Progs' best Keyboard players
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Forum Name: Top 10s and lists
Forum Description: List all your favourites here
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=90276
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Topic: Progs' best Keyboard players
Posted By: Lifeofprog
Subject: Progs' best Keyboard players
Date Posted: October 24 2012 at 17:12
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This is a tough call,there are so many and most are incredibly competent.If I had to narrow it down to 4 I would say,in no particular order: Keith Emerson,Rick Wakeman,Dave Stewart and Tony Banks. Emerson of course gets the credit for bringing recognition to the keyboard,synth' and prog music in general.Wakeman as well. But I think Tony Banks had been underrated for far too long.In terms of chops he's up there with Emerson.The fact that most of his few solos were in the context of the band as opposed to an out and out solo like Keith leaves little room for him to advance to a more prominent place reserved for such players..His gift is in playing from a tasteful and melodic stand-point.Dave Stewart as well,the guy has got chops,etc but never rec'd the street cred' he deserved. All in all there 4 are my top players.IMO. |
Replies:
Posted By: Sumdeus
Date Posted: October 24 2012 at 18:14
| Christian Burchard of Embryo definitely deserves mention |
Posted By: presdoug
Date Posted: October 24 2012 at 18:19
| Some of my favorites-Keith Emerson, Jurgen Fritz, Jurgen Dollase, Vincent Crane, Peter Robinson, Jasper van't Hof |
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: October 24 2012 at 18:31
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I like Herbie Hancock.
------------- Watching while most appreciating a sunset in the moment need not diminish all the glorious sunsets I have observed before. It can be much like that with music for me. |
Posted By: MFP
Date Posted: October 24 2012 at 19:08
So does Alan Gowen.
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Sumdeus wrote:Posted By: Epignosis
Date Posted: October 24 2012 at 20:11
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Steve Walsh Christopher Buzby ------------- https://epignosis.bandcamp.com/album/a-month-of-sundays" rel="nofollow - https://epignosis.bandcamp.com/album/a-month-of-sundays |
Posted By: progbethyname
Date Posted: October 24 2012 at 20:23
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CLIVE NOLAN of ARENA
KEVIN MOORE of OSI, CHROMA KEY and DREAM THEATER MARTIN ORFORD of IQ TONY BANKS of GENESIS RICK WAKEMAN of YES NATHAN VAN ALLAN of SAVIOUR MACHINE and of course THE GRAND MASTER, KLAUS SCHULTZ. nobody beats him. Nobody!! ------------- Gimmie my headphones now!!! 🎧🤣 |
Posted By: thellama73
Date Posted: October 24 2012 at 20:25
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Vincent Crane, y'all. Come on!
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Posted By: Nash
Date Posted: October 24 2012 at 20:28
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keith emerson and rick wakeman are my favourite ones but...
where is hugh banton!?!? ------------- http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/191/sydbarrettg.jpg/" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: Epignosis
Date Posted: October 24 2012 at 20:43
Probably in England. Relax. ------------- https://epignosis.bandcamp.com/album/a-month-of-sundays" rel="nofollow - https://epignosis.bandcamp.com/album/a-month-of-sundays |
Posted By: Nash
Date Posted: October 24 2012 at 20:46
im ok now (?) hugh banton and i think Rick Wright should also be considered ------------- http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/191/sydbarrettg.jpg/" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: raul_siberian
Date Posted: October 24 2012 at 21:02
Emerson, Wakeman & Banks!!! 
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Posted By: Aquiring the Taste
Date Posted: October 24 2012 at 21:46
| Kerry Minnear is the most gifted Keyboard player I have heard. |
Posted By: RedNightmareKing
Date Posted: October 24 2012 at 23:08
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Joe Zawinul (Miles Davis mainly, other assorted jazz projects) Keith Emerson (ELP, the Nice) Rick Wakeman (Yes) Rick Wright (Pink Floyd) Keith Tippett (Keith Tippett Group, Centipede, King Crimson) ------------- I consider drone metal to be progressive... |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: October 25 2012 at 01:57
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I would like to see Par Lindh get a bit more attention. A big devotee of Emerson and Wakeman but has created some very nice original music with his band (PLP)
Over the last ten years or so I would say him , Fred Schendel (Glass Hammer) and Rob Reed (Magenta) are my favourites.
