Best and /or Favorite Keyboardist
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Bands, Artists and Genres Appreciation
Forum Description: Discuss specific prog bands and their members or a specific sub-genre
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=91015
Printed Date: July 18 2025 at 21:52
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Topic: Best and /or Favorite Keyboardist
Posted By: ProgMetaller2112
Subject: Best and /or Favorite Keyboardist
Date Posted: December 12 2012 at 01:33
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Rick Wakeman: Strawbs, Yes,solo Keith Emerson:The Nice, ELP Tony Banks:Genesis Jon Lord:Deep Purple can anyone think of anyone else? |
Replies:
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: December 12 2012 at 02:05
| nope that's it |
Posted By: martinprog77
Date Posted: December 12 2012 at 04:18
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Martin Orford Richard Wright Peter Bardens Mark Kelley Tomas Bodin Derek Sherinian
------------- Nothing can last there are no second chances. Never give a day away. Always live for today. |
Posted By: Blacksword
Date Posted: December 12 2012 at 04:24
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Favourite is Tony Banks.
------------- Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy! |
Posted By: Manuel
Date Posted: December 12 2012 at 10:13
| John Evans of Jethro Tull. |
Posted By: Progosopher
Date Posted: December 12 2012 at 11:03
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Patrick Moraz - Refugee, Yes, Moody Blues, Solo, and in collaboration with Bill Bruford
Joe Zawinaul - Weather Report
Brian Eno - Roxy Music, Solo, in collaraboration with Robert Fripp and David Byrne, and producer extraordinaire
Nick Magnus - Steve Hackett Band, Solo ------------- The world of sound is certainly capable of infinite variety and, were our sense developed, of infinite extensions. -- George Santayana, "The Sense of Beauty" |
Posted By: thellama73
Date Posted: December 12 2012 at 11:10
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Vincent Crane for me.
------------- 
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Posted By: DiamondDog
Date Posted: December 12 2012 at 11:26
| Billy Ritchie of course |
Posted By: DiamondDog
Date Posted: December 12 2012 at 11:29
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PS - Plus the other usual suspects - Keith Emerson Rick Wakeman honorable mention for Vincent Crane (RIP) PPS Rod Argent on electric piano (not on organ/synth!) |
Posted By: progaardvark
Date Posted: December 12 2012 at 12:01
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Often overlooked: Dave Greenslade. ------------- ---------- i'm shopping for a new oil-cured sinus bag that's a happy bag of lettuce this car smells like cartilage nothing beats a good video about fractions |
Posted By: Mr. Maestro
Date Posted: December 12 2012 at 12:14
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Rick Wakeman is my personal favorite. Others favorites: Jem Godfrey Jordan Rudess Fred Schendel Jon Lord Thijs van Leer Erik Norlander ------------- "I am the one who crossed through space...or stayed where I was...or didn't exist in the first place...." |
Posted By: smartpatrol
Date Posted: December 12 2012 at 13:50
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Tony Banks
------------- http://bit.ly/1kqTR8y" rel="nofollow">  The greatest record label of all time! |
Posted By: presdoug
Date Posted: December 12 2012 at 13:56
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Jurgen Fritz (Triumvirat) is my favorite Other favorites Vincent Crane Kristian Schultze Peter Robinson Jurgen Dollase Wolfgang Dauner Jasper van't Hof Eddie Spence Jo Vescovi |
Posted By: Wanorak
Date Posted: December 12 2012 at 14:20
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Tony Banks!! ------------- A GREAT YEAR FOR PROG!!! |
Posted By: Dayvenkirq
Date Posted: December 12 2012 at 15:06
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I know this link is for the 70's keyboardists, but if you do care, go check it out. http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=87193&KW=keyboardist" rel="nofollow - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=87193&KW=keyboardist Best: who gives a s$%t? I don't remember Keith Emerson focusing on the atmosphere just as much as Rick Wright, do I? Favorite: Rick Wright.
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Posted By: Earthmover
Date Posted: December 12 2012 at 15:19
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omg no Kerry Minnear. -------------  |
Posted By: Polymorphia
Date Posted: December 12 2012 at 15:50
 I know. Can you really have a "Best Keyboardist" thread without him and still retain credibility? I'm not so sure. Not to mention Billy Cobham. |
mister nobody wrote:Posted By: Dayvenkirq
Date Posted: December 12 2012 at 15:56
| ^ I didn't know Billy used to play keys. |
Posted By: Hercules
Date Posted: December 12 2012 at 16:07
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Wakeman, Banks and Lord are all great; not quite so fond of Emerson.
