Top 10 Best Progressive Rock Keyboardists
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.
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. 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.
Raymond Daniel Manczarek, Jr., better known as Ray Manzarek, was an American musician, singer, producer, film director, and author.
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 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.
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.
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.
The Newcomers
Great keyboardist as well as composer.
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 . 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..."
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.
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.
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