it’s time for the keyboard players to
get a little love welcome to
watchmojo.com and today we’re counting
down our picks for the top ten keyboard
players in Rock for this list we’re
ranking the most popular and influential
rock musicians who utilize the keyboard
as their chosen instrument we will be
omitting Rock piano players such as
Elton John Little Richard
Billy Joel and Jerry Lee Lewis however
as those rock icons deserve a list of
their own
number 10 Billy Preston from this master
of the Hammond organ was known
affectionately as the fifth Beatle
thanks to his credited performances with
the Fab Four on the classic track get
back the career of Billy Preston speaks
volumes on its own however thanks to the
famed keyboardist esteemed solo career
and work on film soundtracks for
slaughter and fast break your softness
confronting through all this Preston was
also known for backing some of the
biggest names in rock on tour including
Little Richard and the Rolling Stones
proving that this keyboard master could
play alongside just about anyone number
9 John Paul Jones Led Zeppelin them
crooked vultures
sure Led Zeppelin legend John Paul Jones
may be best known for his groundbreaking
achievements on the bass guitar
but many classic rock aficionados will
also point to the man’s equally
impressive keyboard abilities as one of
Zepps best-kept secrets
indeed Jones is an incredibly
well-traveled musician one whose
songwriting and originals have placed
him in demand with artists as diverse as
diamanda galas and them crooked vultures
Jones’s keyboard skills have been
spotlighted on many classic rock radio
staples including Led Zeppelin’s Kashmir
no quarter and trampled underfoot
while his work with been crooked
vultures continues to win over fans of
all ages
number eight Jordan Rudess Dream Theater
fans love to debate the ins and outs of
their favorite band including who best
filled that spot behind the keyboards
several talented players have served
time within the Dream Theater ranks
including Derek Sherinian and founding
member Kevin Moore but it’s Jordan
Rudess who currently holds fans rapt
attention as the bands go to keyboard
wizard
RunAs has proven more than capable in
both the technical and theatrical
departments providing melodic chills and
thrills while also connecting with the
audience as an entertaining live
performer
the debate may rage on but Jordan Rudess
is more than game to give fans his all
night after night on the road
number seven get Ely rush
the progressive hardrock titans known as
Rush went through a stylistic shift of
sorts during the early 80s where the
guitar heavy arrangements featured on
such songs as YYZ were replaced with a
thoughtful streamlined and melodic
direction which relied heavily upon
keyboards and synthesizers
it was the band’s bassist and frontman
Geddy Lee who spearheaded this
progression which resulted in the hit
subdivisions and Tom Sawyer
while the analog kid and countdown
served as fan favorite deep cuts where
Lee’s virtuoso playing and keen ear for
melody resulted in some of the band’s
most inspired material
number six Richard Wright Pink Floyd
it isn’t always the flash or the
razzle-dazzle which defines a great
keyboard player but rather the ability
to devise a proper atmosphere
Richard Reich was one of those
keyboardist as evidenced by his work
within Pink Floyd
Wright’s ability to hang back and allow
a soundscape to build and wind its way
around the band’s psychedelic
orchestration served as one of Floyd’s
secret weapons alongside the restrained
drumming of Nick Mason sure Roger Waters
and David Gilmour might have received
all the glory but it was Richard Wright
whose crafty key work made that Floyd
Magic all the more special
number five Tony banks Genesis
the immense body of work which makes up
the career of keyboardist and songwriter
Tony banks is enough to make even the
most accomplished musician jealous
Banks has performed everything from the
intricate progressive symphonies to
stripped-down minimalist soundscapes in
his career as a founding member of
Genesis all the while retaining a
memorable songwriting sense all his own
it takes a special sort of performer to
be as versatile as Tony banks yet this
keyboardist has proven time and time
again that his talent is beyond reproach
number four John Lord deep purple
there are a few keyboardist out there
with as much fiery stage presence or as
many furious technical chops as the
legendary John Lord of deep purple
Lord practically abused his Hammond
organ and other keyboards over the years
engaging in extravagant runs and epic
solo sections with all the electricity
of a lightning storm