I'd add:
Martin Orford (aka God)
Kerry Minnear Pete Bardens
Mark Kelly
Richard Wright
Rick van der Linden
Ken Hensley
Jon Tout
------------- A TVR is not a car. It's a way of life. |
Posted By: mongofa
Date Posted: December 12 2012 at 18:15
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Irmin Schmidt, yo ------------- 
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Posted By: Horizons
Date Posted: December 12 2012 at 18:24
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Tony Banks. ------------- Crushed like a rose in the riverflow. |
Posted By: Polymorphia
Date Posted: December 13 2012 at 09:20
*facepalm* I feel so stupid right now. I don't even know why I wrote this. |
Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: December 13 2012 at 11:56
There are many...but you can't mention Wakeman and Emerson without Moraz and the late great Rick van der Linden of Trace and Ekseption fame.  ------------- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ipg=50&_sop=1&_rdc=1&_ssn=musicosm" rel="nofollow - eBay |
Posted By: Moogtron III
Date Posted: December 13 2012 at 12:15
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Best one: I don't know, I'm not interested in the best keyboardist myself. My favorite keyboardist: that's something else. I never can choose between the guys of my top 4: Eddie Jobson, Tony Banks, Keith Emerson and Rick Wakeman.
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Posted By: infandous
Date Posted: December 13 2012 at 14:12
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Wow, no mention of Robert John Godfrey? I suppose his strength was more in writing and arranging, but still one of the best keyboardists in prog. How about John Tout? I guess if pressed I'd probably go with Wakeman or Emerson though for my all time favorite (I love over the top bombast). |
Posted By: dwill123
Date Posted: December 13 2012 at 16:13
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Tony Banks Rick Wakeman Keith Emerson Joe Zawinul Thijs Van Leer Jan Hammer Chick Corea David Sancious George Duke Brian Auger
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Posted By: Padraic
Date Posted: December 13 2012 at 18:25
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Dave Stewart Patrizio Fariselli Lars Hollmer Keith Tippett and plenty more |
Posted By: Eria Tarka
Date Posted: December 13 2012 at 18:51
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These are my favorites: Kerry Minnear Tony Banks Keith Emerson (of course) Peter Bardens Patrick Moraz |
Posted By: dwill123
Date Posted: December 13 2012 at 21:03
| I forgot to add Chester Thompson and Tom Coster to my list. |
Posted By: Master of Time
Date Posted: December 13 2012 at 21:37
I was just about to mention Robert. He's always the one I mention for these threads. Fantastic musician.
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Posted By: giselle
Date Posted: December 14 2012 at 15:39
Of course.
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Posted By: brainstormer
Date Posted: December 15 2012 at 14:53
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A lot of German names coming up. The keyboardist in Novalis I think is very underrated, as is the band. I think his name is Lutz Rahn, but not sure if he stayed with the band the whole time. I think Novalis is definitively a first tier prog band and will continue to be felt this way in the years to come. A primary reason is the tasteful keyboards. ------------- -- Robert Pearson Regenerative Music http://www.regenerativemusic.net Telical Books http://www.telicalbooks.com ParaMind Brainstorming Software http://www.paramind.net |
Posted By: DaleHauskins
Date Posted: December 15 2012 at 17:39
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Dear old Swiss friend,and band mate Roland Ruckstuhl of my old Switzerland progressive rock band I was a member/guitarist of Flame Dream. My long time dear English brother/friend Nick Magnus. My mentor,and major influence Mr. Keith Jarrett. Switzerland's Patrick Moraz. Old friend Swiss/Irish pianist John Wolf Brennan. Young,new friend Italian/Swiss keyboardist Michele "Mikey Board" Bochicchio. Scotland pianist Patrick Mungo Smythe (May 1923 – 1983). England's,and one the most talented European pianists Gordon James Beck (September16 1936 – November 2011). ------------- Ｄａｌｅ Ｈａｕｓｋｉｎｓ (858) 401-2973 (310) 293-0432 https://artistecard.com/Dalehauskins |
Posted By: Nogbad_The_Bad
Date Posted: December 15 2012 at 19:48
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Dave Stewart & Vincent Crane for me. |
Posted By: presdoug
Date Posted: December 15 2012 at 20:19
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Posted By: Ambient Hurricanes
Date Posted: December 15 2012 at 23:07
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I'm gonna be a conformist today and go with Tony Banks like everyone else.
