From Beethoven to ROCK🔥 (The History Of Rock Piano)

Rock piano didn't begin when you think it began. The icons of rock piano like Little Richard, The Beatles, and Queen can all trace their sound influences as far back as Beethoven.
So, join Styx frontman Lawrence Gowan as he takes you on a journey through the history of the piano in rock music.
Buckle up, we'll be covering 225 years of rock piano in just 10 minutes
⚡️Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:21 - Beethoven
0:39 - Ragtime
2:15 - Little Richard
3:23 - The Beatles
4:31 - Elton John
5:41 - Descending Rock Bass Line
6:22 - Queen
6:49 - Genesis - Firth of Fifth
7:43 - Genesis - Turn It On Again
8:43 - Gowan
10:32 - Outro
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#pianote #rockpiano #lawrencegowan

[@PianoteOfficial]

Learn more about Gowan's song list on our blog > www.pianote.com/blog/lawrence-gowan-history-of-rock-piano/

[@jasonwilliams6005]

Gowan is incredible

[@conexant51]

Lawrence' ability to emulate such distinct voices as John McCartney and Freddie Mercury is truly jaw dropping. Wow!

[@nicksm7980]

You mean George McCartney?

[@MichaelCortese1]

@@nicksm7980 I believe he means Ringo McCartney

[@thomasdussault1132]

Gowan is just incredible!

[@SeanYeomans71]

If I write a comment that expresses * how deeply 'Strange Animal' the album is ingrained in my consciousness, * how subliminally omnipresent the themes and melodies are in my daydreams and musical ideations, * that whatever measure of perfect pitch I may have is reliant on the G-Bb-D-A ringing in my memory... * and what that song did to my wakening adolescent mind in the near pitch-black dead of night to the opening 1-3-5-9, piercing the veil of sleep and opening my experience to a higher level of music appreciation.. Will Lawrence see it?? That would be amazing. Seriously, though, I was a huge fan in the 80s, I even tried desperately for years to grow my hair like his, but I never did see him Live, let alone meet him to thank him in person. I'm legitimately thrilled to see him in this format, so intimate and close. Your voice still kills, Larry!

[@MKPiatkowski]

For me it's A Criminal Mind. I got to see him live most recently in November. Hope you get a chance to!

[@gowan8561]

Thank you, @SeanYeomans71!

[@SiovansinSere2]

Love Gowan, love his passion for music.

[@James_48]

It was so great to hear him do Strange Animal again. I’m sure he loves his work with Styx but I’d love to see a concert of his best solo work.

[@mistercorkyschannel]

Essential video for anyone who loves music. The evolution of the techniques, the history and the SUPERB playing by Gowan, makes it mandatory. And the singing is top notch too.

[@kleeklee4572]

Oh my god this dudes amazing.

[@MKPiatkowski]

Wanting to break down Gowan's songs to cover I appreciated hearing about his influences. I've heard him play that ragtime piece before but it was great to get a close up. Thank you!

[@Topcatyo.]

I really enjoyed this video! Obviously it's not going to be 100% comprehensive for a 10 minute video, but I appreciate the insight and history I learned from this video. I think it's interesting how the video was more focused on Lawrence's influences personally. I think there's a lot of value in hearing what inspired people to make what they did.

[@turningupdb]

That was incredible! What a lovely voice.

[@dianetuttle3345]

This was just magic love GOWAN!!!

[@matthewnedlwonk]

Some serious piano playing there 👍👏

[@joelrosa5016]

Wow you’re an amazing artist… you are exactly the type of person who it’s an inspiration in my life. Thank you and thanks all of you pianote’s in the world…. Animo !!!!

[@catherine6653]

Wonderful piano playing. Thank you so much for this entertaining video. I will keep practicing.

[@gowan8561]

Please note (or should I say pianote?) when watching this video that there are so many great rock pianists I wish we could have covered in this "brief" history. Billy Joel, Billy Preston, Nicky Hopkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Rick Wakeman, Keith Emerson, Jelly Roll Morton, Johnnie Johnson, Fats Waller... my list could go on for days. I would encourage you to seek out the players who most inspire your own playing (as I did) and let them carry you away! Cheers

[@richmurphy8144]

Agreed. I clearly heard Rick Wakeman in the Tony Banks 70's section above. Part of what I love about the history of music.

