TOP 20 KEYBOARD INTROS OF ALL TIME

In this video I countdown my Top 20 Keyboard Intros of All-Time.
Les Hall- Instagram @537studios
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Ray Rossetti
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[@RickBeato]

For those non-musicians that have written to me you can donate to my channel through this link on my website rickbeato.com/pages/donate Or you can become a member of the Beato Club. My Beato Club is exactly like Patreon.

[@charleslaine]

Hey Rick, I just wanted to say hi. I absolutely love your channel. I have learned more about music from you than any other source. I'm so glad to have found your channel a few years back. Keep up the good work!!!

[@theodoreplayspiano3029]

Hi Rick , I would love another top 20 keyboard piano video . Another star , stevie wonder comes to mind .

[@jakobkoprivnik6372]

the idea for similar videos could be the most iconic/best guitars/keyboards/basses

[@metalboy5150]

@@armageddon2419 10 Years Gone wouldn't fit in a keyboard video. Unless you were just talking about badass intros, in which case, for sure. One of my favorite songs by that band we can't name or it will get our comments demonetized.

[@markrymanowski719]

No 1 is lifted from Bach. Not totally original. As much as i love the song.... shouldn't be No 1.

[@jonathanbewick5492]

”The great gig in the sky” intro is so powerful, deserves a spot.

[@fraschella80]

Jonathan Bewick Shine on you crazy diamond too

[@David_Theisen]

Francesco Valerio Raschellà the keyboards in the first 3 minutes are just soaringly beautiful!!

[@rushabhsakpaldrumzz]

I clicked on this video only because I thought they will mention the great gig in the sky but it wasn’t even mentioned, why?

[@nzp9465]

Rushabh Sakpal I would say because it’s sort of also based on how popular the song was and that wasn’t one of the super popular songs off of that record

[@RushfanUK]

@@nzp9465 That record being Dark Side Of The Moon, just one of the biggest records ever, everything from that album is super popular numpty.

[@drewwigginton381]

Riders On The Storm by the Doors also had a beautiful, jazzy intro.

[@pcatful]

OH YEAH. Well Ray M --what can you say??? So many cool ones.

[@FionaEm]

Definitely! It has a cool but slightly creepy vibe.

[@victorcurtis6400]

Come to think of it you are right. Riders is the better more iconic Doors choice.

[@CTjacob13]

That song starts with bass and drums though.

[@innosanto]

Ana amazing one, but pight my fire ja even more iconic.

[@gabrielnascimento161]

I love the way you modify songs from blockers. It is, indeed, absurd you can't play, but you face this with knowledge and humor.

[@excaliburhead]

Always liked the keyboard intro on Dancin’ in the Moonlight.

[@jaregoguzoref4821]

It's firth of fifth. The name of the song

[@bromleysimon7414]

That was my suggestion too, from the King Harvest version. It's an intro which is featured as counterpoint throughout the entire song.

[@CulturedHeathen]

Toto's "Hold the Line"...instantly recognizable. Thanks for letting Les display his talents. I am always envious of multi-instrumentalists.

[@scottclitherw1235]

Maybe I'm wrong, because it's literally 1 beat, but Hold The Line might be more accurately in luded in the best drum intros- 1 snair beat.... ha

[@dancomber9768]

And Rosanna

[@gabrielpaiva9070]

@@dancomber9768 Rosanna has a drum beat before the keyboard enters.

[@dancomber9768]

@@gabrielpaiva9070 so does Hold the Line.

[@ArrowMaster_]

Love you bro❤

[@WDRhine]

The extended piano intro to "Locomotive Breath" deserved a spot. It does exactly what an intro should do.

[@mihaigheorghiu2211]

Totally agree with you, but be aware that Rick Beato does not like very much english bands. 😞

[@artrandy]

@@mihaigheorghiu2211 I think he's intimidated by some of them, they're naturally & culturally alien to him, though he wont admit it. He's not a man especially concerned with lyrics anyway, but when to his ears bands are musically and lyrically weird sounding, he avoids them. So don't expect much classic Tull or Genesis, cos Dance on a Volcano is as adventurous as he gets. Its a pity, he obviously grew up with Zeppelin and the Beatles, so he gets them, but maybe he should reach out and spend the time getting to know other gems of the period......

[@JonRobLew]

@@mihaigheorghiu2211 What nationality are Beatles, Genesis, Eric Clapton, Procol Harum, Coldplay, Elton John, Who then? Yeah he hates English bands 😂

[@mihaigheorghiu2211]

@@JonRobLew Fantastic addition Jon ! Thank You !

[@mccallosone4903]

Unfortunately, for all his knowledge, i dont think Rick is a Jethro Tull fan

[@JH-ev7wn]

That dude is a monster. Would love too see the process of him learning these. The Boston intro was ridiculous. Awesome, Rick

[@internetresearch6057]

Jim Woodman the Boston cover was amazing!

[@trimegz3105]

Saw top 20 key board intros, and I was like I wonder if Foreplay/ long time is on here

[@stvp68]

Jim Woodman loved that Boston intro!

[@Jaasau]

I loved the Boston clip as well!

[@danielhogan7749]

I used to see Tom Scholz figure skating in the Boston area. I played hockey so I was at the rink quite a bit. One time they were playing Third Stage during a public session, then when the session was over I saw him and his wife (GF?) coming in. He had rented the ice for the next hour. I mentioned they had just played his album, and he got a kick out of it. Very down to Earth dude.

[@snowboard_coach]

Who's here after seeing Rick get owned by Matthew Fisher?

[@HubsSub]

Me lol

[@CraigKostelecky]

I was looking for his comment before going back to the new video to hear Rick say it was an e-mail :D

[@SuperWhofan1]

Everyone!

[@genx60five]

Yep.

[@greekandbulgariangamertv8633]

Yep

[@xacxdcx]

Lazy - Deep Purple one of the most amazing keyboard intros ever!

[@timothyhudson7999]

FlyingR thank you!!!!

[@AUCongnitiveRealist]

Yes! Can’t believe John Lord didn’t even rate a mention. The guy is a keyboard legend.