------------- I love dogs, I've always loved dogs |
Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: December 16 2012 at 00:48
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My friend, Herb Schildt, formerly of Starcastle. To know Herb is to love him. Remarkable man with huge talent. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbert_Schildt#Starcastle" rel="nofollow - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbert_Schildt#Starcastle
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Posted By: Aquiring the Taste
Date Posted: December 16 2012 at 02:06
I know. Can you really have a "Best Keyboardist" thread without him and still retain credibility? I'm not so sure. Not to mention Billy Cobham. [/QUOTE No there is not. Kerry Minnear is the best Keybordist but not the most popular. ------------- Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation. Oscar Wilde, De Profundis, 1905 |
Posted By: JeanFrame
Date Posted: December 19 2012 at 09:25
| Actually the most important keyboard player of the rock era - Billy Ritchie of 123/Clouds. Others took it further, but he was the starting point. |
Posted By: Gerinski
Date Posted: December 19 2012 at 11:32
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Besides those many greats already mentioned I would give some mention to: Pete Bardens
Par Lindh
Steve Walsh and Kerry Livgren (difficult to guess which one of them was playing what in studio albums)
Clive Nolan
Neal Morse
but also many out of the prog world, I bet that even Keith Emerson or Rick Wakeman appreciate these guys (to be watched till the end, don't give up too soon)
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Posted By: Ytse_Jam
Date Posted: December 19 2012 at 15:44
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Posted By: Gerinski
Date Posted: December 20 2012 at 03:45
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Posted By: prog4evr
Date Posted: December 22 2012 at 20:56
| Tony Banks is best; Wakeman is excellent; Emerson is superb. Almost forgot Eddie Jobson - so underrated. And, I will also mention Mark Kelly (Marillion)... |
Posted By: Ytse_Jam
Date Posted: December 23 2012 at 16:52
A gallery of hi-quality prog pics from all over the internet would be great!
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Posted By: brainstormer
Date Posted: December 23 2012 at 17:37
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One reason why I like Emerson is because of the way he is a keyboard orchestrator. I don't think any other rock-oriented keyboardist has done more creative overdubbing. Of course, early Larry Fast, Tomita, and Vangelis are his equals, but even though I like the other usual suspects, because they were working in bigger bands, their overdubbing wasn't really a mastered art. Even in solo work, Wakeman seems to often use a rock ensemble, and his orchestration isn't as interesting. Emerson invents very good synthesizer sounds, and in that respect, he is a real synthesist, which isn't very common in rock keyboardists.
------------- -- Robert Pearson Regenerative Music http://www.regenerativemusic.net Telical Books http://www.telicalbooks.com ParaMind Brainstorming Software http://www.paramind.net |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: December 23 2012 at 17:42
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All I can say is that he plays in a band that sorta rhymes with Pakistan, and that he played the meanest organ in a tune called Nine Feet Underground... ------------- “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: Svetonio
Date Posted: December 23 2012 at 18:42
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http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=2479" rel="nofollow - http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=2479
RIP
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Posted By: igySK
Date Posted: December 24 2012 at 05:48
| Jordan Rudess |
Posted By: resurrection
Date Posted: January 05 2013 at 12:27
| Billy RItchie |
Posted By: timothy leary
Date Posted: January 05 2013 at 13:40
| Hiromi Uehara..........and she looks better than all the before mentioned. |
Posted By: elyougo
Date Posted: January 05 2013 at 14:19
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Esbjorn Svensson Tigran Hamasyan Leszek Mozdzer Gabriel Dupont Bojan Z etc.. ------------- LTDC - penetrates your mind www.latheoriedescordes.com |
Posted By: Narcissidus
Date Posted: January 06 2013 at 14:51
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A small list which is in no way complete: Joe Zawinul Mike Ratledge(can't believe he hasn't been mentioned yet). Dave Sinclair(can't believe he hasn't been mentioned yet). Dave Stewart Kerry Minnear Sven Grünberg(a local keyboard wizard from my own little country from a short lived group called Mess and his later solo stuff). Michael Kobs(Thirsty Moon) Mess is here: |
Posted By: Dayvenkirq
Date Posted: January 06 2013 at 15:37
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Posted By: Dayvenkirq
Date Posted: January 06 2013 at 15:39
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Posted By: Neroon001
Date Posted: January 06 2013 at 15:39
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some of my favorites in no particular order Marian Varga Jon Lord Larry Young Joe Zawinul Sun Ra Herbie Hancock John Medski Klaus Schultze Brian Eno Patrick Moraz Dave Stewart ( The other Dave Stewart) Vincent Crane Thijes Van Leer Vitoria Nocenzi Bill Evans Oscar Peterson Art Tatum Horace Silver anyone associated with Tangerine Dream in the early 70's Esbjorn S. That should be a good start
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Posted By: Sumdeus
Date Posted: January 06 2013 at 15:39
