Favorite Rock Keyboardist

[mriesenb]

Eric Ragno.

Why on earth is Eddie Van Halen listed?! He's not a 'real' keyboard player. Better add Ragno, Paich, etc.

[Ehwmatt]

Eric Ragno.

Why on earth is Eddie Van Halen listed?! He's not a 'real' keyboard player. Better add Ragno, Paich, etc.

Eddie is great on the piano. He was a piano prodigy before he took up the guitar. Aside from that, he proved through his VH tunes that he could write a catchy piano part or five (Right Now, Love Walks In, Not Enough, of course Jump). The stuff he plays in VH isn't technically amazing or anything, but it's good. Right Now is a better riff than anything Wakeman ever came up with, and I'm a pretty big Yes fan...

[mriesenb]

Eric Ragno.

Why on earth is Eddie Van Halen listed?! He's not a 'real' keyboard player. Better add Ragno, Paich, etc.

Eddie is great on the piano. He was a piano prodigy before he took up the guitar. Aside from that, he proved through his VH tunes that he could write a catchy piano part or five (Right Now, Love Walks In, Not Enough, of course Jump). The stuff he plays in VH isn't technically amazing or anything, but it's good. Right Now is a better riff than anything Wakeman ever came up with, and I'm a pretty big Yes fan...

Still, in a list of 'keyboard players' I would expected Berg, Ragno, Paich, Norlander, rather than EvH. People will remember him as an amazing guitarplayer, not as a great keyboard player. The same goes for Tony MacAlpine, who is a good keyboard player, but known as a guitarist. Same with the late Jeff Healey, who is remembered for his guitar skills, not for his trumpetplaying.

[Ehwmatt]

Eric Ragno.

Why on earth is Eddie Van Halen listed?! He's not a 'real' keyboard player. Better add Ragno, Paich, etc.

Eddie is great on the piano. He was a piano prodigy before he took up the guitar. Aside from that, he proved through his VH tunes that he could write a catchy piano part or five (Right Now, Love Walks In, Not Enough, of course Jump). The stuff he plays in VH isn't technically amazing or anything, but it's good. Right Now is a better riff than anything Wakeman ever came up with, and I'm a pretty big Yes fan...

Still, in a list of 'keyboard players' I would expected Berg, Ragno, Paich, Norlander, rather than EvH. People will remember him as an amazing guitarplayer, not as a great keyboard player. The same goes for Tony MacAlpine, who is a good keyboard player, but known as a guitarist. Same with the late Jeff Healey, who is remembered for his guitar skills, not for his trumpetplaying.

I'm with ya there, Michael. Paich is the most glaring omission for me. He's the man.

[S2M]

I believe I asked for FAVORITE, not BEST/MOST TALENTED...

If we were going for most talented, Wakeman would win hands down. With Walsh coming in a close 2nd. Sorry Charlie....

[mriesenb]

I believe I asked for FAVORITE, not BEST/MOST TALENTED...

If we were going for most talented, Wakeman would win hands down. With Walsh coming in a close 2nd. Sorry Charlie....

Then it's Dave Paich for me.

[stevew2]

Jonathan Cain.

No F word in his name.

He shoulnt even be on the lists you dick inhaler, how about the real Jon {not Friga} Jon Lord from deep purple, he better than all these fuckers

You know about him? Im am impressed

[stevew2]

Here is Titos 2nd favorite fruity keyboard player

[Aaron]

None, key players are fags. The only exceptions are Rolie, Ragno, and G.I. Jim.

[stevew2]

None, key players are fags. The only exceptions are Rolie, Ragno, and G.I. Jim.

And me

[S2M]

None, key players are fags. The only exceptions are Rolie, Ragno, and G.I. Jim.

Way to kiss ass, Aaron....

[SF-Dano]

Vote for Rolie from the list.

Honorable mentions for

Jon Lord of Deep Purple/Whitesnake and the late Billy Powell of Lynrd Skynrd

[stevew2]

Jon lord is lord, he did all his shit with 1 hammond b3

[Pstburp]

Derek Sherinian
Keith Emerson
Tony Banks
Rick Wakeman
Mark Kelly

[G.I.Jim]

None, key players are fags. The only exceptions are Rolie, Ragno, and G.I. Jim.

