Progressive Rock keyboardist most likely to noodle around, wank, showboat, and generally annoy

[Amerigo Vespucci]

[Orsino]

1. I found the Moody Blues to be the most bogged down by keyboards...

...and the least rockin' of these choices. Not the same thing, mind you.

[mitchum]

2. That Hammond-stabbing showboat Keith Emerson

[Amerigo Vespucci]

3. I remember a photo, long ago, in Rolling Stone...

...Emerson flat on his back on stage, keyboard on his chest, making his best "rock face." My thought at the time was "what a showboat."

:rofl:

In my "prog days," primarily because of the crowd I ran with, I was into Yes and King Crimson. Genesis came later, primarily Trick of the Tail, Wind & Wuthering, and Seconds Out.

Never got into The Moody Blues (found them to be boring and self-important) or ELP (thought they were wankers, and as a guitarist, was a real snob about the fact that the band lacked a guitarist. And no, Greg Lake's occasional acoustic guitar excursions don't count).

:toast:

[MissMillie]

4. Geddy Lee

:hide:

[Amerigo Vespucci]

5. But Rush is neither progressive NOR rock...

:hide:

:rofl:

[Dr. Strange]

8. Every time you mock Geddy Lee...

a kitten's tail falls off and gets eaten by a hawk. (The tail, I mean, not the kitten.)

[jobycom]

16. Good thing he only spoke the truth, then.

[TZ]

11. Nice post Creekdog!

:P

[Forkboy]

6. Every single one.

And never trust a guitarist with a poofy shirt either. There's bound to be some wankery going on at any moment with them. :)

[cemaphonic]

15. what about Prince?

He's worn a poofy shirt or two in his day.

[no name no slogan]

7. I would say Wakeman, only if it included the guy under the stage

who co-wanked/co-noodled around with him.


(PROTIP: Rick Wakeman had a session keyboard player on the 1973 Yes tour, because he couldn't cover all the parts himself. This is the main reason why Keith Emerson is the better 'boardist/wankist. Oh, Wakeman is also a big supporter of the Tories in the UK. So he also bites for that reason, too. Not to mention that atrocious King Arther on Ice thing he did. :P).

[Alexander]

13. Where did you hear about Wakeman's keyboard player under the stage?

I heard Tony Kaye did the same thing on their 90125 tour in the 80s (except the guy was backstage, not under the stage), but had no idea Wakeman had "help" as well.

[no name no slogan]

17. It was one of those unspoken things at the time

people who were close to the tour knew Rick stuffed another guy under the stage. If you check any of the video from that tour, you can tell there's more parts being played than there are hands (and feet) playing them.

[bbernardini]

9. Clearly, whoever voted for Tony Banks has never actually seen or heard Tony Banks perform.

Banks' playing is all about economy, for the most part. Interesting sounds, textures and chords, but not really a lot of notes.

[Tyrone Slothrop]

14. I was surprised he was on the list at all

His parts were very precise, and he never, ever improvised a solo.

In fact, he's basically said that he doesn't think he's that good of a performer and that his strength lies in the composition.

[SKKY]

10. Nick Rhodes of Duran Duran...

...By far the most annoying keyboardist around.

[SKKY]

12. Andy Fletcher of Depeche Mode is certainly the most useless- by a country mile.

I'm taking certain liberties with the phrase "Progressive Rock". I understand this.