it wasn’t always about aggression with
John Lord however as the keyboardist
could also add delicate texture and mood
to a piece as evidenced by his work with
Purple’s mark 3 lineup alongside singer
David Coverdale and bassist Glenn Hughes
number three Rick Wakeman yes there was
little to no room for subtlety when it
came to the magical keyboard world of
Rick Wakeman
this former member of progressive rock
legends yes was known for his
extravagant solo performances on such
albums as the myths and legends of King
Arthur and the knights of the round
table just as much as a symphonic
approach on such yes classics as
roundabout and heart of the sunrise
Weightman would even compose soundtrack
music for the 1981 slasher film the
burning further exemplifying the
keyboardist boundaries smashing approach
to his chosen instrument
number two Ray Manzarek the doors
classic rock icons the doors were one of
the few popular bands of their
generation without a bass player but
there was one very simple reason for
this fact they had Ray Manzarek
this immensely talented keyboardist and
songwriter not only composed and
performed melody lines on his instrument
but Manzarek also handled the low-end
grooves as well in a style which was
completely and utterly unique for the
day
or a band with a public persona so
heavily associated with frontman Jim
Morrison it was nevertheless Ray
Manzarek amazing talent which pushed the
doors music into the annals of rock and
roll histories
before we unveil our final keyboardist
here are a few honorable mentions
number one Keith Emerson Emerson Lake
and Palmer
the keyboard wizard known as Keith
Emerson was a man who wore many creative
hats the English songwriter and arranger
would gain success with both Emerson
Lake and Palmer and the nice early on in
his career before venturing into the
world of film soundtracks which includes
his work on Dario Argento’s cult horror
flick inferno Emerson’s excessive
symphonic flourishes and influence from
classical composers Beethoven and Bach
have defined him as not only as one of
the leading keyboardist from the
progressive rock era but also one of the
most influential men to ever play the
instrument so agree with our list which
keyboard player do you think rocks the
hardest
for more heavy top 10 list published
every day please subscribe to
watchmojo.com
you
get a little love welcome to
watchmojo.com and today we’re counting
down our picks for the top ten keyboard
players in Rock for this list we’re
ranking the most popular and influential
rock musicians who utilize the keyboard
as their chosen instrument we will be
omitting Rock piano players such as
Elton John Little Richard
Billy Joel and Jerry Lee Lewis however
as those rock icons deserve a list of
their own
number 10 Billy Preston from this master
of the Hammond organ was known
affectionately as the fifth Beatle
thanks to his credited performances with
the Fab Four on the classic track get
back the career of Billy Preston speaks
volumes on its own however thanks to the
famed keyboardist esteemed solo career
and work on film soundtracks for
slaughter and fast break your softness
confronting through all this Preston was
also known for backing some of the
biggest names in rock on tour including
Little Richard and the Rolling Stones
proving that this keyboard master could
play alongside just about anyone number
9 John Paul Jones Led Zeppelin them
crooked vultures
sure Led Zeppelin legend John Paul Jones
may be best known for his groundbreaking
achievements on the bass guitar
but many classic rock aficionados will
also point to the man’s equally
impressive keyboard abilities as one of
Zepps best-kept secrets
indeed Jones is an incredibly
well-traveled musician one whose
songwriting and originals have placed
him in demand with artists as diverse as
diamanda galas and them crooked vultures
Jones’s keyboard skills have been
spotlighted on many classic rock radio
staples including Led Zeppelin’s Kashmir
no quarter and trampled underfoot
while his work with been crooked
vultures continues to win over fans of
all ages
number eight Jordan Rudess Dream Theater
fans love to debate the ins and outs of
their favorite band including who best
filled that spot behind the keyboards
several talented players have served
time within the Dream Theater ranks
including Derek Sherinian and founding
member Kevin Moore but it’s Jordan
Rudess who currently holds fans rapt
attention as the bands go to keyboard
wizard
RunAs has proven more than capable in
both the technical and theatrical
departments providing melodic chills and
thrills while also connecting with the
audience as an entertaining live
performer