[@batzilla]

Yes, John Lord should be on the list, but I prefer the intro of Perfect Strangers

[@felipeleao7562]

EXACTLY!!!! I miss Jon and Keith Emerson too...

[@Mr_tp78]

Dead on. No Gillian on best rock vocalist, no Jon Lord on best keyboard intros...Beatles and Journey out the wahzoo though...

[@brogarn]

The "unique rendition" of number 11 had me in tears from laughing. It was fantastically terrible and was like a musical flipping of the bird towards blockers. Well done.

[@PeterLGଈ]

My wife gave a strangled cry from the other side of the room, I LOL'd. 🤣

[@waltkimballjr5133]

Copyright ???

[@bedazzled64]

This was incredible. Les NAILED it with Boston Foreplay. Just incredible!

[@The05Phatboy]

The transition from the piano intro on Fifth of Firth to organ and bass peddles is extraordinary. So that Intro is definitely a song on it's own. The genius of Tony Banks and early Genesis.

[@gadbel685]

one critique: keep the names of the songs longer on the screen. I find myself going back on the timeline for it.

[@schoemie]

Agreed!

[@msudawg1997]

Me too

[@gadbel685]

@Sean Brennan how dare you?

[@rafterrafter1227]

I agree!

[@Dannyt077]

@Sean Brennan Rich has several learning disabilities, the poor guy has severe diabetes. Be kinder

[@johnkruton9708]

The RUSH Subdivisions lick had me filling in the drum parts automatically in my head……that is how iconic it was for me…

[@huutsiakka]

absolutely same! this song is incredible

[@artheriford]

Neil just kills on that song

[@geob3963]

Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleading - Elton Your Time is Gonna Come - Led Zep Hold the Line - Toto Home at Last - Steely Dan Hymn to Freedom - Oscar Peterson Child of Vision -Supertramp

[@davidseres3030]

A great song with many standout musical parts...I was also thinking about (the intro of) Funeral For a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding...technically, (what may be) the ARP synthesizer does not start until 0:31...then "crescendo" #1 starts at 0:58...a greater "crescendo" #2 starts at 1:16...and then the piano starts around 1:40...back when I got my first drumkit (late '73), I learned to play songs from the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album...great album...

[@DavonBertoli]

Well Toto have several, Child's anthem, make believe, hold the line, 99 etc...

[@saswatogupta6128]

@@DavonBertoli I won't hold you back

[@albinospino3089]

Love the Toto entry. They're such a popular band but other than Lukather they are often forgotten.

[@tonyflora3945]

👍👍👍 Especially with Funeral for a Friend!

[@johnnance1414]

Bruce Hornsby’s intro on ‘The Way It Is’ is one of my favorites.

[@jharvable]

Who wanted to hear the rest of Foreplay/Long Time? That organ playing was excellent

[@joshuafreedman7703]

Jim Harvey Absolutely! All the way to "Amen" at the end! 😁💗

[@robertfinck1275]

Absolutely. That is definitely my number one pick for all time.

[@MichaelSheehy75]

Smokin' by Boston has a...pretty smokin'...keyboard bridge.

[@1rem1Art]

watch?v=3QbNbFEEFG4

[@1badsteed]

After that I went and listened to it...came back to this video

[@not_jackvd4544]

I feel like the gold mine for amazing keyboard riffs and intros that is Styx was totally overlooked. "Come Sail Away" and "Fooling Yourself (Angry Young Man)" have some of the greatest and most recognizable keyboard intros of all time and should at least be given an honourable mention. Every other selection on this list was great, however, and I appreciate all of the work put into these videos!

[@Yosty93]

I’d have to second that… initially I was thinking Blue Collar Man but now remembering Come Sail Away im sad Styx did not make the list at all!

[@cmo8180]

How neither 'Come Sail Away' OR 'Foolin' Yourself' didn't even make an honorable mention is laughable. Easily two of the most recognizable and true keyboard intros...period.

[@kaydavis382]

Styx seems to not make your list(s). Why? They are a wonderfully talented band, Mr. Roboto excepted.

[@RonanDahlman-ci1ql]

Blue Collar Man is really awesome, too. You’re telling me Styx doesn’t show up at all?? Bullshit.

[@BDUBZ49]

Because if Rick talks about Styx...it's one less time that he gets to mention Boston, Journey, Beatles, Nirvana, Tool. Steely Dan, etc... the same 10-12 bands he always talks about.

[@jg12357]

Riders on The Storm has far and away the best keyboard intro I've ever heard.

[@jurepotokar9068]

I would say Light my Fire's intro is even better.

[@neilfalcon7266]

I agree

[@isher9035]

Riders on the Storm has a great intro...because it's simple. But it sets the mood.

[@d112cons]

True, but really more of a bass intro woth a keyboard solo. Still great. Tip of the hat to the OUTRO - Faith No More - Epic

[@marisolmanzano2041]

To me the best part is Ray on keyboards playing the middle section..... EPIC!!!!

[@DontLetTheOldManIn]

Who’s here after the Whiter Shade story?? Haha!

[@beorlingo]

He should pin that comment

[@johnmat4678]

Done on purpose. You then have to watch both videos. More $$$ for him.

[@DontLetTheOldManIn]

@@johnmat4678. Well, it was entertaining, and really pretty outrageous that his buddy was that great of a player to learn all these tunes on what was probably short notice. So of course no one should mind Rick making a buck for more views. He has to pay all these people, and the player, probably handsomely.

[@CoolJacketCoder]

Me revisiting 😃

[@thejuiceweasel]

That "Foreplay/Long Time" one made me really happy. It's in my opinion one of the best openers in rock, criminally underrated, every instrument get's to shine in that one.

[@buddyalbert5808]

Agree

[@kubotwostringz]

I come back to this video every few months or so to listen to this part. 10:19

[@backslash68]

me too, and it reminded me that Tom Scholz is a total musical genius.

[@hughmungus1767]

Tubular Bells by Mike Oldfield. The whole lengthy piece is an ongoing elaboration of the keyboard intro.

[@StoryeTime]

Good one!

