The Story of the Say Say Say Rhodes Piano

[@peterolofsson1824]

Great sound & playing, just like on the records! I heard Larry Dunn of Earth, Wind & Fire talk about how he removed the hammertips, and left it like that - striking the tines with the bare hammers, no tips! I think you can hear it on the "All 'N All" album.

[@billwolfer4020]

I saw Larry with that lineup of EWF five times back in the day. I've seen the current EWF several times too! Love, love, love EWF!

[@SergioGarcia-jg3yy]

I'm almost 60 y.o. and I can't believe I didn't know this man. Of course, I've recognized his sound immediately and I'm sure I've read his name in the credits hundreds of times, but now I'm discovering his albums. I'm really sorry for the delay mr. Wolfer, but I want to say a big thank you for your talent from the bottom of my heart!

[@billwolfer4020]

Better late than never!

[@tonylancer7367]

Bill, at least to my mind there are more than 10 Rhodes library including the official one from (what is now) the Rhodes company, but trust me when I say that there's some of us that want this sound including myself. I like what Greg Phillinganes said when playing a particular Rhodes model that we both liked, he said something along the lines of, "It's so good, you could have it with ice-cream" and that Bill is the sound I've been chasing after, the Rhodes, bell like, beautiful, sparkly and from the 80's that you can have with ice-cream and your Rhodes has the credentials for it, so yes, there's a market for a plugin!

[@billwolfer4020]

Very encouraging--thanks for this. I'm going to be reaching out to try to make it happen. I want it as a plugin too!

[@JFredick]

Wow is all I can say. The tone of your Rhodes is simply legendary, and honestly inspiring. You should reach out to Arturia during the next NAMM show. Honestly, this tone deserves to be released as a VI plugin. Thank you so much for this video.

[@StatelineMusic]

Agreed!

[@jakspin]

That's an amazing sound. Thank you so much for sharing this. I could listen to you play for hours straight

[@billwolfer4020]

Thanks. I hear it as very sloppy playing. I need to practice more--I quit playing for a few years, and I'm still working on getting my chops back. But thanks for the encouragement!

[@jtsotherone]

@@billwolfer4020 it has feel though, glad you're playing again, thanks for the video!

[@waynefoote3781]

Bill.....The sound on rocket love propels me into the stratosphere! The feel and whatever sound that you have on there is Healing to the ears & soul .....Way back when, Jon Gibson gave me a tape of songs from 'Wolf" He and I became great friends around summer 1980. I cried like a baby when I heard "Wake Up' ..... Jon who has a voice poured straight from heaven and you with those Magical hands were magnetized to work together! That collaboration completely knocked me out of my socks. "So shy" and "Why do you do me" are also still very refreshing to this very day. You see no one had that album, it wasn't out yet but I knew Jon so I was very lucky. I remember the Crazy stories of Johannon from Papa Stanley and Jon that had me rolling in laughter......I wonder if you and Jon will ever do an entire album together. I realize it was only 3 songs. Now as far as you enlightening us with your memories, this is extraordinarily entertaining. The in depth analysis to this Rhodes is very insightful. Please continue to share your stories. They warm our hearts and spirit greatly and I am certainly really look forward to them. Thank you so much Mr. Wolfer!

[@billwolfer4020]

I produced two albums for Jon. I always enjoyed working with him--he's so talented! Thanks for your comment. You can bet I'll continue to share my stories as long as people are willing to listen to them. I'm having fun doing this! There will be tales of Jon coming up as I'm more or less doing my career chronolgically.

[@waynefoote3781]

@@billwolfer4020 Thank you very much Bill!!

[@kevinpaige5746]

As an upcoming musician in the 1980’s, I totally loved the sound of the Say, Say, Say Rhodes! I always wondered, “why doesn’t mine sound like that?”. Also, I was obsessed with the kick drum sound on Say,,,,,

[@michaelwilson569]

Pure genius ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@lucabenzadon3569]

i really admire you!!! greetings from argentina

[@kingslaphappy1533]

I love how this Rhodes sounds with the changes that you made.❤

[@tonylancer7367]

I think you could try reach out to Thomas Scarbye (Scarbee Virtual Instruments), not sure of his schedule but he did release an EP library that George Duke was the inspiration for and gave feedback (before leaving us). I don't know if there's anyone at Native Instruments that would do it but it might be worthwhile to do. Jay Gradon did "The Famous E Rhodes", maybe he might be interested.

