these are the keyboard lines that get our motors running
our motors running
our motors running welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’ll
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’ll
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the top
be counting down our picks for the top
be counting down our picks for the top ten keyboard and synth parts in rock
for this list will be ranking memorable
for this list will be ranking memorable music sections performed by keyboard or
music sections performed by keyboard or
music sections performed by keyboard or synthesizer players within the rock Jean
we’ll be paying particular attention to
we’ll be paying particular attention to how these sections work within each saw
how these sections work within each saw
how these sections work within each saw whether they’re utilized as a solo
whether they’re utilized as a solo
whether they’re utilized as a solo section melodic introduction or
section melodic introduction or
section melodic introduction or transitional bridge within a piece
this song from Canadian rock legends
this song from Canadian rock legends rush goes for the synthesizer glory
rush goes for the synthesizer glory
rush goes for the synthesizer glory right from the get-go with a solo
right from the get-go with a solo
right from the get-go with a solo performance from the band’s singer and
performance from the band’s singer and
performance from the band’s singer and bassist Geddy Lee subdivisions is taken
bassist Geddy Lee subdivisions is taken
bassist Geddy Lee subdivisions is taken from the band’s 1982 album signals which
from the band’s 1982 album signals which
from the band’s 1982 album signals which itself signaled a turning point of sorts
itself signaled a turning point of sorts
itself signaled a turning point of sorts for the progressive rock legends
the track showcased the streamlined and
the track showcased the streamlined and melodic sensibility new to the rush
melodic sensibility new to the rush
melodic sensibility new to the rush sound anchored by Lee’s forward approach
sound anchored by Lee’s forward approach
sound anchored by Lee’s forward approach to using the synthesizer as a lead
to using the synthesizer as a lead
to using the synthesizer as a lead instrument indeed the guitar work of
instrument indeed the guitar work of
instrument indeed the guitar work of Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart drumming is
Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart drumming is
Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart drumming is almost restrained against the stirring
almost restrained against the stirring
almost restrained against the stirring and emotional melody line delivered by
and emotional melody line delivered by
and emotional melody line delivered by Lee in this massively influential rush
Lee in this massively influential rush
Lee in this massively influential rush songs
number nine separate ways worlds apart
number nine separate ways worlds apart journey
with its iconic opening keyboard melody
with its iconic opening keyboard melody separate ways grabs the audience’s
separate ways grabs the audience’s
separate ways grabs the audience’s attention right from the start
attention right from the start
attention right from the start journeys Jonathan Cain possesses a
journeys Jonathan Cain possesses a
journeys Jonathan Cain possesses a striking tone to his chosen instrument
striking tone to his chosen instrument
striking tone to his chosen instrument as his driving lake is quickly bolstered
as his driving lake is quickly bolstered
as his driving lake is quickly bolstered by guitars Neil Sean’s heavy staccato
by guitars Neil Sean’s heavy staccato
by guitars Neil Sean’s heavy staccato riffing the keyboards then take a
riffing the keyboards then take a
riffing the keyboards then take a supporting role to separate ways as the
supporting role to separate ways as the
supporting role to separate ways as the song weaves its tale of a lonely lover
song weaves its tale of a lonely lover
song weaves its tale of a lonely lover promising devotion to his former flame
promising devotion to his former flame
promising devotion to his former flame despite their separation
Kayne’s keyboards return for a haunting
Kayne’s keyboards return for a haunting effect near the end of Shawn’s guitar
effect near the end of Shawn’s guitar
effect near the end of Shawn’s guitar solo
then lead into a collaboration with
then lead into a collaboration with singer Steve Perry to bring it all home
singer Steve Perry to bring it all home
singer Steve Perry to bring it all home for the songs epic finale
number eight
number eight foreplay longtime Boston