Thanks! I think my favorites are David Paich, Mick Jones (he plays simple stuff, but it kicks ass!), Cain of course, and Tony Banks. They've written and played on some of my favorite songs, and generally just make me sick with envy! I listen to Paich sometimes and think "Why the hell am I still playing?" DAMN I wish I would have taken piano lessons!

[Ehwmatt]

None, key players are fags. The only exceptions are Rolie, Ragno, and G.I. Jim.

Thanks! I think my favorites are David Paich, Mick Jones (he plays simple stuff, but it kicks ass!), Cain of course, and Tony Banks. They've written and played on some of my favorite songs, and generally just make me sick with envy! I listen to Paich sometimes and think "Why the hell am I still playing?" DAMN I wish I would have taken piano lessons!

Paich is so good. That solo he does on the Amsterdam DVD is amazing.

[S2M]

None, key players are fags. The only exceptions are Rolie, Ragno, and G.I. Jim.

Thanks! I think my favorites are David Paich, Mick Jones (he plays simple stuff, but it kicks ass!), Cain of course, and Tony Banks. They've written and played on some of my favorite songs, and generally just make me sick with envy! I listen to Paich sometimes and think "Why the hell am I still playing?" DAMN I wish I would have taken piano lessons!

I'm going to respond to you Jim, but don't take it as a knock, or a diss.

I listened to some of David's stuff on youtube, as I'm not too familiar with him, or Toto - besides the popular stuff. And I got to tell you that he is a great PIANO player. But I don't think he has any spot in the original context of my poll. Well, other than being your favorite, and I DID say favorite - he fits that. But is he really considered a 'keyboardist'? I mean piano, yes....but he really does Toto's music really lend itself to having a 'keyboardist' in the true sense of the word?

Looking back, I really shouldn't have added EVH, or Geddy...

Your other favorites, Cain, Jones, and Banks - the only one that is a true keyboardist is Banks. I shouldn't have added Cain in the poll either. He's more of a pianist. Rolie is on the cusp, and Jones really isn'y a KBist either....

Again, not to dump on your choices, but I think your choices, along with a couple of others who have rsponded are more piano players than true KBists...

[Ehwmatt]

None, key players are fags. The only exceptions are Rolie, Ragno, and G.I. Jim.

Thanks! I think my favorites are David Paich, Mick Jones (he plays simple stuff, but it kicks ass!), Cain of course, and Tony Banks. They've written and played on some of my favorite songs, and generally just make me sick with envy! I listen to Paich sometimes and think "Why the hell am I still playing?" DAMN I wish I would have taken piano lessons!

I'm going to respond to you Jim, but don't take it as a knock, or a diss.

I listened to some of David's stuff on youtube, as I'm not too familiar with him, or Toto - besides the popular stuff. And I got to tell you that he is a great PIANO player. But I don't think he has any spot in the original context of my poll. Well, other than being your favorite, and I DID say favorite - he fits that. But is he really considered a 'keyboardist'? I mean piano, yes....but he really does Toto's music really lend itself to having a 'keyboardist' in the true sense of the word?

Looking back, I really shouldn't have added EVH, or Geddy...

Your other favorites, Cain, Jones, and Banks - the only one that is a true keyboardist is Banks. I shouldn't have added Cain in the poll either. He's more of a pianist. Rolie is on the cusp, and Jones really isn'y a KBist either....

Again, not to dump on your choices, but I think your choices, along with a couple of others who have rsponded are more piano players than true KBists...

Fail

[S2M]

None, key players are fags. The only exceptions are Rolie, Ragno, and G.I. Jim.

Thanks! I think my favorites are David Paich, Mick Jones (he plays simple stuff, but it kicks ass!), Cain of course, and Tony Banks. They've written and played on some of my favorite songs, and generally just make me sick with envy! I listen to Paich sometimes and think "Why the hell am I still playing?" DAMN I wish I would have taken piano lessons!

I'm going to respond to you Jim, but don't take it as a knock, or a diss.

I listened to some of David's stuff on youtube, as I'm not too familiar with him, or Toto - besides the popular stuff. And I got to tell you that he is a great PIANO player. But I don't think he has any spot in the original context of my poll. Well, other than being your favorite, and I DID say favorite - he fits that. But is he really considered a 'keyboardist'? I mean piano, yes....but he really does Toto's music really lend itself to having a 'keyboardist' in the true sense of the word?

Looking back, I really shouldn't have added EVH, or Geddy...

Your other favorites, Cain, Jones, and Banks - the only one that is a true keyboardist is Banks. I shouldn't have added Cain in the poll either. He's more of a pianist. Rolie is on the cusp, and Jones really isn'y a KBist either....

Again, not to dump on your choices, but I think your choices, along with a couple of others who have rsponded are more piano players than true KBists...

Fail

Explain......

[Ehwmatt]

None, key players are fags. The only exceptions are Rolie, Ragno, and G.I. Jim.

Thanks! I think my favorites are David Paich, Mick Jones (he plays simple stuff, but it kicks ass!), Cain of course, and Tony Banks. They've written and played on some of my favorite songs, and generally just make me sick with envy! I listen to Paich sometimes and think "Why the hell am I still playing?" DAMN I wish I would have taken piano lessons!

I'm going to respond to you Jim, but don't take it as a knock, or a diss.

I listened to some of David's stuff on youtube, as I'm not too familiar with him, or Toto - besides the popular stuff. And I got to tell you that he is a great PIANO player. But I don't think he has any spot in the original context of my poll. Well, other than being your favorite, and I DID say favorite - he fits that. But is he really considered a 'keyboardist'? I mean piano, yes....but he really does Toto's music really lend itself to having a 'keyboardist' in the true sense of the word?

Looking back, I really shouldn't have added EVH, or Geddy...

Your other favorites, Cain, Jones, and Banks - the only one that is a true keyboardist is Banks. I shouldn't have added Cain in the poll either. He's more of a pianist. Rolie is on the cusp, and Jones really isn'y a KBist either....

Again, not to dump on your choices, but I think your choices, along with a couple of others who have rsponded are more piano players than true KBists...

Fail

Explain......

There's plenty of colorful keys all over Toto's catalogue. Same with Journey. I have no idea what you're digging at when you say "true keyboardist" as opposed to using piano sounds, but I think it's someone using a lot of synth sounds? Anyway, you can't just gloss over a few Toto songs on YT and know all there is to know about David Paich. Paich, like Lukather, has been all over the place as a session musician, and even if you listen to every single song in the expansive Toto canon, you aren't hearing anywhere near all of his work. Then when you talk about Rolie being borderline... I don't buy it. Rock keyboards really started with the organ. Rolie is among the best in that category.

More generally, I don't buy the distinction between being a keyboardist and a piano player. Obviously, at heart, it's the same instrument that requires the same technical skills (skill applications can vary - a synth lead is very different from playing a classical piece, but in theory, on a good player, both skills should be there). On top of that, keyboards are keyboards - that can include piano tones, synth leads, string patches, samples etc. If the guy is good at what he does in the context of his rock band, then he's a rock keyboardist. He doesn't need to use sawtooth leads and Moog patches on every song to qualify as a "keyboardist."

[G.I.Jim]

None, key players are fags. The only exceptions are Rolie, Ragno, and G.I. Jim.

Thanks! I think my favorites are David Paich, Mick Jones (he plays simple stuff, but it kicks ass!), Cain of course, and Tony Banks. They've written and played on some of my favorite songs, and generally just make me sick with envy! I listen to Paich sometimes and think "Why the hell am I still playing?" DAMN I wish I would have taken piano lessons!

I'm going to respond to you Jim, but don't take it as a knock, or a diss.

I listened to some of David's stuff on youtube, as I'm not too familiar with him, or Toto - besides the popular stuff. And I got to tell you that he is a great PIANO player. But I don't think he has any spot in the original context of my poll. Well, other than being your favorite, and I DID say favorite - he fits that. But is he really considered a 'keyboardist'? I mean piano, yes....but he really does Toto's music really lend itself to having a 'keyboardist' in the true sense of the word?

Looking back, I really shouldn't have added EVH, or Geddy...

Your other favorites, Cain, Jones, and Banks - the only one that is a true keyboardist is Banks. I shouldn't have added Cain in the poll either. He's more of a pianist. Rolie is on the cusp, and Jones really isn'y a KBist either....

Again, not to dump on your choices, but I think your choices, along with a couple of others who have rsponded are more piano players than true KBists...

Dude, I couldn't disagree with you more. "Separate ways"-synth. "Chain Reaction"-synth. As well as all the synth in the other songs in the catalog. He does play piano, but also uses synth sounds throughout most of their songs.

Paich not a keyboardist? WTF??? He plays nothing BUT keys, and is one of the most profound keyboardists of all time! Name a time you've seen him play piano on stage. Now Jones...okay, I'll give you that, as he mostly plays rhodes pianos. I still consider him a keyboardist though. Maybe you're saying someone that doesn't play analog synthesizers isn't a keyboardist? If so, that's retarded and I just don't understand your criteria for someone to be labeled as a "keyboardist". Please explain!

[S2M]

None, key players are fags. The only exceptions are Rolie, Ragno, and G.I. Jim.

Thanks! I think my favorites are David Paich, Mick Jones (he plays simple stuff, but it kicks ass!), Cain of course, and Tony Banks. They've written and played on some of my favorite songs, and generally just make me sick with envy! I listen to Paich sometimes and think "Why the hell am I still playing?" DAMN I wish I would have taken piano lessons!

I'm going to respond to you Jim, but don't take it as a knock, or a diss.

I listened to some of David's stuff on youtube, as I'm not too familiar with him, or Toto - besides the popular stuff. And I got to tell you that he is a great PIANO player. But I don't think he has any spot in the original context of my poll. Well, other than being your favorite, and I DID say favorite - he fits that. But is he really considered a 'keyboardist'? I mean piano, yes....but he really does Toto's music really lend itself to having a 'keyboardist' in the true sense of the word?

Looking back, I really shouldn't have added EVH, or Geddy...

Your other favorites, Cain, Jones, and Banks - the only one that is a true keyboardist is Banks. I shouldn't have added Cain in the poll either. He's more of a pianist. Rolie is on the cusp, and Jones really isn'y a KBist either....

Again, not to dump on your choices, but I think your choices, along with a couple of others who have rsponded are more piano players than true KBists...

Fail

Explain......

There's plenty of colorful keys all over Toto's catalogue. Same with Journey. I have no idea what you're digging at when you say "true keyboardist" as opposed to using piano sounds, but I think it's someone using a lot of synth sounds? Anyway, you can't just gloss over a few Toto songs on YT and know all there is to know about David Paich. Paich, like Lukather, has been all over the place as a session musician, and even if you listen to every single song in the expansive Toto canon, you aren't hearing anywhere near all of his work. Then when you talk about Rolie being borderline... I don't buy it. Rock keyboards really started with the organ. Rolie is among the best in that category.

More generally, I don't buy the distinction between being a keyboardist and a piano player. Obviously, at heart, it's the same instrument that requires the same technical skills (skill applications can vary - a synth lead is very different from playing a classical piece, but in theory, on a good player, both skills should be there). On top of that, keyboards are keyboards - that can include piano tones, synth leads, string patches, samples etc. If the guy is good at what he does in the context of his rock band, then he's a rock keyboardist. He doesn't need to use sawtooth leads and Moog patches on every song to qualify as a "keyboardist."

Great post.....but let me explain what I mean in a different way.

NOTE: and in NO means am I saying that Paisch, or any other person mentioned in this post sucks. Let's get that right out in the open.

Ok, what I'm talkin about is the Ringo Starr/Whitney Houston disease. Ringo was in, arguably, the best band in the world, but all he could do is keep time, period. But he gets accolaides because of the band he was in, not his 'true' talent, or lack thereof. And Whitney had the chops, but sang crap songs....so in my view - wasted her talent.

I'm not going to sit here and argue(unsuccessfully) who is better than whom, or couldn't carry such and such's jock. BUT, I will say that having a favorite group, and then picking it's keyboard player as a default is hardly credible.

There are plenty of talented Piano players in the world, techincal whizkids that could crap all over Paisch, Rolie, Cain, Walsh, Banks.....etc.

What places one of these pianists/keyboard players apart form the 1000s of others is the way they use their shit in the confines of a song. Now you are going to more familiar than me with most of these things from David, but in my limited exposure to him, jones, Cain, Geddy....etc....I just don't see awhole lot going on there except Starr/Houston syndrome. Sorry.

[donnaplease]

Hey, Ric Ragno isn't on the list!!!!

Hasn't he played with everyone???

Debbie

who the hell is ric ragno

ERIC RAGNO KPOTY 2008

The KPOTY gets my vote!!!

[G.I.Jim]

None, key players are fags. The only exceptions are Rolie, Ragno, and G.I. Jim.

Thanks! I think my favorites are David Paich, Mick Jones (he plays simple stuff, but it kicks ass!), Cain of course, and Tony Banks. They've written and played on some of my favorite songs, and generally just make me sick with envy! I listen to Paich sometimes and think "Why the hell am I still playing?" DAMN I wish I would have taken piano lessons!

I'm going to respond to you Jim, but don't take it as a knock, or a diss.

I listened to some of David's stuff on youtube, as I'm not too familiar with him, or Toto - besides the popular stuff. And I got to tell you that he is a great PIANO player. But I don't think he has any spot in the original context of my poll. Well, other than being your favorite, and I DID say favorite - he fits that. But is he really considered a 'keyboardist'? I mean piano, yes....but he really does Toto's music really lend itself to having a 'keyboardist' in the true sense of the word?

Looking back, I really shouldn't have added EVH, or Geddy...

Your other favorites, Cain, Jones, and Banks - the only one that is a true keyboardist is Banks. I shouldn't have added Cain in the poll either. He's more of a pianist. Rolie is on the cusp, and Jones really isn'y a KBist either....

Again, not to dump on your choices, but I think your choices, along with a couple of others who have rsponded are more piano players than true KBists...

Fail

Explain......

There's plenty of colorful keys all over Toto's catalogue. Same with Journey. I have no idea what you're digging at when you say "true keyboardist" as opposed to using piano sounds, but I think it's someone using a lot of synth sounds? Anyway, you can't just gloss over a few Toto songs on YT and know all there is to know about David Paich. Paich, like Lukather, has been all over the place as a session musician, and even if you listen to every single song in the expansive Toto canon, you aren't hearing anywhere near all of his work. Then when you talk about Rolie being borderline... I don't buy it. Rock keyboards really started with the organ. Rolie is among the best in that category.

More generally, I don't buy the distinction between being a keyboardist and a piano player. Obviously, at heart, it's the same instrument that requires the same technical skills (skill applications can vary - a synth lead is very different from playing a classical piece, but in theory, on a good player, both skills should be there). On top of that, keyboards are keyboards - that can include piano tones, synth leads, string patches, samples etc. If the guy is good at what he does in the context of his rock band, then he's a rock keyboardist. He doesn't need to use sawtooth leads and Moog patches on every song to qualify as a "keyboardist."

Great post.....but let me explain what I mean in a different way.

NOTE: and in NO means am I saying that Paisch, or any other person mentioned in this post sucks. Let's get that right out in the open.

Ok, what I'm talkin about is the Ringo Starr/Whitney Houston disease. Ringo was in, arguably, the best band in the world, but all he could do is keep time, period. But he gets accolaides because of the band he was in, not his 'true' talent, or lack thereof. And Whitney had the chops, but sang crap songs....so in my view - wasted her talent.

I'm not going to sit here and argue(unsuccessfully) who is better than whom, or couldn't carry such and such's jock. BUT, I will say that having a favorite group, and then picking it's keyboard player as a default is hardly credible.

There are plenty of talented Piano players in the world, techincal whizkids that could crap all over Paisch, Rolie, Cain, Walsh, Banks.....etc.

What places one of these pianists/keyboard players apart form the 1000s of others is the way they use their shit in the confines of a song. Now you are going to more familiar than me with most of these things from David, but in my limited exposure to him, jones, Cain, Geddy....etc....I just don't see awhole lot going on there except Starr/Houston syndrome. Sorry.

Man, we just don't see eye to eye on this at all! So you're saying that because Jones isn't the fastest person in the world to be able to run through the scales that he's not great at keyboards? I didn't pick Jones because he's the keyboardist in one of my favorite bands. He's one of my favorites because he writes some kick-ass songs, and is awesome at what he DOES play on the keys. Same with Paich. I didn't pick him because he's in Toto... I picked Toto because of what he and Lukather bring to the table. Your methods of reasoning on this are WAY out of wack!

[S2M]

None, key players are fags. The only exceptions are Rolie, Ragno, and G.I. Jim.

Thanks! I think my favorites are David Paich, Mick Jones (he plays simple stuff, but it kicks ass!), Cain of course, and Tony Banks. They've written and played on some of my favorite songs, and generally just make me sick with envy! I listen to Paich sometimes and think "Why the hell am I still playing?" DAMN I wish I would have taken piano lessons!

I'm going to respond to you Jim, but don't take it as a knock, or a diss.

I listened to some of David's stuff on youtube, as I'm not too familiar with him, or Toto - besides the popular stuff. And I got to tell you that he is a great PIANO player. But I don't think he has any spot in the original context of my poll. Well, other than being your favorite, and I DID say favorite - he fits that. But is he really considered a 'keyboardist'? I mean piano, yes....but he really does Toto's music really lend itself to having a 'keyboardist' in the true sense of the word?

Looking back, I really shouldn't have added EVH, or Geddy...

Your other favorites, Cain, Jones, and Banks - the only one that is a true keyboardist is Banks. I shouldn't have added Cain in the poll either. He's more of a pianist. Rolie is on the cusp, and Jones really isn'y a KBist either....

Again, not to dump on your choices, but I think your choices, along with a couple of others who have rsponded are more piano players than true KBists...

Dude, I couldn't disagree with you more. "Separate ways"-synth. "Chain Reaction"-synth. As well as all the synth in the other songs in the catalog. He does play piano, but also uses synth sounds throughout most of their songs.

Paich not a keyboardist? WTF??? He plays nothing BUT keys, and is one of the most profound keyboardists of all time! Name a time you've seen him play piano on stage. Now Jones...okay, I'll give you that, as he mostly plays rhodes pianos. I still consider him a keyboardist though. Maybe you're saying someone that doesn't play analog synthesizers isn't a keyboardist? If so, that's retarded and I just don't understand your criteria for someone to be labeled as a "keyboardist". Please explain!

Ok, Jim....first of all - don't harp on my literal use of the term 'keyboardist'. Cause you know that Liberace, as gay as it sounds, would dump all over Paisch as far as Pianos go. He is nothing special. No more special than all the rest. If he were a guitarist, he'd be Alex Lifeson.

Again, there as SO many talented Piano players in the music industry. What makes one better than another? Why do most people....well, other than on this board...cause of course Rolie and Cain got the most votes - say Wakeman is the best? Could it be because he stretches the limits of his talents? Could it be that he was constantly shitting(musically) on his contemporaries? Yes to all of the above. I just do not see that same quality in most of the names listed here - other than being picked as a default in a favorite band.

[Ehwmatt]

Great post.....but let me explain what I mean in a different way.

NOTE: and in NO means am I saying that Paisch, or any other person mentioned in this post sucks. Let's get that right out in the open.

Ok, what I'm talkin about is the Ringo Starr/Whitney Houston disease. Ringo was in, arguably, the best band in the world, but all he could do is keep time, period. But he gets accolaides because of the band he was in, not his 'true' talent, or lack thereof. And Whitney had the chops, but sang crap songs....so in my view - wasted her talent.

I'm not going to sit here and argue(unsuccessfully) who is better than whom, or couldn't carry such and such's jock. BUT, I will say that having a favorite group, and then picking it's keyboard player as a default is hardly credible.

There are plenty of talented Piano players in the world, techincal whizkids that could crap all over Paisch, Rolie, Cain, Walsh, Banks.....etc.

What places one of these pianists/keyboard players apart form the 1000s of others is the way they use their shit in the confines of a song. Now you are going to more familiar than me with most of these things from David, but in my limited exposure to him, jones, Cain, Geddy....etc....I just don't see awhole lot going on there except Starr/Houston syndrome. Sorry.