[@MikeLindup42]

Thanks Bill for sharing this beauty. When you played the intro to Rocket Love I went “ahhh”. The Rhodes is such an amazing instrument, and no two sound alike in my experience. I hope you find someone to create a sample library with you.

[@stiggyjames]

thank you so much for your anecdotes!! it’s so insane to hear about your specific one that’s all over amazing records. we chorus-rhodes obsessors collectively thank you for your service!🙏🏽

[@styrmugnsell4560]

Amazing playing, interesting story and thanks!

[@stevehofer3482]

Nice video. Beautiful music insightful commentary well-delivered.excellent video and sound quality.

[@sawsquaresinetube]

Thank you for sharing. 8:40 amazing sound! I still do not have my first Rhodes but I may end up applying your Mod when I do. Love it! 👏🏼

[@fritzb.3978]

Excellent info! Puts context to so much music made with a Rhodes. Love the salt and hot sauce analogy. I do that with my guitar’s wah pedal! May I offer video critique? I’d opt/vote for a little less vignette on the video. Just a pinch on the corners is enough to add some cinema feel. Maybe experiment with the feather slider too to soften the edge.

[@Itsmy2cent]

Did you happen to play on “I can’t help it” with Michael Jackson. I’ve never compared the sound but the Rhodes on that song are just lush and just kinda walk you through the intro and on, while the Bass is walking on the “road” of “Rhodes” (if I may be so bold) and the hihats and smooth yet crisp drums are the wind pushing you along. it’s something special. Kinda got this nocturnal kinda vibe, feeling good on the walk home groove. 🤷‍♂️ lol. A good jam

[@billwolfer4020]

I absolutely LOVe that song. No, I didn't play on it, but I learned to play it. Gorgeous tune!

[@Trollbot007]

Good ears…I had the same question, when he played that run at the beginning…I think Greg Phillanganes may have played Rhodes on it though.

[@noe1543]

Hey Bill. There's definitely a market for that Rhodes sound! Someone already suggested reaching out to Jay Graydon. You can also reach out to Greg Phillinganes. He has a relationship with Eric Persing and the guys at Spectrasonics. Perhaps they might be interested in adding your Rhodes to their Keyscape library...Love this channel. Glad folks are engaged with it.

[@Spineloro]

Sweet as a dessert ! ❤✨

[@blackvx]

Impressive! It sounds good and warm/analog like. Thank you so much 👍

[@AdeZ-]

Man I love how you played "All I Do" on the rhodes, sounded beautiful. Also love your humor. Thank you for sharing your insights, they're greatly appreciated. I wish there were plugins that could even half as much match this sound. The best option out there (from my personal experience) is Keyscape and even then it really just sounds flat compared to this. I hope you can get someone to sample it and make/get someone to make a plug-in out of it, and they do the justice it deserves.

[@rtnproducer]

Beautiful sounding Rhodes piano, would be amazing to have as a virtual instrument. I have tested many top tier electric piano/ rhodes plugins over the years and for me Scarbee Classic EP-88s is still the best when it comes to texture, dynamic response and attention to details. I'm sure that Thomas Skarbye could capture the essence of your wonderful Rhodes piano.

[@andytupaia]

Hey bill thanks for the information your Rhodes sounds so sweet feels good to all these stories behind it

[@mrgooakalegooster]

History!

[@eranzilber1]

Aw thanx man!!!! maybe try to install soft mallets on the treble keys in combination of the hard bass ones. Just my thought to balance sound things...

[@magicskyway]

A sonic personality. :) Apt and a cute way of putting it.

[@eliasmodernell3348]

Amazing vid. Would you consider making a vid giving your impression on the creative process. I know you probably weren't there when Macca and MJ wrote it but probably you have some insight on who did what. And further than than who arranged and contributed what in the recording. Thanks

[@billwolfer4020]

Thanks! Did you watch my vdeo "The Making of SAY SAY SAY"? As far as what the creative process was when Paul and Michael wrote it, I have no idea.

[@chayalexanderwright]

Definitely make a deal with one of the plugin companies model this gem of an instrument!

[@johnwilliams-ih3pv]

I’d buy the plug in ! I have lusted after that sound ever since wolf !!