a Hammond m3 organ is the musical star
a Hammond m3 organ is the musical star of this early Boston classic serving as
of this early Boston classic serving as
of this early Boston classic serving as one of the most memorable tracks from
one of the most memorable tracks from
one of the most memorable tracks from this arena rock bands multi-platinum
this arena rock bands multi-platinum
this arena rock bands multi-platinum debut it’s foreplay that serves as the
debut it’s foreplay that serves as the
debut it’s foreplay that serves as the most keyboard centric section of the
most keyboard centric section of the
most keyboard centric section of the one-two combo and it is an instrumental
one-two combo and it is an instrumental
one-two combo and it is an instrumental track that hinges upon the quick
track that hinges upon the quick
track that hinges upon the quick arpeggio melody lines for primary effect
the song then segues into longtime a
the song then segues into longtime a more traditional Boston track which
more traditional Boston track which
more traditional Boston track which utilizes the keyboards as a more
utilizes the keyboards as a more
utilizes the keyboards as a more understated but mood setting
understated but mood setting
understated but mood setting accompaniment to Tom Schultz his lair
accompaniment to Tom Schultz his lair
accompaniment to Tom Schultz his lair guitar symphonies and Brad delp’s
guitar symphonies and Brad delp’s
guitar symphonies and Brad delp’s powerful vocals
place them together and you have a tasty
place them together and you have a tasty sandwich of keyboard goodness performed
sandwich of keyboard goodness performed
sandwich of keyboard goodness performed in that bombastic 70 style
number seven fanfare for the common man
number seven fanfare for the common man Emerson Lake & Palmer
keyboardist keith emerson was no
keyboardist keith emerson was no stranger to complex keyboard gymnastics
stranger to complex keyboard gymnastics
stranger to complex keyboard gymnastics point in kcl keys benny the bouncer
the musician would outdo himself however
the musician would outdo himself however on this reworking of a piece from the
on this reworking of a piece from the
on this reworking of a piece from the early 40s titled fanfare for the common
early 40s titled fanfare for the common
early 40s titled fanfare for the common man
the track was originally composed by
the track was originally composed by Aaron Copland in 1942 but was reworked
Aaron Copland in 1942 but was reworked
Aaron Copland in 1942 but was reworked by the band for their 1977 opus works
by the band for their 1977 opus works
by the band for their 1977 opus works Volume one with Emerson taking center
Volume one with Emerson taking center
Volume one with Emerson taking center stage on the keyboard Emerson and the
stage on the keyboard Emerson and the
stage on the keyboard Emerson and the group would transpose copelan’s piece
group would transpose copelan’s piece
group would transpose copelan’s piece into a shuffling bluesy number two huge
into a shuffling bluesy number two huge
into a shuffling bluesy number two huge success resulting in a fan favorite ELP
success resulting in a fan favorite ELP
success resulting in a fan favorite ELP track which followed the band throughout
track which followed the band throughout
track which followed the band throughout their career
number six love will tear us apart Joy
number six love will tear us apart Joy Division
keyboard melody – this next entry on our
keyboard melody – this next entry on our list may be comparatively minimalistic
list may be comparatively minimalistic
list may be comparatively minimalistic but it’s no less powerful or influential
but it’s no less powerful or influential
but it’s no less powerful or influential level Tara’s apart might be one of the
level Tara’s apart might be one of the
level Tara’s apart might be one of the most enduring tracks from British
most enduring tracks from British
most enduring tracks from British post-punk band Joy Division from their
post-punk band Joy Division from their
post-punk band Joy Division from their all-too-brief career
guitars Bernard Sumner takes to the
guitars Bernard Sumner takes to the keyboards and echoes Peter hooks riffy
keyboards and echoes Peter hooks riffy
keyboards and echoes Peter hooks riffy melodic baseline while adding sweeps and
melodic baseline while adding sweeps and
melodic baseline while adding sweeps and swells of his own it may not be a grande
swells of his own it may not be a grande
swells of his own it may not be a grande complex part but the keyboards cold
complex part but the keyboards cold
complex part but the keyboards cold haunting tone is perfectly suited to the