The seventies was overflowing with great prog keyboard players. Aside from Emerson, Wakeman and Banks:
Patrick Moraz
Eddie Jobson
Rod Argent
Jon Lord (RIP)
Dave Greenslade
Vangelis
Ton Sherpenzeel (Kayak)
Kerry Minnear
and many more
The eighties saw the likes Martin Orford,Clive Nolan ,Mark Kelly continuing the fine tradition. Great keyboard players are part of the very fabric of prog rock imo.
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Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: October 25 2012 at 02:48
DAVE STEWART for me  .......................though there are many.
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Posted By: HannesHolmqvist
Date Posted: October 25 2012 at 03:15
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My number one is Dave Stewart, but also Hugh Banton and Peter Bardens |
Posted By: Moogtron III
Date Posted: October 25 2012 at 03:31
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Already mentioned, but my favorite keyboardists: Eddie Jobson Keith EmersonTony Banks Dave Stewart Rick Wakeman
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Posted By: yanch
Date Posted: October 25 2012 at 06:14
| Banks, Wakeman, Emerson and Minnear for me. In one of Armando Gallo's books about Genesis there is a quote from Emerson saying Banks is the best he'd ever heard. |
Posted By: Earthmover
Date Posted: October 25 2012 at 08:40
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Kerry Minnear, Patrick Moraz, Rick Wright, Keith Tippet, Ray Manzarek (not full blown prog, but somewhere there) And Banton. -------------  |
Posted By: Stool Man
Date Posted: October 25 2012 at 09:16
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Conlon Nancarrow, given a broader definition of prog.
http://otherminds.org/shop/Nancarrowstudies.html" rel="nofollow - http://otherminds.org/shop/Nancarrowstudies.html ------------- rotten hound of the burnie crew |
Posted By: thellama73
Date Posted: October 25 2012 at 09:24
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^Given a broader definition of "keyboard player" as well, but I agree that he is amazing.
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Posted By: presdoug
Date Posted: October 25 2012 at 13:43
 Fantastic player! (RIP) |
Posted By: presdoug
Date Posted: October 25 2012 at 13:51
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Posted By: Sumdeus
Date Posted: October 25 2012 at 14:24
Mike Ratledge of Soft Machine is another favorite of mine. Love his work, and I mean he just looks so goddamn cool and also not necesarily purely prog but Chick Corea is up there as one of my favorite keyboard players for sure, especialyl of the electric piano stuff he did on the early Return To Forever albums |
Posted By: Fox On The Rocks
Date Posted: October 25 2012 at 15:31
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Some of my favourites: Tony Banks  Ray Manzarek Edgar Froese Irmin Schmidt Keith Emerson Rick Wakeman Chick Corea Herbie Hancock Kerry Minnear Michael Ratledge Brian Eno and Kraftwerk! ------------- 
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Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: October 26 2012 at 00:06
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Posted By: watermouse
Date Posted: October 26 2012 at 00:12
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rob moog florian fricke klaus schulze Dieter Moebius Conrad schnitzler karl stockhausen
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Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: October 26 2012 at 01:55
I first stumbled across Par Lindh at the ELP 25th Anniversary get together of fans in Birmingham (1995). He was playing the organ as we filed into the hall!
I bought PLP's debut album Gothic Impressions while I was there and quite possibly from the man himself (I'm a bit vague about this thanks to my ailing memory!). Striking artwork and there was a little sign saying ''Is this Brain Salad Surgery for the 90's?''. Not quite but still very good and not that far behind Angalagard in quality.
