greatest prog keyboard player

Kerry Minnear

Gonna have to go with Keith Emerson on this one, although my man is usually Tony Banks. Picking up "Brain Salad Surgery" from my library today, I was blown away by Emer's keys on "Toccata" and "Karn Evil 9".

b_olariu wrote: Tony Banks is one of my favorites musicians ever. I think his skills and way of playing at keys are unique in every way. But i also like Emerson and Wakeman but there is many more great key players that you forget to list here. Where is Kerry Minnear from Gentle Giant, one of the most inteligent and skillfull musician ever where is Ken Hensley from Uriah Heep, very important key player in prog music in my opinion  where is John Lord from Deep Purple  where is John Tout from Renaissance, one of the most inventive key player from his decade  where is Peter Bardens from Camel  where is Hugh Banton from Van der Graaf Generator, and many many stunning musicians that you forget to mention here. They are among my favourites key players from entire prog music, and they are from old school, not to mention others from '80 and '90 and from today. This poll in my opinion is so so, not good not better then others, anyway is forgetable, sorry to be so rude.

I was waiting to see someone say the great John Tout, the most communicative, emotive and least self indulgent (which prog needs more of) of them all. truly brilliant!

By the way if we are including jazz musicians (from jazz rock/fusion) to the list Emerson is no longer the most technical on the list. Although many here will argue (and I feel for you) he is not in the same league as Chick Corea and the like. Great player though.

And by the way, "Piano concerto #1" just proves Emerson did not know how to write a good piano concerto and is a detractor and not a triumph. Not to pick on him, as he is a good player but with virtues and limitations of a rock star.

Tecnically Vittorio Nocenzi and Patrick Moraz are way ahead all the mentioned, not to forget Flavio Premoli neither Jurgen Fritz.

Tony Banks