[@77pax]

Get this guy a beer! That keyboard intro introduced minimalism into rock music when it became a hit.

[@Euthymia]

And as such is against the arbitrary rules. 'member, he said it shouldn't just be a main or repeating riff from the rest of the song sans vocals

[@Talismantra]

They cover that... it's not a rule just a theme for the favourites in this list

[@Tom-ok2rh]

Definitely should have been on the list. A true masterpiece always wonder how someone so young had such a tune in his head like that 🤔

[@alfonsoesquerre4847]

"The Way it Is" , Bruce Hornsby "Head Over Heels" Tears for Fears

[@timcastelein6598]

indeed

[@gregordvs]

Duran Duran rio.

[@FlatFeeDjs]

Absolutely agree with you

[@keithlemley6925]

Show Goes On - Bruce Hornsby

[@NickFrom1228]

Deparado, Eagles

[@BenXM]

Scrolling through all these comments, and shockingly, only ONE person has mentioned “Chest Fever” by The Band, one of the most ICONIC organ intros I’ve heard in my entire life.

[@larrypower8659]

I did, so now there are two.

[@JFisher-kl5fx]

@@larrypower8659 Me three... In fact, I watched this whole video just to see if "Chest Fever" was in it. Maybe Rick will add it as an honorable mention someday.

[@malpajam]

At least 4 now

[@GreatCircle360]

Agreed, such a grinding tone!

[@solomonkane223]

You somehow missed Toto's "Hold the line". Very powerful & dynamic hook that grabs you from the get go.

[@boogie404]

I love playing Toto on the bass!

[@marleylawson5310]

first song I thought when I seen the name of the video

[@eriktarrao7656]

Oh, fucking great pick.

[@tinocasavecchia3020]

It is a great pick, but Jeff Porcaro hits that snare & that is all I need to know what's coming next.

[@stretchchris1]

This comment wasn't on time

[@michaelrawson6261]

ELO - Telephone Line. O bla di o bla da. Lionel Richie - Easy. Golden Brown. Another great vid Rick. Les rekindles the very spirit of Les Dawson in the playing of "that" Queen track!!! 😂😂😂

[@cleanhit777]

All the right notes...not necessarily in the right order...for everyone in the UK 🙂

[@wardwhitehead]

GOLDEN BROWN… 100%

[@marywinning7430]

I would vote for Stevie Wonder's "Superstition" - that intro is superb.

[@edwarddodge7937]

One of the greatest drum intros as well.

[@logankeilty4529]

It’s an drum intro I know because I played it in a band

[@jimlemke3658]

Stevie could be on that list a few times!

[@joseduenas4946]

It's the same as Tiny Dancer though, a riff that repeats throughout the song more than an intro...

[@keyman8072]

Was just going to post this...but I'm posting "Trampled Undefoot" instead. (Zeppelin) It's a short intro before the vocal kick in, but it's undeniably great.

[@Mark-sj3xb]

Funeral For a Friend is an entire song and keyboard masterpiece that is the i ro for Love Lies Bleeding

[@trashmon]

YES THANK YOU!!! I can’t believe they went with Sun Goes Down…😢

[@jonmoore3303]

They're simple, but always loved "Jane", Jefferson Starship, and "Hold The Line", Toto.

[@jwhite1016aol]

Thats the 2 i was looking for also.. especially. All of those nights.. we spent together

[@gkjs2003]

They totally should've done Hold the Line!

[@LuisHansenNH]

Exactly what I was gonna say

[@michaeldunahee4537]

Agreed! Another one I love from Jefferson Starship is "Count on Me".

[@gerrywagoner26]

Bruce Hornsby "Just the Way it Is" Emerson Lake and Palmer "Trilogy." Dire Straits "Walk of Life."

[@jenniferchough]

Ah man, Bruce Hornsby, YES!! Even Mandolin Rain, at least, should have gotten a mention. Iconic!

[@FurtherReview]

@@jenniferchough "Mandolin Rain," absolutely! I was just thinking of that one as I was listening to the top 20 on this list. He should have made room for at least one Hornsby song, and I'd give the heartfelt piano intro to "Mandolin Rain" the slight edge.

[@raymondarata6549]

No Emerson Lake and Palmer on the list? I can think of 5 songs, 2 of them alone on the Tarkus album.

[@maxinewatermaker6162]

And how about Dire Straits "Money for Nothing"?

[@a2ndopynyn]

"Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)" by Styx. No way that doesn't belong.

[@QuantumBeeWellness]

Les is an amazing pianist! I love how you guys took the time to play every song on the right type of keyboard to honour the original. A few other notable mentions: - Locomotive Breath - Jethro Tull - Feelin' Alright - Leon Russell playing with Joe Cocker/Mad Dog and the Englishmen - The inconquerable Garth Hudson and his wild solo into Chest Fever

[@moviegurrl707]

Les is More for sure!

[@timstarrett9697]

Iron Butterfly's "InA-Gadda-Da-Vida" comes to mind

[@joeb4142]

Tragically under appreciated.

[@gelchert]

“Please rise for our opening hymn, ummm, “In the Garden of Eden,” by I. Ron Butterfly.”

[@patrickvolk7031]

My thought exactly. A radio station where I live would play it at 11 on Friday night.

[@wb1985]

17 minutes later…

[@teelurizzo8542]

Whoa! @ 6:27 - Thelonious Monk plays Queen! What a great rendition! All in all, surely a killer list. Thanks Rick!

[@BriansBrain2025]

Must say that was objectively funny.

[@loddude5706]

Yep, coffee all over the monitor screen . . . nice one : )

[@tomrobinson3623]

Two Iconic keyboard intros of all time that need to be on this list are: "Green Onions" by Booker T and the MG's; and "Louie Louie" by the Kingsmen.

[@AngelFloresOchoa]

Finally a true great mentioned

[@terrygarceau2752]

It is time to give Jon Lord some love... Lazy - Deep Purple Locomotive Breath - Jethro Tull

[@justgivemethetruth]

> Locomotive Breath - Jethro Tull Love it ... composed by John Evan himself.