[@tubefishing6969]

Lets take this a step further. A Gowan solo album full of his favorite piano covers.

[@Laurierecovers]

So educational. Love your talent. See you at The Budweiser Stage in June

[@jeffspadaro5773]

Never realized what an amazing pianist you are. Amazing listen to and watch!!! Love what you do!!! And the break down of Styx songs is so helpful! Loved Strange Animal! Criminal mind was such a cool song!

[@jim-elliott]

It's (You're A) Strange Animal and A Criminal Mind. Get it right.

[@jeffspadaro5773]

Whatever dude! Lighten up!@@jim-elliott

[@jim-elliott]

@@jeffspadaro5773 Oh, my sincerest apologies for daring to correct the titles of Gowan's masterpieces. Clearly, my delicate sensibilities were overstepped by your profound grasp of song names. And here I thought precision in appreciating art mattered. But hey, I'll just "lighten up," as you so graciously suggested. Cheers to the blissful world of musical inaccuracy! 🎶🙄

[@rinalarabie8100]

How are your fingers not smoking after that ragtime tune?????

[@kittikatkat9]

man, those ragtime 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@RicksMusicChannel518]

Perfect timing for this video. I just got a job at a rock music school and I’m going to be teaching keys.

[@PianoteOfficial]

Tell us about YOUR piano heros? Which iconic artists should we talk about next time?

[@Martin-no7dc]

Billy Joel ❤

[@tonyalberto4075]

Elton John

[@theghostofsw6276]

Supertramp.

[@jongilbertson2106]

Since my favorites have already been mentioned, let me add Ray Charles.

[@bindumanoj698]

Cristin martin

[@GaryBook]

Paul McCartney played piano as a child with his father. He played the standards. I suspect that is where his great sense of melody from. He is the best piano player in the Beatles. John brilliantly produced wonderful hooks on piano, Ringo wrote the wonderful simple Don’t Pass Me By and George added synthesizer to their later albums.

[@jongilbertson2106]

That is unless you consider George Martin to be the fifth Beatle.

[@paulforget383]

You're a Strange Animal Gowan. That's what I know. My first concert ever was Gowan, August 1985, at The Spectrum in Montreal.

[@ryno6101]

Great❤❤

[@juliestella7565]

Thank you so much ❤

[@bettinastadelmann]

Such a great video...👍🎹 love it...🎹❤

[@PianoteOfficial]

Thank you for watching!😉

[@legiontheatregroup]

Wonderful video! I would just add to your list composer Jim Steinman, who brilliantly incorporated piano into emotional rock and roll hits of the 70s, 80s and 90s for artists such as Meat Loaf, Air Supply, Bonnie Tyler and Celine Dion, as well as into his rock operas like Dance of the Vampires.

[@arrivalsband9201]

Still a great voice Mr Gowan.... thank you for this

[@gu5574]

excelent musician

[@susanwestbrook4383]

Gowan can't touch Dennis DeYoung's vocals, but I gotta say, he's really earned my respect as a pianist.

[@MKPiatkowski]

I appreciate he's not trying to sound like Dennis. Highly recommend listening to his solo albums.

[@robertyoungs3181]

Thanks

[@lorrainedileo4229]

damn mad hatter 🎩 you truly are amazing 🤩 to watch

[@decastring]

This was an excellent music history and appreciation lesson! Is anyone at Pianote willing to create a Spotify playlist that illustrates the concepts shown in this video? Thanks!

[@vinaymusic2242]

No Billy joel 😭😭

[@GaryBook]

Billy Joel is a terrific piano player. His material is more complex. He is classically trained and more in the style of the American Songbook than rock n roll.

[@gowan8561]

@gowan8561 20 hours ago (edited) Please note (or should I say pianote?) when watching this video that there are so many great rock pianists I wish we could have covered in this "brief" history. Billy Joel, Billy Preston, Nicky Hopkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Rick Wakeman, Keith Emerson, Jelly Roll Morton, Johnnie Johnson, Fats Waller... my list could go on for days. I would encourage you to seek out the players who most inspire your own playing (as I did) and let them carry you away! Cheers

[@davidharkess4273]

I am new to piano. Love the videos. Is it worth putting labels on the keys.

