Under Appreciated Prog Keyboardists

Dick Heath wrote: The Quiet One wrote:   Mike Ratledge: may not be technically great, but the soundscapes he created are unmatchable. BTW, his organ work is pretty great.     Very much support his inclusion, however, left wondering about the statement  "not technically great". I always thought Mike did postgraduate studies in music at Oxford University in the 60's. And listening to some of his improv on Soft Machine's Middle Earth Tapes circa '67, '68 then the competition at that time sounds inferior, for instance  Keith Emerson. He may have got 'lazier' during his tenure in Machine post Hugh Hopper's departure, also muddying the waters with  statements (reported secondhand) that the earlier Machine line-up sometimes felt out of their depth with the jazzers brought in. However, Ratledge in partnership with the fair better known Karl Jenkins, are said to be responsible for what is known nowadays as "cross-over" classical music.

The Quiet One wrote:   Mike Ratledge: may not be technically great, but the soundscapes he created are unmatchable. BTW, his organ work is pretty great.

Edited by Dick Heath - March 08 2011 at 09:45

Vincent Crane

Brian Auger, Morgan Fisher, Gianni Nocenzi (Banco), Patrick Moraz, Mike Garson,
Vincent Crane, Patrizio Fariselli (Area), Alan Park (Beggars Opera), T. Bronsdon? (Bram Stoker) Rod Argent

Jon89 wrote: The late legened Klaus Schonning

That name is totally new to me. Can you tell me a bit about him?

The late legened Klaus Schonning

Jon Lord (Deep Purple). People focus on Blackmore's guitarring and Gillan's screaming, at the expense of Lord's organing.

WyattEarp wrote: Here's one:Tim Blake Keyboardist for both Gong and Hawkwind. In Gong everyone(Including myself) gives credit to Daevid Allen,Gilli Smyth and Steve Hillage. But It was Tim Blake who made those Spacey sounds(Radio Gnome Series) with his keyboard playing. Plus He influenced Steve Hillage who went on to a Out-of-this-World solo career. Plus With those Spacey sounds and influencing Steve Hillage it not only makes him underrated,sorely underrated. I'm talking about he should be mentioned as one of the pioneers of the Space rock genre.

Rod Argent because his history of credibility is often set aside from prog. The Zombies during the British Invasion with hits like "She's Not There" and "Time Of The Season" (late 60's Pop), and his role in the band Argent was considered straight up "Classic Rock" with hits like "Hold Your Head Up" and the semi-famous "God Gave Rock n' Roll to you".  The first indication of him falling into the realm of a universal player would turn up during the electric piano solo in the center of "She's Not There".  It's not a song that I simply go for but to play a piano solo of that nature in the center of a pop song during 1964 or 1965 is bizzare. Through the years I purchased Argent titles and was amazed at the keyboard work on "Ring Of Hands". There is always a hit or 2 on each Argent title then proceeding to get progressive throughout. At one time he was dressing in a cloak along with everyone else in prog that may have worn tights, capes, or robes. He tried to give himself that image. He really didn't need to. He was an outstanding keyboardist with great knowledge of different musical styles. But he is not truly thought of in that particular way because somewhere along the line, his career moves may have caused fans of prog to maybe get the wrong impression of him.