[@ShengisKhan]

Terry Garceau I came here to say the exact same thing, Jon Lord was an incredible key player

[@villehytonen7279]

Lazy has just incredible intro. Def should have been on this list.

[@lethiapage4767]

Let's see without watching so far my hope is that jump by van halen will be on here. As well as the way it is by Bruce Hornsby. And the first comment I read mentioned nightswimming by REM....love that one!

[@wbiro]

@@justgivemethetruth But Rick focused on songs, not art...

[@ken_wilkens]

Les has some WICKED hair! (I’m jealous) - super talented musician. Knocked those songs out of the park!

[@rc5989]

Question for Rick Beato: Have you ever considered performing an entire ‘altered version’ of the worst blockers just for the humor? When Les played that intro it was hilarious! Also, complements go to Les for being able to play it so imperfectly 🤪

[@deementia6796]

There's a certain irony to the Queen one as Brian May produced a record by "Bad News" a horrible metal band put-on which had all the members of The Young Ones from Britain. They 'covered' the song that Les played out of key, and it is actually up on KZbin, if you need to hunt it down. Brian May played the solo on it pretty much the way Les did here.

[@woodyuk9717]

I think he was actually channelling Les Dawson there...

[@Lestronica]

That’s a GREAT idea... Top 20 Blockers - reharmonized 🤘🏽

[@DiscoFang]

Ya gotcha Blues Blockers?

[@jonstreng7850]

I agree with reply about Bohemian blocker. Why do these bands block. Are they worried people might think it is not actually them. What a joke 😝

[@johnburger7098]

Those "Subdivisions" chords are frickin' gorgeous. jvb

[@bartjordi]

Rick wright's intro to echoes from Pink Floyd. Most recognisable first note of a song ever! Great list !!

[@sleboeu]

Totally agree, that one note is all you need. Can't get better then that. But that's not really a riff.

[@edlawn5481]

"One Ping Only"

[@SuperNevile]

Yes, but I've allows loved the intro to Summer '68.

[@jibguy2003]

The keyboard swipe from Dancing Queen is the most unique.

[@dizzydgamer6929]

Three bands/songs I feel are missing from the list: Dire Straits - Walk of Life Bruce Hornsby and the Range - several options (Mandolin Rain, The Way It Is, etc) Europe - Final Countdown That said - awesome videos, great skill, and it has been fun watching!

[@Rainer_ow]

Linkin Park In the end

[@zp1191]

I was thinking bruce hornsby before I started watching

[@wojciechmakowski2304]

Ray Charles - What I'd Say Africa - Toto Chariots Of Fire - Vangelis Perfect Strangers/Child In Time - Deep Purple Song For Guy - Elton John Lavender - Marillion

[@SamanthaLily1]

Yeah

[@jacksoncann6468]

Yes I was wondering why walk of life wasn’t on here aswell

[@davejunior7813]

Surely "The Final Countdown" deserves at least an honorable mention, one of the most recognisable synth intros ever.

[@jchis9852]

Oh yeah, now I remember, that one hit wonder. Europe 🤮

[@TheSipfan2007]

J Chis they had more hits than that song

[@RK-fh4bp]

I agree. They are a relatively underrated hair band in that era and had plenty of good tunes

[@davejunior7813]

@@jchis9852 how many hits have u had?

[@borbon74]

Definitivamente falto Final countdown de Europe!

[@EnriqueLondaits]

Can't understand why Bruce Honrsby's "The way it is" was left out...bearing in mind that he kind of brought the piano back into the limelight.

[@mirandaspencer6097]

Yeah, that should have at least gotten honorable mention.

[@MrSerendipity01]

My absolute favourite intro.

[@timcollins6177]

Yes, and not just on “The Way It Is.” Hornsby’s intros to “Every Little Kiss” and “Long Valley Road” are epic, and you could toss in “Mandolin Rain”-including the bluegrass version-in with those, and I would perhaps add the opening bars of “Harbor Lights” and “Dreamland,” as well. But Hornsby’s great intros aren’t just limited to his own recordings-check out his intros for Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me” and Don Henley’s “The End of the Innocence.” He is a master.

[@theirishhammer9108]

By far the BEST song of the 80s. Best piano intro ever. Lyrics are great as well!

[@cerilsneer]

Great shout

[@steveharris7323]

Al Stewart’s Year Of The Cat. Freebird (Live version) So Into You by ARS. Take Five by The Dave Brubeck Quartet

[@michaelluciano1980]

I'm feeling Riders on The Storm more than Dream on. But to each his own ( :

[@ArbeiterInnenlieder]

You could have 10 Doors songs on the list anyway. But it's good to have Light My Fire, because this intro was really added to a complete song - and it is stunning.

[@alexsly632]

Jon Lord from Deep Purple should have been included ..he has some amazing organ work

[@alexsly632]

Better than Dream on or Riders or Cold Play lol

[@coltseavers6298]

@@alexsly632 Yea. 'Child In Time' for DP.

[@coltseavers6298]

@@ArbeiterInnenlieder I would have put 'Light My Fire' at #1

[@DogmanOffical]

Locomotive Breath by Jethro Tull deserves a place on this list I’d say

[@GuitarLessonsBobbyCrispy]

Also, 'Watcher of the Skies' by Genesis ( from the Foxtrot album, 1972 ) has a great keyboard intro!

[@MLE750]

I agree -esp version on Genesis Live 1973 - I'd love to hear this played real loud on a church organ somewhere.

[@PeterMayer]

The Lamb!

[@willa4you]

Time Table too. To be honest, anything composed by Tony Banks would worth to be in this list.

[@steelydan133]

@@PeterMayer Even better!

[@Yakkymania]

Time to add another great Genesis piano intro to this thread, and it’s Mad Man Moon.

[@prokastinatore]

You guys made my day! Thank you so much for also mentioning the great intro of the "Supertramp" -song "blody well right"( as performed by Rick Davies).

[@chrishb7074]

Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells The intro theme is instantly recognisable and develops throughout the piece. particularly worth placing in this list if you’re rating musicians who are both highly original and also play many of the instruments.