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Posted By: presdoug
Date Posted: October 26 2012 at 10:51
That's interesting, your Par Lindh connection-I've never actually heard his music. |
Posted By: progbethyname
Date Posted: October 26 2012 at 12:21
 Brain Eno. Great choice. His work on MUSIC FOR LAND was simply incredible. My favourite from him. ------------- Gimmie my headphones now!!! 🎧🤣 |
Posted By: FunkyHomoSapien
Date Posted: October 26 2012 at 14:32
| Emerson and Wakeman automatic, but what about the guy who influenced them both? And many more besides, Rock's first lead keyboard player, Billy Ritchie. |
Posted By: WisdomBeginsInWonder
Date Posted: October 26 2012 at 16:17
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Keith Emerson
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Posted By: dwill123
Date Posted: October 26 2012 at 19:20
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Jan Hammer Joe Zawinul David Sancious Tony Banks Chick Corea of course Emerson & Wakeman
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Posted By: The Doctor
Date Posted: October 26 2012 at 19:29
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Tony Banks Kerry Minnear Dave Stewart Dave Sinclair Rick Wakeman Robert Jan Stips Keith Emerson John Tout Martin Orford Rod Argent ------------- I can understand your anger at me, but what did the horse I rode in on ever do to you? |
Posted By: prog4evr
Date Posted: October 27 2012 at 21:31
A great list, to which I would add Jan Hammer without hesitation. Also, no one has yet mentioned Michael Pinnella with Symphony X. I am especially referring to his piano work in earlier albums. He is, after all, a Julliard graduate...
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Posted By: Master of Time
Date Posted: October 27 2012 at 21:35
| My favorite would have to be Robert John Godfrey of the Enid. |
Posted By: Throw Sand
Date Posted: October 27 2012 at 23:44
| Kerry Livgren is an underrated keyboardist. I think he's a more skilled composer for keyboard rather than a player, but he can really let it out every now and then. |
Posted By: JeanFrame
Date Posted: October 28 2012 at 04:43
| As is usual, this is a fame poll, not necessarily a quality poll. |
Posted By: Aquiring the Taste
Date Posted: October 29 2012 at 21:21
Agreed. |
Posted By: The Dark Elf
Date Posted: October 29 2012 at 22:36
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Add John Evan to the list.
------------- ...a vigorous circular motion hitherto unknown to the people of this area, but destined to take the place of the mud shark in your mythology... |
Posted By: mongofa
Date Posted: October 29 2012 at 22:57
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Irmin Schmidt, yee ------------- 
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Posted By: alien
Date Posted: October 30 2012 at 08:38
| John Novello |
Posted By: Gandalff
Date Posted: October 30 2012 at 13:26
What? Nobody had mentioned two real Hammond Organ Masters? 
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Bhec6h1j35U/SpeEojCC6gI/AAAAAAAAACw/vro7mOfGZwM/s1600-h/01.jpg" rel="nofollow">  Marián Varga
 Thijs van Leer ------------- A Elbereth Gilthoniel silivren penna míriel o menel aglar elenath! Na-chaered palan-díriel o galadhremmin ennorath, Fanuilos, le linnathon nef aear, sí nef aearon! |
Posted By: timothy leary
Date Posted: October 30 2012 at 14:07
| Hiromi Uehara |
Posted By: JeanFrame
Date Posted: October 30 2012 at 14:32
IMO, there is no such thing as "the best", but Billy Ritchie was certainly the first. |
Posted By: DCracker
Date Posted: October 30 2012 at 15:07
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Jordan Rudess Rick Wright Richard Barbieri |
Posted By: deckard33
Date Posted: November 01 2012 at 15:42
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Wakeman, Banks, Stewart and ... The Nocenzi brothers , From Banco del mutuoso soccorso,
Amazing work on Darwin ! |
Posted By: DaleHauskins
Date Posted: November 01 2012 at 16:47
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Roland Ruckstuhl (of Lucerne Switzerland's Flame Dream) Nick Magnus (The Enid,John & Steve Hackett) ------------- Ｄａｌｅ Ｈａｕｓｋｉｎｓ (858) 401-2973 (310) 293-0432 https://artistecard.com/Dalehauskins |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: November 02 2012 at 03:04
