THE TOP 50

29

JEM GODFREY

Although a writer of awardwinning pop hits for the likes of Atomic kitten and Morcheeba, Godfrey’s love of progressive music is all too evident in his band Frost*, who have now recorded three studio albums, and featured some of the cream of the modern prog scene.

You say: “of all modern progsters, no one quite marries melody and technical ability the way Godfrey does. There are fewer moments in modern prog as exciting as the last few minutes of Milliontown.” – Jonathan Watkins

28

JOHN TOUT

The longest-serving keyboard player for classically infused proggers Renaissance, it was Tout’s mastery of his instrument that helped colour the band’s music during their most effective decade between 1970 and 1980. He returned to the Renaissance fold for a short time in 1999, but sadly passed away in 2015.

You say: “The most underrated keyboardist out there – the main reason Renaissance was such an incredible band.” – David Carswell

27

STEVE WALSH

Given that he was also one of the band’s singers, sometimes Walsh’s keyboard work was overlooked in kansas, but he’s there to be heard on all of the group’s classic albums. He took over as the sole keyboard player after kerry Livgren left the band – no mean feat for one of America’s greatest prog acts.

You say: “His solo in Carry on Wayward Son is a classic, and then there’s The Spider, which he played all of the keyboards on.” – Tim Chernak

26 RICHARD BARBIERI

Coming to prominence in art rockers Japan, Barbieri’s prog prominence increased tenfold when he joined Porcupine Tree, with whom his intricate soundscapes worked their wonders from 1993 to 2010. He’s also worked with Marillion’s Steve Hogarth and released his last solo album, Planets + Persona, in 2017.

You say: “Atmospheres and electronics which create landscapes for imagination and feelings.”

– Philippe Kedinger

25

MIKE PINDER

not only was he a founder member of The Moody Blues, but Pinder’s delightful keyboard orchestrations informed the band’s sound over their impressive run of seven classic albums, from 1967’s Days of Future Passed to 1972’s Seventh Sojourn. He penned most of the band’s more progressive compositions too.

You say: “He helped handshake the lush orchestral sounds from classical to prog with his signature Mellotron drones and washes. it shaped their sound for the late 60s and early 70s perfectly. not showy or frantic. Just deep and delicious.” – Paul Watson

24

DAVE GREENSLADE

Be it his work with Colosseum or his own 70s progressive rock band Greenslade, or even his epic solo work The Pentateuch of The Cosmogony, Dave Greenslade has established himself as a keyboard player of finesse and panache, time and time again.

You say: “Leaving aside his jazz fusion days with Colosseum, his solo albums showed ability and innovation aplenty – well ahead of his time.” – David Long

23

NEAL MORSE

one of the foremost proponents of US progressive music in the modern day, Morse has played keyboards in Spock’s Beard and the supergroups Transatlantic and Flying Colors, as well as running a hugely successful solo career. He brings a subtle touch on the keyboard to the sometimes lofty ambitions of the projects he works on.

You say: “Whether it’s Spock’s Beard, Transatlantic, Flying Colors, The neal Morse Band or solo, the man is a music machine. My favourite on the list – he’s overall the best composer, and versatile.” – Frank K. Woolf

22

JAN HAMMER

The list of credits for Czechborn American keyboard player Jan Hammer is sensational. A member of the original line-up of the Mahavishnu orchestra, he’s worked with Al Di Meola, Jeff Beck, Joni Mitchell, neal Schon, Tommy Bolin, Stanley Clarke and more. And then there was the huge success of Miami vice. A legend.

You say: “established the best-use practice for the pitch bend wheel.

Could cut heads with some killer guitar players.” – Mark Murray

21

MARTIN ORFORD

Best known as a member of iQ, for whom he was both a highly skilled keyboard player and a creative songwriter, orford’s position on the list is made all the more incredible when you consider he retired from the music industry in 2008. Two solo albums pay testament to his brilliance, and he still occasionally performs with Jadis.

You say: “i’m a big one for writing skills and orford made a lot of the great iQ moments what they were. Beyond that, a very competent player and a great musician.” – Ken Baird

20

JOE ZAWINUL

one of the pioneers of jazz fusion and winner of 28 Best electric keyboardist awards from US magazine Downbeat, Zawinul was a master of his craft. He’d worked with jazz legends Dinah Washington, Cannonball Adderley and Miles Davis before going on to make jazz fusion his own with Weather Report. That he himself has been honoured in composition by the likes of Brian eno, John McLaughlin, Warren Cuccurullo and Toninho Horta speaks volumes for his impact.

You say: “[Deserves his place] for filling the gap between prog and jazz.”

– Adriano Melis