[@ritapace1756]

I believe that Locomotive Breath and Child In Time should have been included in that list. They both have amazing intros

[@davidholdren1358]

Year Of The Cat, by Al Stewart, piano by Peter Wood...it sets the tone for the whole song

[@dems5635]

omg... FACT!

[@rodweeks9607]

Yes, Al's pianist Peter Wood (not Peter White) would play those chords as a sound-test and warmup while appearing on Al Stewart's US tour in the mid-70s opening for Linda Ronstadt. Al asked Peter if he could write a song around Peter's chords, and Peter didn't like the idea. Eventually, it sounds like Peter relented, and Al had his biggest commercial hit a year or two later.

[@clovenwizard]

One of my desert island discs, great choice!

[@ImYourBoogieManThatsWhoiAm]

😺

[@ezzthetick]

Incredible that this was omitted. It was such a powerful intro that Stewart insisted on giving him a composing credit. I really thought it was going to be the number one spot.

[@rockyshore7017]

Can't argue with A Whiter Shade of Pale at #1. CAN argue with the complete omission of In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida!

[@WeaponsEducation]

Les is a great addition to the channel.

[@neuromonkey]

That fella must have himself some kinda magic mattress, because I think we may be looking at Peak Bedhead. That's, like, at least 40 days of raw, hardcore napping, and 40 long nights of tossing and turning.

[@GunSheppard]

Les is More

[@MiguelMrJazzManGarcia]

Les is amazing........ he should be here always

[@YKing1]

Crossfade need to make music again

[@zitabraun1176]

So glad Supertramp made the list with Bloody Well Right. One of the best albums by Supertramp, Crime Of The Century. Keep this great group in the conversation.

[@sdb87149]

The keyboard part in School is amazing as well

[@pwiksell8772]

But only #17?? Behind three "Beatles" tunes? Come on

[@DavidSmyth666]

Two of my favourites are No Quarter and Court of the Crimson King

[@ampddrummer]

Definitely No Quarter!

[@EWKification]

Yes, No quarter.

[@lucifuge489]

No Quarter! for sure

[@ianseymour4066]

Court of the crimson king, whole album is awesome

[@ukkovuorela4196]

Court starts with drums

[@marcmywords6970]

The way you got the actual (type) equipment used in the recording process to get that spot on sound! excellent my friends.. excellent!

[@jzxager128]

I have some more suggestions: The Way It Is - Bruce Hornsby and The Range Africa - Toto Video Killed The Radio Star - The Buggles Runaway - Bon Jovi Bennie And The Jets - Elton John Piano Man - Billy Joel A Thousand Miles - Vanessa Carlton Telephone Line - Electric Light Orchestra Mr. Blue Sky - Electric Light Orchestra You Are The Sunshine Of My Life - Stevie Wonder I Just Called To Say I Love You - Stevie Wonder Cold As Ice - Foreigner The Final Countdown - Europe Take Five - David Brubeck Linus and Lucy - Vince Guaraldi Trio The Scientist - Coldplay Fix You - Coldplay All Against The Odds - Phil Collins Spain - Chick Corea Where Everyone Knows Your Name - Gary Portnoy Hold The Line - Toto What'd I Say - Ray Charles More will come soon!! Thank You for the amazing video Rick!!

[@jakestewartmusic]

Yes, wanted to comment a few of these as well! A few more: "Livin for the City" by Stevie Wonder "Saturday in the Park" by Chicago "These Eyes" by The Guess Who "Cold as Ice" by Foreigner "Green Onions" by Booker T and the MGs "What'd I Say" by Ray Charles "Piano Man" by Billy Joel

[@johnlampe3258]

All great suggestions!

[@johnlampe3258]

How about Greg Rolie's funky opening to "Walks Like a Lady" by Journey?

[@samobrien7421]

John Lampe there ain’t enough Bruce love here. The intro of New York City Serenade is transcendent

[@srl6018]

can't agree more about The Way It Is. and see how he does the piano solos with one finger.

[@Flamemon]

Love this list! “Firth of Fifth” is brilliant, but another Genesis keyboard intro that I’ve always been partial to is “Watcher of the Skies”. The mellotron chords perfectly set the theatrical mood for the song, as well as the whole album, and I would include it on my version of this list

[@sylvainlapointe7634]

I agree and I would add The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway

[@bluelady549]

I actually thought it was going to be "Watcher of the Skies." I was surprised!

[@jim.missywyant.kennedy2334]

Locomotive Breath. Tull gets very little love in any of these lists but that track jams on so many levels, esp the piano intro. Loved the vid!

[@GJSkarratt]

Jim.Missy Wyant.Kennedy Yes. That’s what I was going to say. Like Bloody Well Right, great piano playing that is definitely an intro and indispensable to the song.

[@N00dleBandit]

I see both of you persons are of high intelligence.

[@pdxskeptic]

I freaking love how you dealt with the blockers for this video

[@louamling1688]

That was the best cover of Bohemian Rhapsody ever

[@augustingarnier4625]

I was reduced to tears! But not for the reasons you think. Hahaha!

[@paulmatos6456]

Sascarm alert 🚨🚨🚨🚨

[@tilyt]

“Child in Time”.. gotta give Mr. Lord and Deep Purple their props.

[@terrymeakinmusic]

My thought exactly. You do have to wonder sometimes.

[@snappysnoopy1482]

Americans in general seem to know very little about Deep Purple. Ask any American about epic songs from the 70's and they will name Led Zeppelin songs. Ask any European and they will name Deep Purple songs.

[@maurovinas5531]

@@snappysnoopy1482 so true

[@seanmcdermott70]

👍🎼🇨🇮🇨🇮

[@terrancemiller6527]

Lazy would be better choice

[@ismaelhernandez5936]

In my opinion one of the most reconizeble and beautiful intros is Morning has broken from Cat Stevens and the piano was played by Rick Wakeman

[@davidbiro2103]

I was about to make that comment when I read yours. Great, iconic and very memorable and one of the most reconizeable !!!!!

