On January 21, 2025, Eric Garth Hudson died aged 87. He was multi-instrumentalist (piano, keyboards, accordion and saxophone), member of the Burrito DeLux, but was best known as the keyboardist and saxophonist for The Band. In 1994, as member of The Band, he was inducted into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame”. Magazine “Keyboard” described Hudson as “the most brilliant organist in the rock world”. As leader, Hudson released three albums (two studio and one live).
Tag Archives: keyboardist
Christine McVie
On November 30, 2022, Christine Anne McVie née Perfect, died aged 79. She was musician (keyboards), singer and songwriter, member of the bands Sounds of Blue and Chicken Shack, but was best known as vocalist and keyboardist of Fleetwood Mac. In 1998, as a member of Fleetwood Mac, McVie was inducted into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame” and received the “Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music”.In 2006, McVie received a “Gold Badge of Merit Award from BASCA”, in 2014, she received the “Ivor Novello Award for Lifetime Achievement” from the “British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors” and was honored with the “Trailblazer Award at the UK Americana Awards” in 2021. McVie also won two “Grammy Awards”. As leader, McVie released four albums (one with Lindsey Buckingham).
Vincent Crane
On February 14, 1989, Vincent Rodney Cheesman aka Vincent Crane, died aged 45. He was musician (keyboards), best known as member of bands The Crazy World of Arthur Brown and Atomic Rooster.
Tommy Eyre
On May 21, 2001, Tommy Eyre died aged 52. He was musician (keyboards, piano), as a session musician recorded and performed with John Martyn, Alex Harvey, Greg Lake, Michael Schenker, Gary Moore, B.B. King, John Mayall, Tracy Chapman Wham!, Marc Almond, Scarlet Rivera, Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation, Blue Whale, Jaklin, Riff Raff and ZZebra, but he was best known for playing on Joe Cocker’s “With A Little Help From My Friends”, Gerry Rafferty’s “Baker Street” and “Right Down the Line”. As leader Eyre has released seven albums.
Rick Wright
On September 15, 2008, Richard William “Rick” Wright died aged 65. He was musician (keyboards), composer, singer and songwriter, best known as founding member, keyboardist and vocalist of Pink Floyd. He recorded and performed on all Pink Floyd’s albums except on “The Final Cut”.
Keith Emerson
On March 11, 2016, Keith Noel Emerson died aged 71. He was composer and keyboardist, member of the Keith Emerson Trio, John Brown’s Bodies, Gary Farr and the T-Bones, The V.I.P.’s, P. P. Arnold and The Nice, but he was best known as founding member and keyboardist of Emerson, Lake & Palmer (ELP). Emerson is widely regarded as the greatest keyboardist in the history of rock music.
Billy Preston
On June 6, 2006, William Everett “Billy” Preston, died aged 59. He was musician (keyboards, Hammond organ), Grammy-winning artist, recorded and performed with some of the greatest names in the modern music history, including the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Sam Cooke, Nat King Cole, Little Richard, Ray Charles, George Harrison, Elton John, Eric Clapton and Bob Dylan. Preston also had a successful solo career, his best known songs include “That’s the way God planned it”, “Outa-Space”, “Will it go round in circles”, “Space Race”, and “Nothing from nothing”.