| ^ I like Nick Magnus as well |
Posted By: Einsetumadur
Date Posted: November 02 2012 at 05:43
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Rick Wright Dave Sinclair Dave Stewart Keith Emerson ------------- All in all each man in all men |
Posted By: AtomicCrimsonRush
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 03:36
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I have to mention Santana's early keyboardist Gregg Rolie and his amazing Hammond on their 70s albums such as Abraxas and Caravanserai Simply wonderful keyboards. ------------- 
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Posted By: FunkyHomoSapien
Date Posted: November 04 2012 at 11:35
| so many of these mentioned are journeymen - top class professionals, but not THE elite! |
Posted By: coupons
Date Posted: November 05 2012 at 05:36
| I accept all of the above were very good keyboard players |
Posted By: giselle
Date Posted: November 05 2012 at 05:57
| But some were way ahead of the others, the three mentioned, Emerson, Ritchie, Wakeman. |
Posted By: BrufordFreak
Date Posted: November 05 2012 at 16:24
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"Classic" era (1967-1976): Kerry Minnear "Shadow" era (1977-1988): Ruyichi Sakamoto "Revival" era (1989-2003): Richard Barbieri "Golden" era: (2004 to present): Lalo Huber ------------- Drew Fisher https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: progbethyname
Date Posted: November 05 2012 at 18:43
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Klaus Schultze is still the master for me right now. :) ------------- Gimmie my headphones now!!! 🎧🤣 |
Posted By: FunkyHomoSapien
Date Posted: November 05 2012 at 23:37
agreed.
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Posted By: JeanFrame
Date Posted: November 06 2012 at 00:59
| Every player at that level surely has to have quality in the first place. There are a few - such as these three already mentioned a few times - who stand out from the crowd - but that's not to denigrate all those mentioned who are indeed very fine musicans. |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: November 06 2012 at 03:40
Hell yeah! Together with Edgar Froese that is  ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: November 06 2012 at 23:20
I've said it once, and I'll say it again - DAVE STEWART is whom I consider the best. He may not be to every folks' taste, but his fuzzy Hammond work makes my head fizz  - truly, must have something to do with the frequencies or pitch............
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Posted By: NickHall
Date Posted: November 09 2012 at 16:45
| I can't see it myself, Dave Stewart is an imaginative guy, a fine guitarist, producer, writer, and can turn his hand to decent keyboards too - but surely that isn't what we're supposed to be voting on here? Ritchie, Emerson, Wakeman (in order of appearance, not necssarily quality) is something else entirely, and remains unsurpassed since. |
Posted By: Aussie-Byrd-Brother
Date Posted: November 09 2012 at 16:51
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Oh, no, Nick, you've got it all wrong - NOT the Eurythmics guy!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Stewart_%28keyboardist%29" rel="nofollow - Dave Stewart A knockout keyboard player involved in many of the Canterbury scene bands! |
Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: November 09 2012 at 17:03
 ) is a virtuoso keyboardist, Eurythmics Dave IS NOT..........would I lie to you ???
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Posted By: progbethyname
Date Posted: November 09 2012 at 20:25
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Every year as I get older I appreciate Tony Banks of Genesis more and more as the years go by for me.
Meanwhile, I'm just giving Foxtrot another spin and Banks is rockin the train of synth so well!! Get'em out by Friday is so brilliant.  ------------- Gimmie my headphones now!!! 🎧🤣 |
Posted By: resurrection
Date Posted: November 11 2012 at 01:57
Not only the first, but yes, the best Rock organist. Though it has to be said that Emerson and Wakeman left him for dead in the realms of synths. He never even got there.
