Admin's Log (11) – Keys to Snares
A tribute to 5 pianist heroes, shining stars behind their respective guitar G.O.A.T. front men. Thanks for being an eternal inspiration to us
Admitted, my first musical heroes were lead singers/guitar players. For years, I watched and listened to anything I could find from 3 GOAT’s in particular with their respective bands. Once I knew all their albums, songs, lyrics, I started playing their solo’s om my (limited edition!) Air Guitar, making sure I mimicked their facial expressions during the nastiest parts of their lift-off’s.
It took until my twenties before I could really see and hear the other band members and their indispensable contributions to my GOAT’s. Once it became clear I would never exchange my Air Guitar for a genuine left-handed Stratocaster, only then I started appreciating the supporting pianoplayers for being heroes themselves, independently from any front man!
Today a tribute to 5 Keys behind 3 famous Snares.
1. Keys: Eugene Carrier (1946–1997) to Snares: B.B. King (1925–2015)
Enjoy the late Eugene Carrier, going airborne for 1 minute 20 seconds and no less than 48 bars of Blues at the infamous San Quentin State Prison!
2. Keys: Chuck Leavell to Snares: Eric Clapton
I could talk for hours about all-round keyboardist Chuck Leavell for hours, but let’s just stick to the title of below video: “Chuck Leavell is Awesome, and here’s why!”
3. Keys: Greg Phillinganes to Snares: Eric Clapton
We could show you better and faster Greg Phillinganes solos, but this one to us shows his ability to perfectly blend into a dramatic slow-hand blues during the “24-Nights” Orchestral apotheosis. I can watch the energy from Greg and co-vocalist and base player Nathan East in one line-up at any given day!
4. Keys: Johnnie Johnson (1924–2005) to Snares: Eric Clapton
Watch the late Johnnie Jonson during a “Worried Life Blues” piano solo of the outer category. Right hand solo, left hand using a towel, I was speechless at the time!
5. Keys: Reese Wynans to Snares: Stevie Ray Vaughan (1954–1990)
Reese Wynans starred in Double Trouble until the dreadful death of front man SRV in 1990. This high-energy solo makes him an eternal inspiration to any piano player!
Thank you for being an eternal inspiration! Stay safe, stay healthy and enjoy playing…
From the original worldpianos.org blog, restored by Sing for Hope. View the archived original .