[@kd3091]

@@davidbiro2103 Yes to "Morning Has Broken" ~ it absolutely has the most beautiful piano intro and accompaniment!!!! How could it NOT be part of this Top 20 list? The amazing thing is that Cat Stevens turned a church hymn into a pop song, primarily due to the piano.

[@heavnnnsent]

Cat Stevens is a musical genius often with Greek instruments and has broken so many barriers....creative eclectic sounds like nothing else on Earth.

[@claudiushedrington752]

Yes, yes & yes ! Excellent Mention/ Pick ! 😎

[@GinjaNinja77]

Beat me to it: “Morning Has Broken” by Cat Stevens, check it!

[@pitpride1220]

What's great is Rick could've played all of these himself. He brought his friend in and gave him more visibility. That's cool!

[@guywhite1004]

What about “Year of the Cat” ? Great intro that just flows into the tune, as do the hand-offs from one instrument to another throughout the song.

[@svyt]

I love that instrumental sequence coming out of the chorus: strings, clean electric, dirty electric, saxophone, then into a the last verse. Amazing stuff.

[@TheMICMusicInspirationChannel]

I don't think he was counting acoustic piano as keyboard. Edit: Never mind. #16 proved me wrong.

[@ferdburful6352]

Or “ On the Border”

[@claypots47]

Yes, that Al Stewart song has a nice intro. Hey, Rick, how about a do-over? At least the Boston intro made the list, deservedly so.

[@markkennedy5479]

That song was leaking from every bar and kiosk in Paris in 1977, when I was living there... and I met the women (from Marseille) who became my wife. "She comes out of the crowd in a silk dress running like a water colour in the rain..."

[@jesus-of-cheeses]

Your countdown is ironically missing “The Final Countdown”

[@weebunny]

Heh, thank God. :-)

[@sane260]

pretty sure its played on the synth

[@oreojumperguineapigs833]

El Y yes yes yes

[@srirvine]

So was Jump and that made the list.

[@xero6396]

That's one I was waiting for along with Jump, but only Jump made the cut.

[@FSAPOJake]

Wow, Les is an amazing player. All those different styles and he pulled them off without a sweat. My personal favorite piano intro is What A Fool Believes.

[@red-baitingswine8816]

Takin' it To the Streets has a great piano intro!

[@kkrau788]

I was going to say Minute by Minute.

[@gregorysgarrison]

All 20 keyboard intros would have been Rush for me. But they are both my favorite band and the only band I really love that uses keys like that.

[@marios_ideas]

No “Riders on the storm” ?:(

[@robertsparling917]

"Riders on the Storm" starts with thunderstorm sound effects!

[@Krendall2]

The song really opens with more of a general ambiance rather than focus on the keyboards.

[@marios_ideas]

@@Krendall2 Yes.But it is the keyboards adding raindrop sounds that add up to that ambiance.

[@Krendall2]

@@marios_ideas I'm pretty sure that's just audio from a real rainstorm. But my point was more about the guitar alongside the keyboard.

[@CLS63AMGS]

Agree

[@paulbutler8308]

I would add Locamotive Breath by Jethro Tull as having an almost free-standing keyboard intro that is very catchy.

[@RyderWestwood]

This list definitely was missing any number of Styx songs, especially Lady or Come Sail Away. Dennis Deyoung is a genius keyboardist.

[@user-rw6gx7dq9g]

Styx have NEVER received any respect from the critics or anyone else in music other than the fans. Always loved them and thought they were great, very technical.

[@stevenmolinerealtorwithexp2849]

Babe? I know it's cheese, but it's still totally recognizable as soon as it comes on.

[@alexfauxfaux]

These are all A+ selections. Including both piano and synth intros, that's a big selection to narrow down! When I think of an iconic synth intro, the first song I think of is Elton John's Funeral for a Friend. Next would be Steve Miller's Space Intro.

[@StopDropandLOL]

Bruce Hornsby and the Range - The Way It Is You should bring Les back and do another video with our suggestions in it! Loved the list though and Les is very talented!

[@rogerz3417]

StopDropandLOL I agree!!! This needs to be a top 100!

[@piteusx8440]

@@rogerz3417 A Whiter Shade of Pale is the perfect song because it was written by Bach ... probably the most famous tune of all time: Bach's Air.

[@20alphabet]

Forgot about that one! I was wondering why Come Sail Away by Styxx wasn't in the mix.

[@bordershader]

Definitely The Way It Is, substitute that in Let It Be's place as it's so lame in comparison.

[@paulp.6399]

Way better than "Jump", that's for sure.

[@robo9466]

My top 5 5. Goodbye yellow brick road - Elton John 4. Piano Man - Billy Joel 3. Karma Police - Radiohead 2. Toto - Hold the Line 1. Riders on the storm - The doors

[@AidanXavier1]

Karma Police isn't on a keyboard though

[@pinball1970]

@@robo9466 I forgot Toto! Great intro

[@henriislander6532]

This channel is pure joy . I just want to suggest sweet child in time for Jon lord and Maxine for Donald Fagen.

[@robo9466]

K1_0 ehh I think #2 suits it better but it’s a badass piano intro for sure

[@mswallis9]

Bet no one here has heard of him but Al Stewart did a mighty fine keyboard intro to his song"Year of the Cat".

[@Kelvin71]

Those major7s 😍

[@colleenh7809]

Seriously! Al Stewart has never been given the recognition he deserves. He's still touring at age 74 by the way! At this point his concerts are virtual due to the coronavirus but he's still going strong. Saw him 2 years ago live, hope to see him again.

[@mswallis9]

@@colleenh7809 Seen him a couple of times. Yes, I do agree, he doesn't get the recognition he deserves. But it makes for some very nice more intimate shows!

[@vertizon3036]

You would definitely lose that bet. I still have to stop whatever I am doing, close my eyes, and lose myself in the sax solo." Which has caused a few embarrassing moments for my daughters

[@richardnanian6075]

Peter Wood wrote the keyboard part. In fact, he came up with it as a warm-up exercise. Al Stewart heard him playing it and asked if he could build a song around it. That’s why Wood (who died in 1993) had a co-writing credit on it. When my son was an infant, that song had magical powers over him. He could be crying hysterically, and if I played that song, within ten seconds he’d be enraptured. Friends who saw it happen couldn’t believe it. It worked every time (and no other song did).