the debate may rage on but Jordan Rudess
is more than game to give fans his all
night after night on the road
number seven get Ely rush
the progressive hardrock titans known as
Rush went through a stylistic shift of
sorts during the early 80s where the
guitar heavy arrangements featured on
such songs as YYZ were replaced with a
thoughtful streamlined and melodic
direction which relied heavily upon
keyboards and synthesizers
it was the band’s bassist and frontman
Geddy Lee who spearheaded this
progression which resulted in the hit
subdivisions and Tom Sawyer
while the analog kid and countdown
served as fan favorite deep cuts where
Lee’s virtuoso playing and keen ear for
melody resulted in some of the band’s
most inspired material
number six Richard Wright Pink Floyd
it isn’t always the flash or the
razzle-dazzle which defines a great
keyboard player but rather the ability
to devise a proper atmosphere
Richard Reich was one of those
keyboardist as evidenced by his work
within Pink Floyd
Wright’s ability to hang back and allow
a soundscape to build and wind its way
around the band’s psychedelic
orchestration served as one of Floyd’s
secret weapons alongside the restrained
drumming of Nick Mason sure Roger Waters
and David Gilmour might have received
all the glory but it was Richard Wright
whose crafty key work made that Floyd
Magic all the more special
number five Tony banks Genesis
the immense body of work which makes up
the career of keyboardist and songwriter
Tony banks is enough to make even the
most accomplished musician jealous
Banks has performed everything from the
intricate progressive symphonies to
stripped-down minimalist soundscapes in
his career as a founding member of
Genesis all the while retaining a
memorable songwriting sense all his own
it takes a special sort of performer to
be as versatile as Tony banks yet this
keyboardist has proven time and time
again that his talent is beyond reproach
number four John Lord deep purple
there are a few keyboardist out there
with as much fiery stage presence or as
many furious technical chops as the
legendary John Lord of deep purple
Lord practically abused his Hammond
organ and other keyboards over the years
engaging in extravagant runs and epic
solo sections with all the electricity
of a lightning storm
it wasn’t always about aggression with
John Lord however as the keyboardist
could also add delicate texture and mood
to a piece as evidenced by his work with
Purple’s mark 3 lineup alongside singer
David Coverdale and bassist Glenn Hughes
number three Rick Wakeman yes there was
little to no room for subtlety when it
came to the magical keyboard world of
Rick Wakeman
this former member of progressive rock
legends yes was known for his
extravagant solo performances on such
albums as the myths and legends of King
Arthur and the knights of the round
table just as much as a symphonic
approach on such yes classics as
roundabout and heart of the sunrise
Weightman would even compose soundtrack
music for the 1981 slasher film the
burning further exemplifying the
keyboardist boundaries smashing approach
to his chosen instrument
number two Ray Manzarek the doors
classic rock icons the doors were one of
the few popular bands of their
generation without a bass player but
there was one very simple reason for
this fact they had Ray Manzarek
this immensely talented keyboardist and
songwriter not only composed and
performed melody lines on his instrument
but Manzarek also handled the low-end
grooves as well in a style which was
completely and utterly unique for the
day
or a band with a public persona so
heavily associated with frontman Jim
Morrison it was nevertheless Ray
Manzarek amazing talent which pushed the
doors music into the annals of rock and
roll histories
before we unveil our final keyboardist
here are a few honorable mentions
number one Keith Emerson Emerson Lake
and Palmer
the keyboard wizard known as Keith
Emerson was a man who wore many creative
hats the English songwriter and arranger
would gain success with both Emerson
Lake and Palmer and the nice early on in
his career before venturing into the
world of film soundtracks which includes
his work on Dario Argento’s cult horror
flick inferno Emerson’s excessive
symphonic flourishes and influence from
classical composers Beethoven and Bach
have defined him as not only as one of
the leading keyboardist from the
progressive rock era but also one of the
most influential men to ever play the
instrument so agree with our list which
keyboard player do you think rocks the
hardest
for more heavy top 10 list published
every day please subscribe to
watchmojo.com
you
Please follow and like us: