My Favorite Keyboard Players (Part One)

Keith Emerson was a groundbreaking British keyboardist and composer, best known as a founding member of the progressive rock supergroup Emerson, Lake & Palmer (ELP). Renowned for his virtuosic technique, Emerson merged classical music with rock in innovative ways,

often using the Moog synthesizer, Hammond organ, and piano to create bold, dramatic soundscapes. His showmanship—knives in keyboards, flipping pianos—matched his technical brilliance, making him a central figure in 1970s progressive rock. Emerson passed away on March 11, 2016, at age 71.

He is survived by his longtime partner Mari Kawaguchi and his son, Aaron Emerson, who is also a keyboardist. Emerson’s influence endures among keyboardists and composers across genres, admired for expanding the instrument’s role in rock music.

Rick Wakeman is a legendary English keyboardist and composer, best known for his work with the progressive rock band Yes and for his ambitious solo concept albums. A classically trained pianist, Wakeman brought dazzling virtuosity to rock music,

mastering a vast array of keyboards including the Minimoog, Mellotron, Hammond organ, and grand piano. His intricate, flamboyant playing defined albums like Fragile and Close to the Edge, while his solo works—

such as The Six Wives of Henry VIII and Journey to the Centre of the Earth—showcased his fusion of classical themes with rock dynamics. Known for his theatrical flair and caped stage attire, Wakeman played a crucial role in elevating the keyboard as a lead instrument in rock.

Eumir Deodato was a Brazilian keyboardist, composer, arranger, and producer celebrated for his genre-blending style that fused jazz, funk, classical, and Brazilian rhythms. A master of electric piano and synthesizers, Deodato gained international fame with his Grammy-winning

1973 rendition of Richard Strauss’s Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001), which showcased his lush arrangements and virtuosic keyboard work. Over his prolific career, he collaborated with artists like Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, and Björk,

and produced albums for Kool & the Gang and others. Deodato passed away on January 29, 2024, at the age of 81. He is survived by his daughter, Kennya Baldwin, and his grandchildren, including actor and singer Justin Bieber’s wife, Hailey Baldwin Bieber.

Gershon Kingsley was a pioneering German-American composer and keyboardist whose innovative use of synthesizers helped shape electronic music. Born Götz Gustav Ksinski in Bochum, Germany, in 1922, he fled Nazi persecution in 1938,

eventually settling in the United States in 1946 . Kingsley became renowned for his mastery of the Moog synthesizer, blending classical, pop, and Jewish liturgical music into groundbreaking compositions. His 1969 hit “Popcorn” was one of the first electronic songs to gain mainstream popularity,

later covered by artists like Hot Butter and Crazy Frog . Kingsley co-founded the First Moog Quartet, which performed the first live electronic concert at Carnegie Hall in 1970, and his work “Concerto Moogo” was premiered by the Boston Pops Orchestra in 1971 . Beyond electronic music,

he composed for Broadway, film, and television, earning a Tony nomination in 1958 . Kingsley passed away on December 10, 2019, at the age of 97, and is survived by his daughters Melinda and Alissa, a son-in-law, and a grandson.

Jon Lord was an influential English keyboardist and composer, best known as a founding member of Deep Purple and for pioneering the fusion of rock and classical music. A classically trained pianist, Lord revolutionized hard rock with his powerful, overdriven Hammond organ sound,

particularly on iconic tracks like “Smoke on the Water” and “Child in Time.” His aggressive yet melodic playing style, often blending baroque and blues influences, became a signature of Deep Purple’s sound and heavily influenced generations of keyboardists.

Lord also composed orchestral works, including Concerto for Group and Orchestra (1969), performed with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. He passed away on July 16, 2012, at the age of 71, after battling pancreatic cancer. He is survived by his wife Vickie Gibbs and their daughter Sara.

Elton John is a legendary English singer, songwriter, and pianist whose flamboyant stagecraft and extraordinary keyboard abilities have made an indelible mark on pop and rock music. A classically trained musician, he brought virtuosic skill to the piano, blending gospel, rock ‘n’ roll,

and classical influences into a distinctive style that powered timeless hits like “Rocket Man,” “Tiny Dancer,” and “Bennie and the Jets.” His dynamic performances and emotional range on both acoustic and electric keyboards earned him

global acclaim and a career spanning over five decades. His songwriting partnership with Bernie Taupin remains one of the most successful in music history. He is survived by his husband David Furnish and their two sons, Zachary and Elijah.