Poll: Your Favorite English Keyboardist

Those were the first two that popped into my head as my faves before I even clicked on the thread to vote. The next two whose keyboard work has moved me just as deeply as those two were Richard Wright & though he's a multi-instrumentalist, for the incredible songs he's written on piano with The Beatles & solo, Paul McCartney.
The last vote could have gone to any of the runner-ups but Ian McLagan got my vote because he's also that great but had the least votes... Pete is just much more a guitar player, but if I start thinking of all the great keyboard work he's done on albums I adore, I'll be in danger of changing my vote (an honorable mention above other full time keyboardists should be enough)

~Steve Nieve
~Nicky Hopkins
~Richard Wright
~Paul McCartney
~Ian McLagan

Honorable Mention:
Steve Winwood
Elton John
Rick Wakeman
Tony Banks
Pete Townshend

Missing in action (*would have voted for above my current #5)
*Christine McVie
*Kate Bush
*Mike Garson
*Ian Stewart
Bob Andrews

 

I voted for Wakeman but I’d also add High Banton and John Evan to the list.

 

Great list! I'm sorry I missed those keyboard players

 

Jon Lord

There is no other.

 

I would have voted for Mike Ratledge if he’d been on the list.

 

My faves (no jazz players)... no order

Keith Emerson
Ken Hensley
Nicky Hopkins
Jon Lord
Tony Kaye
Ray Manzarek
Billy Preston
Rick Wakeman
Rick Wright

 

Impossible to get everybody... thanks for hosting!!

 

Certainly deserves mention, and to some Rod's one of the top keyboard players in rock...




Cat

 

Joe Jackson should be at the Top of the List along with Richard Wright, Kate Bush and Elton John-IMO.

Also, Jonny Greenwood, as he is not just a Great Guitarist, but also Great on the Keyboards on several Radiohead Songs.

 

I concur

 

You're welcome

 

Tony Banks
Keith Emerson
Elton John
Jon Lord
Rick Wakeman

 

I will concur, but The CURE are one of my All Time Favorite Bands(although he was not part of their Brilliant Atmospheric Dark Trilogy-'17 Seconds', 'Faith' & 'Pornography', but was there for 'Kiss Me x 3' on Tour but not the Studio Album itself and 'Disintegration' which are their 2 Best Albums-IMO).

 

Hugh Banton
Richard Barbieri

 

Would also add Damon Albarn.

 

Hang on, Nicky!

 

These were my five as well.

 

Rick Wright

 

Les Dawson.

 

*
Keith Emerson
*
Nicky Hopkins
*
Elton John
*
Alan Price
*
Chris Stainton

 

john gosling from the kinks had a nice run.

 

Why anyone would turn to rock for a good keyboard is beyond me, I will say that I do quite like the noise Mike Ratledge makes on the first few Soft Machine records. Rock aside, John Tilbury's where it's at in the UK for me.

 

1. Nicky Hopkins: Very distinct player, so sensitive to the music he played, always had such a good feel for what the song needs, and is just a very talented, versatile player.
2. Jon Lord: He made keys heavy. And by god that organ was like no other. And he was pretty good on the other keyboard instruments as well.
3. Rick Wakeman: Simply put, the man is a master.
4. Richard Wright: The unsung hero of Pink Floyd, very gifted colorist who always knew how to spice up a track.
5. Ian “Mac” McLagan: Nice and dirty, just like I want out of a rock and roll band.

 

Steve Nieve.
Listening to Elvis Costello and the Attractions right now actually...