[@Kuodoodle]

how fitting! since Whiter Shade intro was written by Bach (orchestral suite no.3 "Air on G String", one of the OG rock'n'roll guyz.

[@bassandtrebleclef]

Saturday in the Park from Chicago should have been an honorable mention.

[@DakotaDeyoc]

I'm very surprised that Child in Time by Deep Purple didn't make the list to be honest

[@cirenosnor5768]

Another great one...top 10 though? Hmmm

[@natwally7869]

I was thinking Lazy off Live in Japan by Deep Purple

[@MrKevindu42240]

Me too, I was thinking of it, or maybe Lazy, or Perfect Strangers. Actually, IMO any song from Deep Purple that Jon Lord plays the intro

[@thepartimemusician65]

Yes Child in time

[@sdgakatbk]

Good catch!

[@airmangirard]

Al Stewart’s Year of the Cat would bump a few in the honorable mention list, if not higher up. .

[@FrankenLab]

Absolutely agree, love that song/intro!

[@digbybaines7813]

I was waiting for that one too.

[@nickbron9435]

A great list and comments. I haven't seen anyone yet mention "Blinded by the Light" by Manfred Mann's Earth Band. Amazing how Manfred found that when interpretting Springsteen's original.

[@mamapoundcake]

I literally found this video trying to find that song after hearing it a few days ago. Thank you!!!!

[@EduardoMartinez-pz7ki]

Great List. Let me add some more honorable mentions: Runaway - Bon Jovi The way it is - Bruce Hornsby & the range Superstition - Stevie Wonder The final countdown - Europe The sequencer - Herbie Hancock

[@TheMusikpoet]

yes Superstition - Stevie Wonder

[@radamrussell]

@@TheMusikpoet Superstition would actually be on the drum intro list if anything.

[@RYXPfan]

I’m pretty sure it actually is on Rick’s video for the drum list! But the keyboard intro is legendary as well of course.

[@WuzzupWhitey]

>The sequencer - Herbie Hancock Where can one find this one?

[@riccardoangeli802]

Runaway quasi un plagio di All for Leyna Billy Joel 😜

[@chuckm4540]

Deep Purple - Hush. The late, great Jon Lord.

[@toshibasony9222]

Yes, this and also Lazy and Child in Time. These deserved to be at least in the honorable mentions section!

[@daveziems6134]

Seems like Perfect Strangers ought to be in there somewhere as well

[@giancarloubaldino2340]

Hush = greatest organ solo ever.

[@ethank2500]

Hold the line - Toto Great gig in the sky - Pink Floyd Oye como va - Santana

[@BriansBrain2025]

Just a few days ago I was trying really hard to convince my 14 year old that Pink Floyd is awesome. I was getting nowhere until I tried "Great gig in the sky" and saw the sparkle in her eye.

[@egorm8952]

Nothing beats the great gig

[@mc-grover-nz]

Echoes over GGITS for Pink Floyd.

[@trapeenot]

Also High Hopes...

[@gooberthorpos8195]

Girl Goodbye - Toto as well

[@roybox9727]

Having only come across this particular video recently and wading through the comments, I'm surprised that no one suggested Rick Wakeman's intro on Awaken. Mesmerising. 🎼👍

[@nzb6784]

Rick, I''mma let you finish, but Tocata and Fugue in D minor BVW565 has the greatest keyboard intro of all time.

[@markcole5108]

Without a doubt. Bach rules!

[@backslash68]

this list is about rock musicians, Bach is in a class of its own: music god

[@dinorocker8647]

@@backslash68 Bach had a huge influence on all the great Rock keyboardists. Jon Lord, Keith Emerson, Rick Wakeman and Don Airey. Jon Lord's successor in Deep Purple, who also did the intro to Ozzy's Mr. Crowley. Which is pretty much his own Bach inspired suite.

[@chrissox05]

A couple that come to mind: "Come Sail Away" by Styx "Your Song" by Elton John "Oh Sherrie" by Steve Perry "Soul Kitchen" by The Doors "Black Magic Woman" by Santana "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" by Iron Butterfly "Sister Christian" by Night Ranger "The Final Countdown" by Europe

[@vasilisioannou5794]

I would add Mr. Crowly

[@scottwilson1251]

When the Music's Over is much better than Soul Kitchen for The Doors.

[@stephanieparker5049]

Definitely Inagadavida and sister Christian

[@salvadorloera2170]

Yesss "Sister Christian" by Night Ranger and In-A-GaIn-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" by Iron Butterfly "The Final Countdown" by Europe

[@robertsparling917]

Mr. Crowley-Ozzy Osbourne Faithfully-Journey The Spirit Carries On-Dream Theater Punch and Judy-Marillion Cars-Gary Numan Telegraph Road-Dire Straits Tunnel of Love-Dire Straits Money for Nothing-Dire Straits Walk of Life-Dire Straits Good Golly Miss Molly-Little Richard

[@belindaberdes9647]

This was amazing. So serendipitous, I recently looked to see if there was a video for Whiter Shade of Pale from the band's (Procol Harum) original 1967 release and I watched it about 20 times in a row. I cannot get enough of that song. It is perfect. When I first watched Gary Brooker signing, he didn't look at all like I expected him to look - although I really don't know what that was. His voice is so clear. Singers today NEED to hear these voices pre auto-tune. They are/were true artists. Present day signers need to aspire to this level of vocal skill. There is another video with just Gary live from 2006 with an orchestral introduction which is rich and beautiful. I still prefer the simple perfection of the original. Both are great. You talked about lyrics in another video. This title - the lyrics, pure poetry. Lyrics are important. In this song, I personally feel them and see them: "We skipped the light fandango Turned some cartwheels across the floor I was feeling kind of seasick When the crowd called out for more The room was humming harder And the ceiling flew away" Just wow. Thank you Rick and Les for reminding us to re-listen to these exception songs. :)

[@randybarger3538]

Don't know if you've ever watched the youtube video of Procol Harum performing "Whiter Shade Of Pale" with the Danish national orchestra and chorus, but if you haven't, be prepared to be overcome with emotion and have tears running down your face. The power of that performance is beyond description. The conductors of the orchestra and chorus totally get it and greatly enhance what was already a masterpiece. Gary Brooker (the most underrated rock singer of all time) sounds even better than he did in '67. The most wonderful musical collaboration I've ever heard. Born of Bach and filtered through rock with the backing of a majestic chorus of human voices and a classical orchestra, this performance would have been at home 300 years ago and will still sound great 300 years from now. Check it out.

