Who Are The 5 Greatest Rock Keyboardists Of All Time? Share Your Picks.

[LinkedMusicians]

Who would you choose as the 5 greatest rock keyboardists of all time? Don’t worry about trying to please anyone else. If you’re picking someone who isn’t well known, please tell us a little about them.

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21

[Peter DeLegge]

1. Keith Emerson – While Emerson’s chops were clearly rooted in classical piano, he was clearly a genius rock keyboardist.

2. Rick Wakeman – Yes, Elton John, David Bowie, solo, The Srawbs, Cat Stevens… I saw Rick with his solo band twice. He is a rock keyboardist master.

3. David Sancious – He is as tasteful as it gets. He has the ability to make even the simplest progressions interesting and beautiful. He’s played with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Sting, Peter Gabriel, etc. I especially love his live playing with Sting.

4. Tony Banks – He may not have the skills of Keith Emerson or Rick Wakeman, but his creativity is second to none.

5. Jan Hammer – I realize some might disagree with classifying Jan Hammer as a rock keyboardist, but beyond his playing with the Jeff Beck Group he also played with Santana, Mick Jager and other rockers.

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31

[MagicRuss]

I’m voting for Manfredd Mann, because anyone who can get away with playing Chopsticks while covering Bruce Springsteen must be a badass.  Although he did a pretty good job on “For You”.

Emerson and Wakeman are of course obvious choices.  Of course all the other Yes keyboard players were pretty damn good.

Nicky Hopkins

Billy Preston

Elton John

Does Ray Charles count?

Ben Folds

My 13 year old self would probably nominate Jon Lord, Don Airey, and whoever else was in that sphere.

I saw Christine McVie on her last tour, and thought she was a lot better than I remembered her being.

Michael MacDonald

 

2

[patrickwichrowski]

1- Vangelis

2- Rick Wakeman

3- Keith Emerson

4- Tony Banks

5- Jon Lord

https://linktr.ee/patrickwichrowski/

https://patrickwichrowski.bandcamp.com/

2

[Peter DeLegge]

@patrickwichrowski I’ve seen every keyboardist on your list except for Vangelis.

LinkedMusicians Founder. Your friend who keeps the beat.

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11

[Dorian Gray]

1. Keith Emerson

 

2. Rick Wakeman

3. Jordan Ruddess

 

4. Derek Sherinian

 

5. Tony Banks

 

I went to six.

6. Patrick Moraz

3

[fossile]

GEOFF DOWNES?

1

[LinkedMusicians]

On fossile said

GEOFF DOWNES?

That’s a start. But you owe us four more! 🙂

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[Magic Pill Music]

Brian Auger

Bill Payne

Billy Powell

Chuck Leavell

Bob Mayo

3

[Peter DeLegge]

On Magic Pill Music said

Brian Auger

Bill Payne

Billy Powell

Chuck Leavell

Bob Mayo

This may surprise you from my doing so many Beatles covers (that’s because I love their music and it’s super easy to play) and my picks being very prog-y, but I was mulling over whether or not to put Billy Powell on the list. My tastes in music are extremely diverse. And yes, they include Southern rock from my childhood like Skynyrd, Allman Brothers, etc. As a kid, I was in love with the piano solo on “I Know a Little.”

[Edit: To be clear, I still love that piano solo! It’s short, but it is total perfection. So tasty!]

LinkedMusicians Founder. Your friend who keeps the beat.

Check out my music. 

1

[dsteinschneider]

1. Gregg Allman – first exposure I had live to a B3 player – started lifetime love of the instrument. He wasn’t always out in front soloing but when he did it fit the song well.
2. Ian Stewart – Nicky Hopkins – Chuck Leavell – I’m putting them together for their Rolling Stones work.
3. Jan Hammer – played at my high school when I was a junior – mind blowing/life changing performance by Mahavishnu Orchestra
4. Steve Winwood
5. Ray Manzarek

1

[Author]

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