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not truly prog but I have to mention that Ron 'Pigpen' McKernan is another favorite of mine. Great keyboard player as well as harmonica and just a fantastic singer with great stage presence ------------- http://sumdeus.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow - Sumdeus - surreal space/psych/prog journeys |
Posted By: Dayvenkirq
Date Posted: January 06 2013 at 19:18
| ^ RIP. |
Posted By: Sumdeus
Date Posted: January 06 2013 at 19:34
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aye it's sad, but that's what happens when you drink everyday from the age of 15 or 1. It's too bad him and Janis both went so young, would've been interesting to see some real collaborations from them
------------- http://sumdeus.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow - Sumdeus - surreal space/psych/prog journeys |
Posted By: Ivan_Melgar_M
Date Posted: January 06 2013 at 20:15
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Best: 1.- Vitorio Nocenzi 2.- Patrick Moraz (HIs solo starts at 2:1 3.- Jürgen Frirz 4.- Pär Lindh 5.- Thijs Van Leer Favorite: Rick Wakeman SOLO Iván ------------- 
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Posted By: ProgMetaller2112
Date Posted: January 06 2013 at 21:44
I like Keith Emerson but sometimes he's just way too much that I can't really stand him, my faves on this list are Wakeman and Banks
------------- “War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.” ― George Orwell, Nineteen Eighty-Four "Ignorance and Prejudice and Fear walk Hand in Hand"- Neil Peart |
Posted By: timothy leary
Date Posted: January 07 2013 at 11:31
Because she is a really talented woman.
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Posted By: Dayvenkirq
Date Posted: January 07 2013 at 14:14
^ You said "she looks better", so I figured it may have something to do with being handsome. 
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Posted By: timothy leary
Date Posted: January 07 2013 at 15:44
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Posted By: Dayvenkirq
Date Posted: January 07 2013 at 15:59
^ Sounds like a mix of Holdsworth/Gong, Lerxst, and Hackett, taken to a more complex  
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Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: January 07 2013 at 16:02
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Makes you think about what Angelina Jolie would look like playing a moog synthesizer. ------------- “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: Dayvenkirq
Date Posted: January 07 2013 at 16:03
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Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: January 07 2013 at 16:06
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I am not really sure she'd look hot though... might look completely weird.
A tuba on the other hand.....rrrrrraaaaaaauuuww ------------- “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: timothy leary
Date Posted: January 07 2013 at 16:06
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Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: January 07 2013 at 16:17
I mentioned Sinclair... love that guy. He just might have the most distinguishable playing style ever - plus it cooks like hell! ------------- “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: DiamondDog
Date Posted: January 08 2013 at 11:22
| Some of these posts make me despair for the human race |
Posted By: Dayvenkirq
Date Posted: January 08 2013 at 12:35
^ Eh?  Nothing's good enough for you, huh?
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Posted By: timothy leary
Date Posted: January 08 2013 at 12:42
| Let's wait and see what it is he is despairing over. Humor is one of the bright lights of the human race. Despair is something the human race could do w/o. |
Posted By: Dayvenkirq
Date Posted: January 08 2013 at 12:55
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^ Maybe it was his dark, weird humor.
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Posted By: DiamondDog
Date Posted: January 08 2013 at 16:39
| None of that - just depressing to note how musically dumb we are as an audience. |
Posted By: elyougo
Date Posted: January 08 2013 at 17:02
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don't make general statements.. ------------- LTDC - penetrates your mind www.latheoriedescordes.com |
Posted By: timothy leary
Date Posted: January 08 2013 at 17:04
| about subjective experiences |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: January 08 2013 at 17:25
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and gummy bears. We all know better. ------------- “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: Earthmover
Date Posted: January 08 2013 at 18:12
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I love Ray Manzarek. Not fully prog, but I adore his organ and piano work. ------------- |
Posted By: NickHall
Date Posted: January 11 2013 at 18:30
| yep me too, vastly underrated |
Posted By: Sumdeus
Date Posted: January 11 2013 at 18:52
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Manzarek is one of the greatest.
------------- http://sumdeus.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow - Sumdeus - surreal space/psych/prog journeys |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: January 11 2013 at 19:23
But of course he is. Sure as honey. I think he was even awarded with best musician in 68 over Jimi. Not that that says anything really, but you can't deny the man's skills. He was the bass, harmonies and vocal contributor. What he did in some of those live gigs simply defies belief. He's obviously got a brain in each extremity. ------------- “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: Horizons
Date Posted: January 11 2013 at 20:01
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One of my favorite Doors songs is Yes, The River Knows - beautiful lyrics, drumming, vocals and piano.