[@mosesgarner2404]

In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida - Iron Butterfly No Quarter - Led Zeppelin Lazy - Deep Purple Your Time is Gonna Come - Led Zeppelin

[@darkmacek3080]

Lazy is by Deep Purple. The album is Machine Head. Sorry for pedantry, but it took a second to realize you didn't mean the band that did Davidian

[@M0rph1sm55]

No

[@mosesgarner2404]

@@darkmacek3080 WOW! I Can't believe I screwed that up! Gonna change that! Thanks. Yeah, NOT Machine Head the band lol Whooops

[@russellharvey7096]

In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida!!! Yeah!!! I also second "Your Time is Gonna Come"

[@briansd2772]

Especially Iron Butterfly!!!!!!!

[@samueledmonds7358]

Toto - Hold the line (come on y'all) Ben Folds five - 1 angry dwarf and 200 solemn faces of you Billy Joel - New York State of Mind

[@revreames]

New York State of Mind immediately came to mind when I read the video title.

[@bartdevries8531]

Was expecting Hold the Line to be number 1 right up till the end. That said, the chosen 20 are great aswel.

[@seanscanlon9067]

@@revreames Or the lesser known from the same Turnstile album, Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway).

[@douglasmijangos3327]

I love how the Doors and the Beatles can have an entire list onto themselves 🎹🔥

[@YariAzQuran]

Two of my top-3 all-time favorite bands along with Nirvana.

[@douglasmijangos3327]

@@YariAzQuran for me The Beatles and Nirvana are both my favorite bands of all time .. I don’t want to choose either to say they’re the best .. so they’re both my favorite 😂

[@YariAzQuran]

@@douglasmijangos3327 You have genuinely good taste my friend 😎

[@douglasmijangos3327]

@@YariAzQuran 😂 thank you .. you as well…

[@Prof_Jeff]

I was trying to guess which Beatles' song(s) Rick would include. Could have been "Lady Madonna", "Hey, Jude", even "Get Back"; really, just about ANY piano-centric McCartney song could have made it!

[@terryallardcanada6429]

priceless intro stillgives me shivers all these years by rick and les

[@robbrie]

If Freddy Mercury weren't already dead, that version would have killed him.

[@jodiwood5311]

robbrie Oh heavens 😖

[@KirkSandall]

😆

[@Countryboyhad]

It nearly killed me

[@jacksongrantham4848]

Oh heeeelllll naw! That butchering of Bohemian Rhapsody hurt my soul!

[@MrKenny777]

Cruel...but true and funny!

[@Everythingwithonehand]

Just because I feel it might be missed by people outside my country I’m here to mention that “Firth of Fifth” is a pun on the Firth of Forth in Scotland. The River Forth runs through the capital Edinburgh and creates the beautiful Forth Valley where I live near the city of Stirling.

[@anthonyodonnell6105]

I was also thinking how the reference would not be recognized. I'm more of a Firth of Clyde person myself...

[@3John-Bishop]

Beautiful area

[@xwinglover]

It's so nice that Daryl Dixon came in for the day to make this video instead of fighting zombies.

[@raytheshredgod6987]

xwinglover yes!!!!

[@mr7354]

Adam Lambert beat him to it.

[@mgabbard]

LOL!

[@SD-kp1yk]

ahhhh so glad you included subdivisions. It was the first song that came to mind when I saw the title of this video. I recorded that song on a cassette tape while listening to 1023wbab in NY when I was a kid. I literally listened to the intro for a whole summer. wasnt a huge rush fan, but man that intro Great menories

[@TheCyborgk]

Surprised Europe's "THE FINAL COUNTDOWN" didn't get a mention. You still hear it all the times at sports-ball games. When I heard it as an 11 year old kid I definitely thought it was the greatest intro ever!!!

[@tarkus1056]

@@victorhugotoledocofre1366 They had Coldplay and Journey on the video lmao

[@mmoses7045]

Absolutely, the final countdown is the greatest keyboard intro ever

[@yourmaninlondoncollecting5749]

Exactly... The Final Countdown is one of the most recognizable intros in any song.

[@GetOutsideYourself]

Oh yeah, definitely an oversight.

[@victorhugotoledocofre1366]

@@Howitchewstofeel5gum If that was the case, he could have maimed it, just like he did on BoRhap

[@theirishhammer9108]

Great list! I would have added Bruce Hornsby's "The Way it is". One of the BEST 80s songs, and and such an incredible orchestration of a song that I've ever heard. Great lyrics as well!

[@UnimatrixOne]

👍

[@louise_rose]

Agree - also, "Protectipn" by Massive Attack has a beautiful piano/keyboards track essentially built on one single, rolling, moody piano riff that's subtly varied through the entire seven-minute song and keeps up the tension

[@matthewrenton6998]

Sheep - Pink Floyd Locomotive Breath - Jethro Tull

[@USAMehdi]

I was thinking of Animals/Sheep too. Also Rick Wright n start of wish you were here. He had his own sound. Also the distinct sound of SuperTramp's songs. Logical song. Long way home. Give a little bit etc... I like Supertramp.

[@vel0city96]

Speaking of Pink Floyd, Echoes.

[@gaab1467]

what you think of "Shine on you crazy diamond" ?

[@vel0city96]

@@gaab1467 Which part?

[@gaab1467]

@@vel0city96 well the intro ofcourse thats what this vid of Rick is about right?

[@markipelagogogo]

I would probably have promoted Subdivisions further up this list, but I'm really glad it's here.