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Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: November 12 2012 at 10:11
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Posted By: Einsetumadur
Date Posted: November 12 2012 at 10:46
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This is Dave Stewart.  And at 1:41 he performs one of his trademark solos... a treat! ------------- All in all each man in all men |
Posted By: Bohova
Date Posted: November 12 2012 at 13:05
| Tony Banks. <-Respect! |
Posted By: Einsetumadur
Date Posted: November 12 2012 at 14:03
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Talking about early rock organists: ------------- All in all each man in all men |
Posted By: giselle
Date Posted: November 13 2012 at 13:34
No, one of the best of the rest. Definitely Ritchie for Hammond power, Wakeman & Emerson for synth magic.
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Posted By: BrufordFreak
Date Posted: November 13 2012 at 17:33
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Gotta admit: The TD guys should get their due. Hiromi, too: amazing performer! Chick Corea or Herbie Hancock, anyone? Or Jan Hammer . . . (Just thinking out loud.) So many. ------------- Drew Fisher https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: November 13 2012 at 23:39
| Someone please let me in on who this 'Ritchie' fellow is ????? Never heard him, never heard of him - he must be awesome to be mentioned so many times..............(I gather he's not another Booker T....) |
Posted By: Ivan_Melgar_M
Date Posted: November 14 2012 at 00:45
Iván
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Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: November 14 2012 at 01:56
Another great modern keyboard player is Fred Schendel (Glass Hammer). Have you checked him out Ivan?
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Posted By: Aussie-Byrd-Brother
Date Posted: November 14 2012 at 02:00
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I have two Par Lindh albums, `Gothic Impressions', which, despite some wonderful organ and keyboard overload, is let down a little by some pretty wonky vocals.
But I LOVE the album with the female singer, I think it's called `Veni Vidi Vici'! What a stunning album!! Par Lindh is a major talent!! |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: November 14 2012 at 02:05
Mundus Incompertus is also excellent and also has the excellent Magda Hagberg on vocals ( and violin).
RIP Magda.
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Posted By: Aussie-Byrd-Brother
Date Posted: November 14 2012 at 02:16
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Yes, I thought in the back of my mind I'm sure that Magda (I had a total mental blank on the name) had passed away a year or so ago?
She lives on in the totally stunning progressive release `Veni Vidi Vici' that we can treasure forever.
Thanks for the mention of the `Mundus' CD, I should make that my next Par Lindh purchase! |
Posted By: DiamondDog
Date Posted: November 14 2012 at 07:45
No, you've just been rummaging around the higher end of the spectrum without taking account of the history. Check out Clouds - as 123 they were one of the earliest (and perhaps THE earliest) band to play what would become known as Prog. A major influence on Yes, Crimson, ELP, Bowie to name but a few. As well as all that, Ritchie was the first lead Rock organist, way before Emerson, Wakeman etc etc.
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Posted By: Ivan_Melgar_M
Date Posted: November 14 2012 at 11:02
The beautiful and talented Magdalena Hagsberb (Berg since she married), passed away a couple years ago at the young age of 30, believe caused by brain cancer. She will always be remembered Iván -------------
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Posted By: floydianduck
Date Posted: November 14 2012 at 13:13
| Peter Bardens from Camel |
Posted By: presdoug
Date Posted: November 14 2012 at 15:30
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Posted By: Neroon001
Date Posted: November 18 2012 at 00:59
| Ken Hensley Deep Purple ? new to me |
Posted By: Neroon001
Date Posted: November 18 2012 at 01:30
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not sure about being "Best" but here are a few of my favorites in no particular order Marian Varga Jon Lord Larry Young (jamming with Jimi Hendrix) Sun Ra ( I know he is considered a jazz/Big Band but some of his playing is just great) Herbie Hancock John Medski Klaus Schulze Brian Eno Patrick Moraz (if only for the album he did w/ Bill Bruford that album just floors me ) Dave Stewart ( not the guy with the funky haircut the one from EGG ) Vincent Crane Thijs Van Leer Vitorio Nocenzi Anyone in Tangerine Dream during the early 70's has my attention (Zeit,Rubycon,Richocet,Atem,Phedra,Poland Concert) Mike Ratledge ( just out bloody rageous !) Rave Tsar (plays keyboards for Annie H.from Renaissance he is from my home town and my friends would sit and listen to him play from the side of the road) can't forget George Duke for his work with Frank Zappa Thats it for my favorite "prog related" keyboard players I could list a few dozen more but they are more associated with jazz & classical music
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Posted By: Ivan_Melgar_M
Date Posted: November 18 2012 at 09:15
Yes , it's a lapsus and corrected. I'm a fan uf Uriah Heep and the classicl formation including Hensley, Byron, Kerslake, Thain and Byron, one of the top three formations of any band IMHO. Imagine how good it was that the brilliant John Wetton couldn't take the place of the great Gary Thain Iván -------------
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Posted By: NickHall
Date Posted: November 21 2012 at 16:46
Now I feel like a nerd! But at least it isn't he of the Eurythmics.
