by Armond Blackwater

Created on: January 06, 2007

American's love top lists because in this country everything must be ranked. We must know who is best, who is number 1. While I detest the concept I do love controversy and subject ranking stirs the pot vigorously.

Guitarists have dominated Rock music from its start. For many years it was Jerry Lee Lewis against the world. Finally, in the mid 1960's keyboardists started making their mark and finding their place in rock bands with the advent of compact, portable organs like the Vox Continental and Farfisa Combo Compact. Rugged souls, like me, even started humping "chopped" Hammond organs with Leslie rotating speakers. Bob Moog changed the scene forever by inventing some say fathering the music synthesizer.

The past 40 years has witnessed many brilliant keyboardists, but the top five on my list represent the cats that reached and influenced my playing the most.

Number 5 is Ray Manzarek, The Doors. Ray served not only as the organist but also the bassist playing a Rhodes Key Bass along with a bitchin' Vox Continental. And, he would take over singing duties on nights that Morrison was too messed up to perform. Drawing from his Chicago roots of Blues and Polka, Ray permanently elevated the role of the keyboardist in a rock band.

Number 4 is Vincent Crane. Vincent was a true genius, a gift/curse that drove him to create incredible music with bands like The Crazy World of Arthur Brown and, his greatest achievement, Atomic Rooster, eventually drove him to take his own life. He used a full-cabinet Hammond C3 through regular amplification. No Leslie. If given the opportunity I would have asked Vincent why he divorced his Hammond from its life partner. I imagine that he would protest that he was seeking the pure truth of the organ and its drawbars that modified the sound.

Number 3 is Jon Lord, Deep Purple. Jon "Freaking" Lord brought a percussive, manic attacking technique to his Hammond C3, which was hooked to a wall of Vox amps as well as a bank of Leslies. There aren't many keyboardists that could hold their own with the likes of guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. My hands cramp every time I hear his climactic ending of the solo in Hush. While solos in songs like Smoke on the Water are exceptionally well crafted, it is Jon's supportive rhythm work behind singer Ian Gillan and Blackmore that was most impressive. The coupling with drummer Ian Paice and bassist Roger Glover is the definition of a tight rhythm section.

Number 2 is Rick Wakeman. Rick's work with bands like The Strawbs,

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