You just made things worse. Sure, there's whiz kids everywhere that can keep up with or even outplay our favorite rock stars. The difference is, the people who get famous can WRITE and PLAY in the context of a song/band. I enjoy anything from power pop to shred guitar to jazz to prog metal. I'm not picking Paich by default. I'm picking him because I enjoy his playing, love his writing, and he is indeed a technical force on the instrument. On the other hand, look at a guy like Wally Bryson, the lead guitarist for The Raspberries. Fuck me, I can play all of his licks and I barely even get time to practice any more. Nothing Malmsteenesque or Petrucciesque going on with Wally. But, he's still one of my favorites because he writes great riffs/songs/licks.

YouTubing Africa and Hold The Line is very disingenuous when it comes to determining how much Paich is capable of or even how much he contributes to his band. The few are not indicative of the whole. Admitting your limited familiarity from one side of your mouth and slamming what you do know from the other just isn't a credible critique in my eyes.

[Ehwmatt]

Ok, Jim....first of all - don't harp on my literal use of the term 'keyboardist'. Cause you know that Liberace, as gay as it sounds, would dump all over Paisch as far as Pianos go. He is nothing special. No more special than all the rest. If he were a guitarist, he'd be Alex Lifeson.

Again, there as SO many talented Piano players in the music industry. What makes one better than another? Why do most people....well, other than on this board...cause of course Rolie and Cain got the most votes - say Wakeman is the best? Could it be because he stretches the limits of his talents? Could it be that he was constantly shitting(musically) on his contemporaries? Yes to all of the above. I just do not see that same quality in most of the names listed here - other than being picked as a default in a favorite band.

Indeed, many talents are out there. Paich is either among the elites of those talents or the countless session gigs he got can be chalked up to incompetent producers/bands bringing him in to play something. I'm willing to bet it's the former.

[S2M]

Great post.....but let me explain what I mean in a different way.

NOTE: and in NO means am I saying that Paisch, or any other person mentioned in this post sucks. Let's get that right out in the open.

Ok, what I'm talkin about is the Ringo Starr/Whitney Houston disease. Ringo was in, arguably, the best band in the world, but all he could do is keep time, period. But he gets accolaides because of the band he was in, not his 'true' talent, or lack thereof. And Whitney had the chops, but sang crap songs....so in my view - wasted her talent.

I'm not going to sit here and argue(unsuccessfully) who is better than whom, or couldn't carry such and such's jock. BUT, I will say that having a favorite group, and then picking it's keyboard player as a default is hardly credible.

There are plenty of talented Piano players in the world, techincal whizkids that could crap all over Paisch, Rolie, Cain, Walsh, Banks.....etc.

What places one of these pianists/keyboard players apart form the 1000s of others is the way they use their shit in the confines of a song. Now you are going to more familiar than me with most of these things from David, but in my limited exposure to him, jones, Cain, Geddy....etc....I just don't see awhole lot going on there except Starr/Houston syndrome. Sorry.

You just made things worse. Sure, there's whiz kids everywhere that can keep up with or even outplay our favorite rock stars. The difference is, the people who get famous can WRITE and PLAY in the context of a song/band. I enjoy anything from power pop to shred guitar to jazz to prog metal. I'm not picking Paich by default. I'm picking him because I enjoy his playing, love his writing, and he is indeed a technical force on the instrument. On the other hand, look at a guy like Wally Bryson, the lead guitarist for The Raspberries. Fuck me, I can play all of his licks and I barely even get time to practice any more. Nothing Malmsteenesque or Petrucciesque going on with Wally. But, he's still one of my favorites because he writes great riffs/songs/licks.

YouTubing Africa and Hold The Line is very disingenuous when it comes to determining how much Paich is capable of or even how much he contributes to his band. The few are not indicative of the whole. Admitting your limited familiarity from one side of your mouth and slamming what you do know from the other just isn't a credible critique in my eyes.

But isn't that what we do ALL THE TIME when someone includes a link in a post? They are fully expecting us to click on it, and come to some conclusion they are trying to get us to make - based on the topic of the thread that the link was included in.....

[bluejeangirl76]

This is entertaining.

I picked Gregg Rolie in this poll. Who got shit to say about it? No one?

Good.

[Ehwmatt]

http://www.toto99.com/disco/daviddisco.shtml

You cannot dispute that. You just can't.