Top 5 British Keyboardists From The Old School Of Prog

[AncientChord]

This is a subject that has been discussed at various times over the years, but I thought I'd revive the thread. After listening to Van Der Graaf Generator on Dime this week and listening to an awesome new live version of "A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers," I realized how overwhelmingly underrated Hugh Banton is. His contribution to 'the dark side of prog' cannot be denied. And now that VDGG is sans David Jackson, his importance is even more essential. And he still takes on the role of bassist too, using his foot pedals. Simply amazing! Old proggers like me probably realize this, but how bout you young ones out there? I'm just curious? IMO here is my top 5, in order of importance. Remember, I'm talking just British keys.:

1. Keith Emerson
2. Tony Banks
3. Rick Wakeman
4. Hugh Banton
5. Kerry Minnear

[Supersonic Scientist]

Can't argue with that too much.

Agree that Hugh Banton is very underrated. I was stunned to see his foot-work at NF a few years back. Simply amazing talent.

[NogbadTheBad]

Dave Stewart was....

I'd also add Dave Sinclair & Mike Ratledge but that's mainly as I have a soft spot for Caravan & Soft Machine

I'll stick with Emerson & Banton to round out my 5.

[Rufus]

Emerson
Wakeman
Argent
Thiis Van Leer
Minnear

[AncientChord]

Thiis Van Leer

Oh Rufus! Do you actually read anyone's threads? Thiis Van Leer is NOT British!!!

[NogbadTheBad]

Thiis Van Leer

I think he's Dutch

[dgtlman]

I'd take Jobson over Banks any day

[BobM]

I think a better question might be best keyboardists back in the day that weren't British?

[Dan Roth]

I think a better question might be best keyboardists back in the day that weren't British?

Rick van der Linden

[Calabasas_Trafalgar]

Pete Robinson
Graham Field
Dave Stewart
Goodge Harris
Hugh Banton

[Musitron]

1. Keith Emerson
2. Rick Wakeman
-----------------
3. Tony Banks
4. Kerry Minnear
5. Dave Stewart - Thiis Van Leer

[Jeremy Bender]

1. Keith Emerson

[Rufus]

Oh Rufus! Do you actually read anyone's threads? Thiis Van Leer is NOT British!!!

We adopted him & he now lives in the Uk !

[MYSTERIOUS TRAVELLER]

I think a better question might be best keyboardists back in the day that weren't British?

That's a no brainer...
Herbie Hancock
Chick Corea
Jan Hammer
Barry Miles
Joe Zawinul

as for the Brits there is one Keyboard player that's head and shoulders above the rest
Dave Stewart

[emperorken]

Since this thread is just inviting people to answer the obvious choices of Emerson and Wakeman, I will intentionally omit those 2(and Tony Banks as well):

Gary Brooker
Mike Pinder
John Tout
John Hawken
Peter Bardens

[bRETT]

That's a no brainer...
Herbie Hancock
Chick Corea
Jan Hammer
Barry Miles
Joe Zawinul

as for the Brits there is one Keyboard player that's head and shoulders above the rest
Dave Stewart

Leaving jazzmen out of it, you'd have to add David Sancious (ok, he's sort of a jazzman) and Roger Powell.

Thumbs up to whoever mentioned Rod Argent-- Absolutely one of the top-tier British keyboardists, and he was there first!

[bill g]

Kerry Minnear, he did so much with just ten fingers.
Dave Stewart

followed by a couple techincal greats:

Keith Emerson
Jan Hammer

and finally:

Tony Banks, not for his chops, but because of the original and creative beauty he evoked that no one else did. Such warm compositions.

[Rufus]

I would also put Jon Lord above Banks , for composition, influence & chops !

[Rufus]

I'd take Jobson over Banks any day

I would also put Jon Lord above Banks for composition , skill , techniques & chops .

[NogbadTheBad]

Jon Lord is a good pick.

I'll throw Alan Gowan, Vincent Crane & Rick Wright into the mix.

[gregory]

Keith Emerson
Jon Lord
Vincent Crane
Dave Greenslade
Alan Gowen

[gregory]

Pete Robinson
Graham Field
Dave Stewart
Goodge Harris
Hugh Banton

Who's Goodge Harris?

[Musitron]

Since this thread is just inviting people to answer the obvious choices of Emerson and Wakeman, I will intentionally omit those 2(and Tony Banks as well):

Gary Brooker
Mike Pinder
John Tout
John Hawken
Peter Bardens

Yes I forgot Peter Bardens

[Calabasas_Trafalgar]

Who's Goodge Harris?

Played on the first two Arthur Brown's Kingdome Come LPs. An absolute monster, he left the performing music world to study the physics of music at a university.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N48ckrKk4wM

[Calabasas_Trafalgar]

That's a no brainer...
Herbie Hancock
Chick Corea
Jan Hammer
Barry Miles
Joe Zawinul

as for the Brits there is one Keyboard player that's head and shoulders above the rest
Dave Stewart

Of course MT doesn't understand the words "British" or "Old School of Prog"!