Favourite rock keyboardists?

[jiujitsu_jesus]

Keyboardists and pianists get plenty of kudos in the world of jazz, but they're often a bit sidelined by guitarists in rock; do you have any favourite keyboardists? I'm really just beginning to appreciate how brilliant Rick Wright is; I mean, I'd always liked him, being a member of my favourite band and everything, but I've only just started to realilse what a great musician he is in his own right.

[z0s0_jp]

rick wakeman----of YES

[jiujitsu_jesus]

Rick Wakeman is cool! Somebody bought me one of his solo albums for Christmas last year; I still haven't listened to it, but I hope to get around to it soon. His work with Yes is great.

[z0s0_jp]

Rick Wakeman is cool! Somebody bought me one of his solo albums for Christmas last year; I still haven't listened to it, but I hope to get around to it soon. His work with Yes is great.
with as much time you spend here there is no excuse for not popping it in for a listen....for shame :mad: ;)

[rockonn91]

whatshisname from Steely Dan.

oh wait. nope, thats Jazzish.

the keyboardist for Dream Theater is amazing.

[earthman buck]

The only bands I really like that involve keyboards are Pink Floyd and the Doors, so I'm gonna have to say Rick Wright and Ray Manzarek are my favourites.

Oh wait, I just remembered that John Paul Jones played keyboards in Zep's later years, and he was pretty good at it, too.

[ericthecableguy]

Rudess. Good thing this isn't a 'best' thread...or that would be the only possible answer :D .

[Blues_Man]

I think the guy from Kansas (Band) is really good, and Billy Powell from Skynyrd is great too.

[donf]

I've been listening to Billy Powell a lot lately and he is a great player. Keith Emerson is a phenomenal player.

[HDJ]

I have to go with Jordan Rudess from Dream Theater/Liquid Tension Experiment also....Hell, he went to Julliard at like 12 years old or something....

The old DT keyboardist, Derek Sherinian is up there too....

[Krunek]

Yep... The guy from skynyrd is great... Then, I don"t know what is his name, the guy that played in Europe? Like him a lot... And... Now, you shall laugh at this, but still... Edvard Van Halen... ;) P.S. Just remembered. The guy that accompanies Nina Simone? My baby, for instance? Great job...

[thebluesbreaker]

i like jon lord from deep purple
the guy from the doors is good too

Btw the way if u want to learn theory buy a keyboard. It is so much easier

[Gabriel_S]

Surprised Tony Banks from Genesis hasen't been mentioned yet. Granted their later stuff (80s and 90s) was very Pop Rock orientated, but in their Peter Gabriel and Steve Hackett days Tony was simply brilliant on the keys. So many passages and moods in every song and a superb songwriter to boot.

Honorable metion to Patrick Moranz from the Moody Blues. I believe he had a stint with Yes also after Wakemans departure.

[dvenetian]

Geddy Lee/ Rush is impressive when He's playing keyboards with his feet along with playing Bass and singing all at the same time.
Rick Wakeman is unbelievable, but I agree that Edward Wolfgang Van Halen did the unheard of by incorporating keyboards into his diverse style of music without missing a beat. It made Van Halen Bigger and the fans just accepted the new sound.

[jiujitsu_jesus]

Honorable metion to Patrick Moranz from the Moody Blues.

Hell yes! One of the most underrated keyboardists, from one of the most underrated bands, in prog.

There are some decent players in the power-metal scene as well, like Oliver Patolai from Kamelot and whatsisname from Sonata Arctica.

[jiujitsu_jesus]

The guy that accompanies Nina Simone? My baby, for instance? Great job...

That's Nina Simone playing :p :D

[polansky]

I avoid bands with keybords mostly, if they are used wiselly, I can get a handle with them... but, the one that I really enjoy it has to be Jordan Rudess.

Top gun

And of course in a close second Kevin Moore (previous- DT keybord player)

[aschleman]

http://www.guitartricks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19783&highlight=Haken+Continuum