Who is the greatest Rock organist of All Time?

1) Keith Emerson
2) Rick Wakeman
3) Matthew Fisher
4) Mike Smith, Dave Clark Five (ok, not great virtuoso, but where would we be without his great standup Vox style....and the voice).

 

Yes we are … A bunch of happy bozos here in Steve’s buss.
There are not many places I rather loved to be … *s*

 

How about Georgie Fame?

 

Heres an off the wall one.Steve Stills on Old Times,Good Times from his first solo album.Who would want to play guitar on the same track as Jimi Hendrix.

 

Has anyone mentioned:

Nicky Hopkins?
He's on every rock album ever made in the late 60's-70's
Peace
Norm

 

Yeah, wasn't that a cheap Farfisa organ (SP?). The thing did have a distintive sound.

My vote for best rock organist goes to Keith Emerson, no one else even comes close IMHO>

 

Steve named Felix Calvalarie from The Rascals, and the rest of you also have mentioned the rest of the best. So I'm organless!!

 

I can't believe you said that. I live for the sound of Hammond B-3 with a 147 wooden Leslie at full over drive where the tubes turn blue

 

John Novello of Niacin

Chris Copping of Procol Harum (nice solo on 'Conquistador')

 

Sweet Sweet Connie doin' her act....

 

The best Rock organ players (IMO) are:

1. Jon Lord (Deep Purple)... he introduced this fuzzed organ sound... combination of Leslie cabinet amplified thru a Marshall amp.

2. Keith Emerson (ELP)

3. Ken Hensley (Uriah Heep)

They have dominated the sound of their groups... and they played the amazing Hammond B-3 organ.

I don't like "organ" sounds which are presets in synthesized keyboards from Korg, Yamaha or other modern design stuff. For example... Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater), he played some great organ sounds on the last two records, but that's not the same original like a Hammond... maybe I'm old-fashioned!

 

Actually, I do like the sound of the B-3, but only in bite size chunks. But even that starts to great on me after 15-20 minutes. Hey, different strokes... (In the interest of full disclosure, I don't much like harpsichords, vibraphones, or trumpets either, whereas I'm very fond of guitars and cellos...)

 

Another vote here for Garth Hudson.

I also like Al Kooper's unschooled noodling on "Like a Rolling Stone."

Benmont Tench is also a very tasteful player, no matter what keyboard he's using.

 

Chester Thompson T.O.P

Chester Thompson originally from Tower of Power, now with Santana. The solo on "Sqib Cakes" from Back to Oakland gives chills. Not sure if you'd classify him as rock, but he deserves to be mentioned.

 

I'll add another vote for Garth Hudson.

Also, perhaps:
Bill Champlin?

This thread beguiles me... There are so many keyboardists I would name, but I suppose they have to somewhat "specialize" in [rock] organ playing.

 

Re: Chester Thompson T.O.P

Finally some one I can really agree with.

Chester also must heard on Urban renewal "walkin up Hip street" do you kno that the Bass player drops out and he is kicking pedals while screaming on the keys. He makes a bass player want to go home, and I am a bass player.

but he is still not my pick for best.

 

Some other excellent players that I have not seen mentioned:


Peter Bardens - Camel
David Sinclair - Caravan/Matching Mole (1rst LP)
Mark Stein - Vanilla Fudge
Thijs Van Leer - Focus
Tony Kaye - Yes/Flash (1rst LP)/Badger
Richard Wright - Pink Floyd





Ed Hurdle
HeavyDistortion

 

S-Winwood, A-Kooper, B-Tench & Chuck Leavell in any order...

 

Benmont Tench, Rick Wakeman, and Richard Wright (Pink Floyd). Wright's playing on "Brain Damage" alone justifies a place on this list.

 

I Have always liked:
Jimmy Smith (One of the greatest on the Hammond B3)

And The Following are some of my other Faves:

Rick Wakeman
Ray Manzarek
Rabbit Bundrick

 

Me, myself and I will add another 3 votes for Rick Wakeman

All the best - Andrew