haunting tone is perfectly suited to the
haunting tone is perfectly suited to the song and is a perfect match for Ian
song and is a perfect match for Ian
song and is a perfect match for Ian Curtis –is pains vulnerable lyrics
van Halen of 1984 was a band going
van Halen of 1984 was a band going through some serious changes not only
through some serious changes not only
through some serious changes not only were tensions between the band and
were tensions between the band and
were tensions between the band and vocalist David Lee Roth becoming worse
vocalist David Lee Roth becoming worse
vocalist David Lee Roth becoming worse and worse but the hardrock band sound
and worse but the hardrock band sound
and worse but the hardrock band sound was evolving into one which was
was evolving into one which was
was evolving into one which was increasingly incorporating keyboards as
increasingly incorporating keyboards as
increasingly incorporating keyboards as opposed to the riff and two hand tapped
opposed to the riff and two hand tapped
opposed to the riff and two hand tapped guitar work which defined their early
guitar work which defined their early
guitar work which defined their early work
kids jump summed up this new sound
kids jump summed up this new sound propelling guitarist Eddie Van Halen’s
propelling guitarist Eddie Van Halen’s
propelling guitarist Eddie Van Halen’s commercially friendly and catchy
commercially friendly and catchy
commercially friendly and catchy keyboard melodies into the Billboard
keyboard melodies into the Billboard
keyboard melodies into the Billboard charts
it’s a driving and Infectious did he
it’s a driving and Infectious did he indeed and fans responded in droves
indeed and fans responded in droves
indeed and fans responded in droves making jump a number one smash in
making jump a number one smash in
making jump a number one smash in countries around the world
number four shine on you crazy diamond
number four shine on you crazy diamond pink floyd–
talk about epic shine on you crazy
talk about epic shine on you crazy diamond is a nine part 25 minute opus
diamond is a nine part 25 minute opus
diamond is a nine part 25 minute opus from Pink Floyd and their 1975 concept
from Pink Floyd and their 1975 concept
from Pink Floyd and their 1975 concept album wish you were here split into two
album wish you were here split into two
album wish you were here split into two chunks which bookend the album the song
chunks which bookend the album the song
chunks which bookend the album the song was composed as the spiritual ode to
was composed as the spiritual ode to
was composed as the spiritual ode to former members Syd Barrett and serves as
former members Syd Barrett and serves as
former members Syd Barrett and serves as a fine example of Floyd at their most
a fine example of Floyd at their most
a fine example of Floyd at their most emotional and atmosphere
particular attention should be paid to
particular attention should be paid to keyboardist Richard Wright who’s adept
keyboardist Richard Wright who’s adept
keyboardist Richard Wright who’s adept sensei creating mood makes it easy for
sensei creating mood makes it easy for
sensei creating mood makes it easy for lead guitarist David Gilmour to work his
lead guitarist David Gilmour to work his
lead guitarist David Gilmour to work his own magic over the top and simply a
own magic over the top and simply a
own magic over the top and simply a match made in musical heaven
moving on to something substantially
moving on to something substantially less restrained deep purple’s highway
less restrained deep purple’s highway
less restrained deep purple’s highway star just might be the epitome of a
star just might be the epitome of a
star just might be the epitome of a perfect pedal-to-the-metal driving song
perfect pedal-to-the-metal driving song
perfect pedal-to-the-metal driving song much of the song success should be
much of the song success should be
much of the song success should be attributed to the band’s keyboardist
attributed to the band’s keyboardist
attributed to the band’s keyboardist John Lourdes insane runs on the Hammond
John Lourdes insane runs on the Hammond
John Lourdes insane runs on the Hammond organ as Lord trades off classically
organ as Lord trades off classically
organ as Lord trades off classically inspired solos against his purple
inspired solos against his purple
inspired solos against his purple bandmates Ritchie Blackmore
Lord’s fiery runs meet Blackmore
Lord’s fiery runs meet Blackmore note-for-note as both musicians drum up
note-for-note as both musicians drum up
note-for-note as both musicians drum up dizzying technical flourishes right on
