Top 10 Best Progressive Rock Keyboardists

The Top Ten

  1. Jim Gilmour

    Classically trained, a true professional who produces rocking melodies like no other.

    Brilliant musician and keyboardist. Creator of fantastic tunes!

    One of my top 10 keyboard players of all time.

  2. Keith Emerson

    Keith Noel Emerson was an English keyboardist and composer. He first gained attention while performing with several local bands. Emerson achieved his first commercial success as the keyboardist of the Nice, a group known for blending classical music with rock.

    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?

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

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

  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. He was best known as the co-founder and keyboardist of the rock band The Doors. Manzarek's distinctive style was a key component of the band's sound.

  5. Rick Wakeman

    Richard Christopher "Rick" Wakeman is an English keyboardist, songwriter, television and radio presenter, and author. He is best known for being a member of the progressive rock band Yes across five tenures between 1971 and 2004. Wakeman has also had a successful solo career and is known for his virtuoso... read more

    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 are astounding.

    Not to mention his musical skills in 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 Topographic Oceans, Going for the One, Anderson Bruford Wakeman 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. He was known for pioneering the fusion of rock with classical and baroque forms. Lord was best known for his work with Deep Purple, as well as his contributions to Whitesnake, Paice Ashton Lord, The Artwoods, and... read more

  8. Geoff Downes

  9. Richard Wright

    Richard William "Rick" Wright was an English musician, composer, singer, and songwriter. He was the main keyboardist and a backing vocalist for the psychedelic and progressive rock band Pink Floyd. Wright contributed significantly to the band's sound on classic albums like The Dark Side of the Moon and... read more

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

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

  10. Mike Pinder

    11. The Newcomers
  11. ?

    Rick van der Linden

  12. ?

    Neal Morse

    Great keyboardist as well as composer.

    13. The Contenders

  13. Rod Argent

  14. Tony Banks

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

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

  15. Tony Kaye

  16. Patrick Moraz

  17. 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. He joined Rush in 1968 and remained with the band until its initial dissolution in 2018 before reuniting with... read more

  18. Jordan Rudess

    Jordan Charles Rudess is an American keyboardist and composer best known as a member of the progressive metal and rock band Dream Theater and the progressive rock supergroup Liquid Tension Experiment. He's been a central figure in their complex musical arrangements since joining Dream Theater in 1999... read more

    Probably the greatest keyboardist ever.

  19. Robert Fripp

    Robert Fripp, born May 16, 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 play in all of the band's line-ups from their inception in the late 1960s to the present. He has also worked extensively... read more

  20. Kerry Minnear

  21. Richard Barbieri

  22. Ian McDonald

  23. Rick Davies

  24. John Evan

  25. Chris Copping

  26. Adam Holzman

  27. Gary Brooker

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