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[GreenApple]

I'd say Rick Wakeman for sheer technical skill. But, my vote goes for Chester Thompson. The scope and feel of his keyboard playing has added yet another extra dimension onto Santana's music since he joined the band in the early-mid eighties. The interplay between his playing and the guitar work of Carlos is fantastic. He's been on every album since 1985. He seems now to be very much the second musician in the Santana band.

[Kevin]

The only keyboard player I've noticed and appreciated is the big beardy guy in The Band (Garth Hudson?). Don't really listen to synth-type music.

[GreenApple]

Don't like Santana or Yes then?

[Kevin]

When I was young all my buddies were into Yes, but I always suspected it had more to do with the album covers than the music (stoners you see.) Can't really remember the tunes. Santana, from what little I've heard, is cool. But no, for some reason I've never picked up on him. I've always been a three-minute verse-chorus kinda guy.

[andersonCouncill]

Ray Manzarek from The Doors. Followed by Rick Wakeman. Followed by Keith Emerson. Followed by Dennis DeYoung. Followed by Rick Wright.

[ma_tt2]

Billy Preston and Ian Stewart are both great.

[lennon-legend]

Ray Manzarek, Keith Emerson & Billy Preston

[number14]

Ray Manzarek, and Richard Wright

[adamzero]

The only keyboard player I've noticed and appreciated is the big beardy guy in The Band (Garth Hudson?). Don't really listen to synth-type music.

For rock players, I'd go with the following list:

1) I vote for Garth number one..

2) Nicky Hopkins (John Lennon, Stones, Jefferson Airplane, etc.) is a master.  Totally distinctive parts that absolutely make the songs he's plays on.  Plays with a lot of rhythm too.

3) Billy Preston, of course (you know he's good when he's Ray Charles' piano player, much less the Beatles).

4) Steve Nieve (Elvis Costello)--saw the two of them live duo at the Ryman, amazing.

5) Chuck Leavell (more from his Allman stuff than Sea Level).  "Jessica" is one of the most amazingly beautiful and well-constructed piano solos for my money in any rock song.  

6) Booker T. Jones (amazing touch)

I like Jimmy Smith alot too but he's jazz.  And of course Art Tatum--probably the greatest piano player of modern times.  Fats Waller used to say when Art came into the room, I'm just a piano player, he's god.  

I also hear that Mozart, Chopin and Beethoven were pretty good.

[raxo]

...
I also hear that Mozart, Chopin and Beethoven were pretty good.

... what about a guy called Liszt?

[adamzero]

Liszt makes the list.

[Mairi]

Whoever played the keyboards in ABBA, was pretty darn good.

[adamzero]

I'm not much of an ABBA fan, but Benny Andersson wrote some great piano hooks.  Steve Nieve and Elvis Costello were definitely influenced by him.  

[apple sauce]

The guy from Deep Purple he had a huge sound with their signature song Smoke On The Water!!!!!!! John Lord (may be?)

[An Apple Beatle]

Chic Korea

Ray Manzarek, and Richard Wright