dizzying technical flourishes right on
dizzying technical flourishes right on through the songs crash and burn finale
Lord and Blackmore would go on to cou
Lord and Blackmore would go on to cou perform on the comparatively mid-paced
perform on the comparatively mid-paced
perform on the comparatively mid-paced perfect strangers in 1984
but it was highway star which sealed the
but it was highway star which sealed the deal for many fans some 12 years prior
it’s a classic Rock mainstay which is
it’s a classic Rock mainstay which is recognizable almost immediately
recognizable almost immediately
recognizable almost immediately thanks to keyboardist Ray Manzarek and
thanks to keyboardist Ray Manzarek and
thanks to keyboardist Ray Manzarek and his intense musical skills Manzarek was
his intense musical skills Manzarek was
his intense musical skills Manzarek was so talented with his chosen instrument
so talented with his chosen instrument
so talented with his chosen instrument that the doors rarely ever used a basis
that the doors rarely ever used a basis
that the doors rarely ever used a basis when performing live where the keyboard
when performing live where the keyboard
when performing live where the keyboard is filling in that role via Fender
is filling in that role via Fender
is filling in that role via Fender Rhodes piano bass
it’s the Fox continental organ here
it’s the Fox continental organ here however that provides the songs most
however that provides the songs most
however that provides the songs most memorable attributes from the unending
memorable attributes from the unending
memorable attributes from the unending middle solo to the playful riff that
middle solo to the playful riff that
middle solo to the playful riff that cooks us in from the get-go
Manzarek also flirts with a melody while
Manzarek also flirts with a melody while supporting robbie Kriegers inquisitive
supporting robbie Kriegers inquisitive
supporting robbie Kriegers inquisitive and quasi flamenco guitar solo before
and quasi flamenco guitar solo before
and quasi flamenco guitar solo before driving hard back into one of rock’s
driving hard back into one of rock’s
driving hard back into one of rock’s most memorable music moments
before we reveal our number-one synth
before we reveal our number-one synth section here are a few honorable
section here are a few honorable
section here are a few honorable mentions
number one Baba O’Riley the who he
number one Baba O’Riley the who he Townsend and the who are no strangers to
Townsend and the who are no strangers to
Townsend and the who are no strangers to composing rousing epic keyboard melodies
composing rousing epic keyboard melodies
composing rousing epic keyboard melodies as evidenced by their iconic 1971 track
as evidenced by their iconic 1971 track
as evidenced by their iconic 1971 track won’t get fooled again
it was the opening track to that same
it was the opening track to that same album who’s next
album who’s next
album who’s next which would go on to cement the bat as
which would go on to cement the bat as
which would go on to cement the bat as certifiable rock gods Baba O’Riley is
certifiable rock gods Baba O’Riley is
certifiable rock gods Baba O’Riley is known for the repetitive layered
known for the repetitive layered
known for the repetitive layered synthesizer tracks which serve as
synthesizer tracks which serve as
synthesizer tracks which serve as undercurrent for Townsend’s windmill
undercurrent for Townsend’s windmill
undercurrent for Townsend’s windmill guitar riffs and frontman Roger
guitar riffs and frontman Roger
guitar riffs and frontman Roger Daltrey’s soaring vocals
the driving synth lines are then further
the driving synth lines are then further expanded upon during the townsend song
expanded upon during the townsend song
expanded upon during the townsend song bridge as spare melodic notes are used
bridge as spare melodic notes are used
bridge as spare melodic notes are used to accentuate the songs overt dramatic
to accentuate the songs overt dramatic
to accentuate the songs overt dramatic atmosphere the result a classic rock
atmosphere the result a classic rock
atmosphere the result a classic rock masterpiece which still retains all of
masterpiece which still retains all of
masterpiece which still retains all of its original power
so do you agree with our list which
so do you agree with our list which keyboard or synth section do you feel
keyboard or synth section do you feel
keyboard or synth section do you feel lift their respective songs to new
lift their respective songs to new
lift their respective songs to new heights
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