new piano, setting the tone for what the venue hopes will become a vibrant programme of live music.

Paddy Milner with John Wood

Born in Perivale in 1944, Hopkins attended Warren Road School and later Wembley County Grammar School, but it was his time at the Ealing Club — the birthplace of British rhythm and blues — that proved pivotal. Too young to enter legally, he was often smuggled in by older musicians. There he played alongside future stars including Cyril Davies, Alexis Korner and members of the early Rolling Stones.

Hopkins’ early classical training in west London, combined with the raw R&B scene centred around Ealing Broadway, shaped the distinctive style that would later define tracks such as Sympathy for the Devil, Angie, Revolution, Jealous Guy and You Are So Beautiful. His connection to the borough remained strong throughout his life, and local musicians still regard him as one of Ealing’s greatest cultural exports.

In recognition of his global impact, Hopkins was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2025 and will enter the Musicians Hall of Fame in Nashville later this year.

The Nicky Hopkins Piano Room, located inside Pear Tree Park Bistro on Stockdove Way, aims to become a welcoming space for music lovers, families and local performers. The bistro already serves as a community hub, hosting farmers’ markets, cooking classes and family events.

Owner Diana Zajdel said, “It’s been a dream of mine to create a space where people can relax, share good food and enjoy live music. We’re thrilled that the first notes played in the Nicky Hopkins Piano Room will help inspire new talent and keep Nicky’s legacy alive in our community.”