[@michaelbeeministries2020]

🎹 🌞👍

[@emmanueleke664]

Nice documentary.

[@michaelschnaus7479]

I thought it would end in contemporary rock music and not in the year 1985. Dont get me wrong, Lawrence did a fantastic job here. But I missed rock music from 2010 - 2022. For example Radiohead, Muse, Tame impala, The Killers, Arcade Fire and so on. Greetings from germany

[@gowan8561]

Thanks, I love all those acts you mention, you have great musical taste! Within the constraints of ten minutes it made sense to highlight the pianistic styles that lead up to my solo Gowan records (that began in 1982). Perhaps in future we can focus beyond. I'd also add Keane to the list of excellent newer piano styles. Cheers!

[@jonathanmong4927]

Rock piano uses the piano almost like it's more of a percussion instrument than a melodic instrument.

[@BigReputationTS]

Can you please make a tutorial for better in time by Leona Lewis I really want to learn it

[@ricardobastianon5362]

And Yes, Rick Wakeman…and Supertramp?

[@gowan8561]

@gowan8561 20 hours ago (edited) Please note (or should I say pianote?) when watching this video that there are so many great rock pianists I wish we could have covered in this "brief" history. Billy Joel, Billy Preston, Nicky Hopkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Rick Wakeman, Keith Emerson, Jelly Roll Morton, Johnnie Johnson, Fats Waller... my list could go on for days. I would encourage you to seek out the players who most inspire your own playing (as I did) and let them carry you away! Cheers

[@davidbalan6571]

225 year's rock piano in the 10 minutes in year's 70's and 90's jazz blues rocks liked scorpions kings and groups band Aerosmith.

[@Michelle6998832]

There is so much talent & charm in a single man, too much 😍 ❤ (please don't be a maga republican 🙄 🙏 )

[@thelevisullivan]

Where’s Billy Joel?

[@PianoteOfficial]

There are SO many legends - We'd love to do another video that includes ALL of our heros! Who else did would you put on that list?

[@thelevisullivan]

@@PianoteOfficial Guys like Fats Domino and Jerry Lee Lewis

[@gowan8561]

@gowan8561 20 hours ago (edited) Please note (or should I say pianote?) when watching this video that there are so many great rock pianists I wish we could have covered in this "brief" history. Billy Joel, Billy Preston, Nicky Hopkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Rick Wakeman, Keith Emerson, Jelly Roll Morton, Johnnie Johnson, Fats Waller... my list could go on for days. I would encourage you to seek out the players who most inspire your own playing (as I did) and let them carry you away! Cheers

[@rcom9880]

Rock pianists 1970's to the present. That about covers it. Or did he miss someone? Hmmm, who's missing, hmmm, who could it be...

[@generalbarry]

You went from Little Richard to The Beatles, and jumped right over Jerry Lee?

[@gowan8561]

@gowan8561 20 hours ago (edited) Please note (or should I say pianote?) when watching this video that there are so many great rock pianists I wish we could have covered in this "brief" history. Billy Joel, Billy Preston, Nicky Hopkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Rick Wakeman, Keith Emerson, Jelly Roll Morton, Johnnie Johnson, Fats Waller... my list could go on for days. I would encourage you to seek out the players who most inspire your own playing (as I did) and let them carry you away! Cheers

[@howtodoitdude1662]

He did Elton but skiped Billy Joel.

[@yuloren]

jerry lee lewis

[@hdguy350]

You skipped over a whole generation of boogie-woogie blues players like Meade Lux Lewis, Jellyroll Morton, Amos Milburn, Professor Longhair and Johnnie Johnson (I can’t believe you missed him) without whom rock and roll wouldn’t exist.

[@gowan8561]

You are correct and I fully agree with all you've mentioned! Unfortunately we had to fit this into a "brief" history. I played quite a bit of Jelly Roll Morton early on (Grampa's Spells was a fav) and of course Johnnie Johnson was a major architect of rock piano. It was such an honour to play and record alongside him just a few years ago... I was was just listening to Johnnie again yesterday! All the best.

[@ross-spencer]

Amazing history. The original song is a bit cringy though 😬

[@klaushinz5875]

Rock starts with John Fogerty and CCR.

[@tonyalberto4075]

Thank You @PianoteOfficial for the Spanish Subtitles, Great Video w/ Gowan !!