Best Progressive Rock Keyboardists

The Top Ten
1 Jim Gilmour

Classically trained true pro that produces rocking melodies like no other

One of my top 10 keyboard player of all time

Brilliant musician & keyboardist... creater of fantastic tunes!

2 Keith Emerson Keith Noel Emerson was an English keyboardist and composer. Emerson played in a number of bands before he found his first commercial success with the Nice.

Just listen to ELP's self titled. The guy's phenomenal.

Greatest ever with a stage presence to match

Simply put - Keith is #1, 2, and 3. Yes, he was that good, that talented, that brilliant.

Listen to Tarkus, listen to Karn Evil 9. Then you will understand.

by the way, why is Rick Wakeman #5? Isn't he supposed to be the second best?

3 Jurgen Fritz
4 Ray Manzarek Raymond Daniel Manczarek, Jr., better known as Ray Manzarek, was an American musician, singer, producer, film director, and author.
5 Rick Wakeman Richard Christopher "Rick" Wakeman is an English keyboardist, songwriter, television and radio presenter, and author.

Wakeman beats someone like Jordan Rudess for me because not only are his technique, speed and improvisation skills utterly amazing but the feeling and emotion that he channels through his music is astounding. Not to mention his musical skills such as composition, arrangement, etc

All of these players are great but I personally believe Rick Wakeman is the best. If you need proof just listen to Fragile, Close to the Edge, Tales from Topographical Oceans, Going for the One; Anderson, Bruford, Wakemon, Howe; and his Life on Mars piano tribute to David Bowie.

6 Peter Bardens
7 Jon Lord Jonathan Douglas "Jon" Lord was an English composer, pianist, and Hammond organ player known for his pioneering work in fusing rock with classical or baroque forms, especially with Deep Purple, as well as Whitesnake, Paice Ashton Lord, The Artwoods, and The Flower Pot Men.
8 Geoff Downes
9 Rod Argent
10 Richard Wright Richard William "Rick" Wright was an English musician, composer, singer and songwriter. He was the main keyboardist and a backup vocalist for the psychedelic and progressive English rock band, Pink Floyd .

It's interesting that Keith Emerson once said when talking about Progressive Rock keyboardists, "There's Richard Wright and the rest of us..."!

Definitely one of my favourite keyboardists, and an extremely underrated singer.

The Contenders
11 Tony Banks

Years later, his keyboard contributions stand out as the most memorable, tasteful, epic, beautiful.

The biggest genius in music. He deserves the top spot.

12 Tony Kaye
13 Patrick Moraz
14 Geddy Lee Gary Lee Weinrib, known professionally as Geddy Lee, is a Canadian musician, singer and songwriter best known as the lead vocalist, bassist, and keyboardist for the Canadian rock group Rush.
15 Jordan Rudess Jordan Rudess is an American keyboardist and composer best known as a member of the progressive metal/rock band Dream Theater and the progressive rock supergroup Liquid Tension Experiment.

Probably the greatest keyboardist ever

16 Robert Fripp Robert Fripp (born 16 May 1946) is an English guitarist, composer and record producer. As a guitarist for the progressive rock band King Crimson, Fripp has been the only member to have played in all of King Crimson's line-ups from their inception in the late 1960s to the present. He has also worked ...read more.
17 Jon Anderson John Roy Anderson, known professionally as Jon Anderson, is an English singer, songwriter, and musician best known as the former lead singer of the progressive rock band Yes, which he co-founded in 1968 with bassist Chris Squire.
18 Kerry Minnear
19 Richard Barbieri
20 Mike Pinder
21 Ian McDonald
22 Rick Davies
23 John Evan
24 Chris Copping
25 Adam Holzman
8Load More
PSearch List