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Posted By: NickHall
Date Posted: November 21 2012 at 16:48
He of Clouds (123) the first of the great keyboard players.
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Posted By: The_Jester
Date Posted: November 21 2012 at 20:57
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< ="" ="text/" ="/B1D671CF-E532-4481-99AA-19F420D90332etdefender/huidhui.js?0=0&0=0&0=0">
Kerry Minear! ------------- La victoire est éphémère mais la gloire est éternelle! - Napoléon Bonaparte |
Posted By: geneyesontle
Date Posted: November 21 2012 at 21:01
Good The best.
------------- Poseidon wants to Acquire the Taste of the Fragile Lamb - Derek Adrian Gabriel Anderson, singer of the band Geneyesontle |
Posted By: progbethyname
Date Posted: November 21 2012 at 22:17
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VANGELIS is pretty awesome as well. ------------- Gimmie my headphones now!!! 🎧🤣 |
Posted By: Ambient Hurricanes
Date Posted: November 21 2012 at 22:37
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I like Tony Kaye a lot.
------------- I love dogs, I've always loved dogs |
Posted By: giselle
Date Posted: November 22 2012 at 12:21
| But so many of these mentioned are good or very good pros, not exceptional musicians, which is what I though this was about. It's just developed into naming the keyboard player from your favourite band. |
Posted By: Aragon
Date Posted: November 22 2012 at 12:48
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Mark Kelly and Clive Nolan
------------- http://postimage.org/" rel="nofollow"> 
http://postimage.org/" rel="nofollow - picture hosting |
Posted By: giselle
Date Posted: November 26 2012 at 04:08
| I rest my case. |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: November 26 2012 at 08:33
| Mark Kelly is a great player and has adapted his style well over the years. Nolan perhaps less so but a solid player. Can't see any reason they shouldn't be included on this thread though. |
Posted By: NickHall
Date Posted: November 28 2012 at 15:53
| How about Uncle Tom Cobbley? |
Posted By: jampa17
Date Posted: November 28 2012 at 17:46
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I'll go in a different direction with the choices: 1- Kevin Moore 2- Jordan Rudess 3- David Paich 4- Greg Phillinganes 5- Whoever plays in Ozric Tentacles ------------- |
Posted By: JocBT
Date Posted: January 27 2013 at 21:02
| Steve Walsh of Kansas, he is so often overlooked. Come on, who else can pull off a keyboard headstand mid-song? |
Posted By: Metalmarsh89
Date Posted: January 28 2013 at 00:37
I was afraid no one was going to mention Ruddess. Van Leer is great as well, also because of his many other skills. |
Posted By: Memory Cube
Date Posted: July 20 2013 at 16:38
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I have to go with Eddie Jobson, though mainly for his solo work.
If you like progressive electronic, I would recommend a band called You, especially their album "Time Code". |