[@buzzsmith8146]

I had the Dyno-My mod on my (3rd) Rhodes way back when. It didn't sound as good as yours does, but it was a big improvement over the "stock" Rhodes.

[@dmgsoultogetherness6667]

sounds amazing.

[@soundlimit300]

Talk to Jay Graydon,he did the Famous E Rhodes and had it scripted by Orange Tree Samples.

[@billwolfer4020]

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.

[@Lizzard-t]

What a glorious sound And what a glorious man. This type of video is an absolute treasure.ive actually learnt something that I will treasure.and take with me for ever . Thank you so much. I wonder if that Rhodes was used on the song "That girl"by Stevie wonder?

[@billwolfer4020]

THAT GIRL is a prime example of this kind of Rhodes sound--good catch!

[@socalltd]

In Stevie Wonders That Girl, the Rhodes modified sound always stuck out to me.

[@billwolfer4020]

Yah, that's a good call, I had forgotten about THAT GIRL, and I worked on that song! We sampled the background vocals into the Fairlight. The flute was a Fairlight sound we made, too.

[@100states6]

Bill, did you find these changes? The Rhodes with the chorus is the signature sound of this track. I listened to it over and over when I got my SONY Walkman 2 from my parents because of your Rhodes.

[@retrovideogamejunkie]

Each time I hear that piano alone , I imagine a scene of the city raining.... Why I have that notion?

[@jakspin]

Boss re-released the original chorus pedal as the CE-2w. Sounds really nice

[@billwolfer4020]

I bet it does

[@marcusjknight]

Hi Bill. Was your Grey Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble / Modified by Paul Rivera ? I think the one at Westlake on the track Thriller was ?

[@billwolfer4020]

No, it was just the stock model. Was the modification to get rid of some of the noise? It was a bit noisy.

[@marcusjknight]

@@billwolfer4020 From the late 1970s, early 80s. The modifications by Rivera Research and Development were not intended to change the sound of the pedal, but rather add greater functionality and flexibility to an already amazing effects pedal. These modifications include: Input gain control pot instead of the original "high/low" switch. The CE-1 can sound killer when overdriven, but it often proved problematic for players who didn't want any dirt on their clean, chorused sound. This modification improves headroom and still allows the user to choose to clip the pedal input as much - even more - as it could pre-modification. Expanded Chorus controls - Rivera provided more control over the Chorus section by exchanging the usual "Intensity" control for Rate and Depth controls. This allows the dialing in of slow, swimming, gentle movement all the way to gooey, seasick warble - all with the maintained voice of the CE-1. Face plate graphic remachined and relabeled to reflect changes!

[@billwolfer4020]

@@marcusjknight Sounds nice!

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

In fact, I didn’t think “Say Say Say” was played o a Rhodes piano. I thought it was played on (something like) the Yamaha GS1. Must’ve been the processing and equalization in the final mix. That sort of mistake happened for me a few times, particularly concerning tracks recorded by Robbie Buchanan, before I learned about the Dyna-my-Piano mods. The only authentic Rhodes model I’ve owned was my friend’s suitcase unit (made before they were referred to by that name). I only had it for 10 months before the amp gave out on me. If it were a stage model, I would still own and play it today. From 2011 to 2024, I’ve learned to enjoy the presets on my Yamaha S90XS.

[@robshrock-shirakbari1862]

Or Mattias at Toontrack... for the EZ Keys series.

[@kadiummusic]

Hi, does anybody know how to contact Bill, I have somebody interested in sampling his Rhodes. 😎

[@billwolfer4020]

Hi. Email bill at mamborama dot com.

[@breakznenta]

Tone 🎉❤

[@ytnsanw]

Dave MacRae (of Ian Carr's Nucleus) did the same to his Rhodes in the early 70's.

[@ytnsanw]

Favorite example - Summer Rain: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qnalfKqqp7Kbnqc (Rhodes solo around 2 minutes in)

[@PoboyMusic]

I always thought the drums on the actual recording sounded like a linn drum. Guess i was wrong.

[@kingjojo15]

Kids, do not try this at home.

[@MackAxyzz]

legit

[@fbowie21]

Probably Robert margouleff

[@autismguy2060]

Im sorry but MoogerFooger Clusterflux?? 😂😂😂

[@Technoriety]

Please don't keep an original Rhodes piano in your closet. It deserves pride of place in your home.😊