This has been a  long fought debate among rock fans. I think that keyboards are an integral part of rock music. Keyboards have been around from the birth of rock, to its current evolution. Like everything else keyboards can be (in my opinion) misused in rock music. Again everything in this post is just my opinion and is open for (and welcomed) discussion. Let’s get crackin’:

Some early rock songs had a prominent piano sound in them that was integral to the sound. Let’s look at a video from Jerry Lee Lewis for 1957:

Jerry Lee Lewis made this song come alive with the piano. The song was rockin’ for it’s time and it would not be the same without the piano.

The Doors brought forth some great keyboard laden music on the late 60’s. Ray Manzarek took keyboards and made them cooler. The distinct sound of Ray’s playing gave the Doors  their signature sound.

Foreigner in its early incarnation brought some great songs. Who doesn’t recognize the intro by Al Greenwood to “Cold As Ice”? This song was rocking us back in ’77. Although I was personally unhappy with the direction Foreigner took later on, these early songs remain dear to me.

Up until the release of Van Halen’s “1984” keyboards were not a part of the band. “Jump” took me by surprise, it was even a cool keyboard riff. What was happening to my hard rocking band???? But, it was Van Halen so most of us forgave them….maybe.

In the 90’s Guns N’ Roses gave us “November Rain”. Axl Rose and Dizzy Reed provided the keyboard/piano work for this epic song. People liked the song but I felt it was the beginning of the end  for that hard charging five pieve (originally) band. Good song though.

“Du Hast” is one of those songs where the keyboard has no place in my opinion.  Christian “Flake” Lorenz is adept as playing but the “keyboard riff” just confuses me in this song.

Those are but a few of “keyboard” heavy songs that come to mind. Here are some keyboard players worth noting and you should definitely check out their work:

Billy Preston

Mike Garson (David Bowie, Smashing Pumpkins)

Jon Lord (Deep Purple)

Keith Emerson (ELP)

Stevie Wonder

Warren Zevon

Joe Jackson

Fats Domino

Paul Carrack

Rufus Wainwright

Donald Fagan (Steely Dan)

Roy Bittan (Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band)

Benmont Tench (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers)

Gary Wright

Jackson Browne

Richard Manuel (The Band)

Bill Payne (Little Feat)

Gregg Allman (The Allman Brothers Band)

Chuck Leavell (Session player, Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, The Black Crowes)

I am going to leave you with one of my favorite keyboard heavy songs:

“Bohemian Rhapsody”, Freddie Mercury’s piano playing on this is a beautiful thing. The song is timeless and is an art form to be cherished forever.

Thanks Freddie you will always live in our hearts and our ears.

the Hellion

(I will be revisiting this topic)