------------- Crushed like a rose in the riverflow. |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: January 11 2013 at 20:05
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I love that one too.
Also Indian Summer  ------------- “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: Dayvenkirq
Date Posted: January 11 2013 at 21:06
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"The Crystal Ship".
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Posted By: Sumdeus
Date Posted: January 11 2013 at 21:45
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I could list favorite Doors songs forever... such a perfect band
------------- http://sumdeus.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow - Sumdeus - surreal space/psych/prog journeys |
Posted By: rogerthat
Date Posted: January 12 2013 at 21:53
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In prog, my favourite is definitely Rick Wright, followed by Minnear, Correa, Stewart, Correa, maybe Wakeman and Greenwood too. I don't really relate emotionally to Banks's playing style, though I do like the parts that he writes. But barring Wright, my favourites are really outside prog and mainly in jazz/jazz based music - Peterson, Evans, Brubeck, Dennerlein, Rhoda Scott, Stevie Wonder, Fiona Apple. I have only watched and heard Anton Baronin once when Igor Butman came over to play so I won't call him a favourite but I did love his performance in that concert, he was wonderful.
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Posted By: Sumdeus
Date Posted: January 13 2013 at 04:22
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if we speak of jazz my favorite keyboardist is Thelonious.
------------- http://sumdeus.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow - Sumdeus - surreal space/psych/prog journeys |
Posted By: Kirillov
Date Posted: January 15 2013 at 05:20
| Hugh Banton? |
Posted By: Neon Eyes
Date Posted: January 15 2013 at 05:27
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Martin Orford and Clive Nolan... |
Posted By: JeanFrame
Date Posted: January 16 2013 at 09:35
| My vote was for Billy Ritchie, the first lead rock keyboard player, but Ray Manzarek is another very fine musician. |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: January 16 2013 at 15:09
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I thought I would trawl the thread to see who hasn't been mentioned yet (and apologies if I didn't look hard enough)
Vangelis Papathanassiou - forget the synth stuff 1975 and onwards (although I like it). He was very important as a prog musician on Aphrodites Child 666 as well as making some very interesting solo albums such as Earth, Hypothesis and The Dragon.
Rod Argent must also be worth mentioning if only for Hold Your Head Up.
Manfred Mann was a great prog keyboard player in the seventies as well.
Ton Scherpenzeel (Kayak) is always overlooked for some strange reason. Fantastic player especially on the first four Kayak albums.
Good to see mentions for our modern day keyboard heroes Par Lindh,Martin Orford and Fred Schendel.
I also like Richard Barbieri a lot . Could be viewed as the modern equivalent of Richard Wright?! I seem to be the only person who likes the album he did with Steve Hogarth.
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Posted By: Wanorak
Date Posted: January 16 2013 at 19:03
richardh, I thought the album he did with Steve Hogarth was very good, so you're not the only one  ------------- A GREAT YEAR FOR PROG!!! |
Posted By: Horizons
Date Posted: January 16 2013 at 19:14
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What was the album like? ------------- Crushed like a rose in the riverflow. |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: January 17 2013 at 01:51
 |
Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: January 17 2013 at 02:52
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John Hawken gets my vote as favorite, if not best... |
Posted By: Wanorak
Date Posted: January 17 2013 at 12:34
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Horizons, Barbieri and Hogarth's album was very ambient with a lot of little things going on. It's one you really have to LISTEN to carefully to reveal all that's going on. ------------- A GREAT YEAR FOR PROG!!! |
Posted By: M27Barney
Date Posted: January 18 2013 at 06:32
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No mention of Lalo Huber - your'e all just a bunch of philistines............. ------------- Play me my song.....Here it comes again....... |
Posted By: H_To_He
Date Posted: January 19 2013 at 18:34
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Hm...I'd say probably Jordan Rudess, the Hugh Banton/Peter Hammill duo, Nicky Hopkins, Richard Wright and Jon Lord, in that order. I should probably also mention my deep love of Teddy Wilson. |
Posted By: Dayvenkirq
Date Posted: February 02 2013 at 22:57
| It's nice to see at least two people mention Vittorio Nocenzi on this thread (not quite sure how well his bro Gianni did with Banco's music, though), but I'm quite surprised no one mentioned the hot and talented PFM keyboardist Flavio Premoli. |
Posted By: BaldJean
Date Posted: February 03 2013 at 03:12
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Barbara Dennerlein -------------  A shot of me as High Priestess of Gaia during our fall festival. Ceterum censeo principiis obsta |