Pianists have been some of the most prominent and popular musicians throughout history. Many of the most famous and influential composers and performers have been pianists, and the piano has been one of the most popular instruments in the world for centuries.
Of course, you are already familiar with the likes of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Liszt, and so on. However, they are not the only key players in the craft. Below are just a few examples of skilled pianists whom you may have heard of before but did not quite appreciate well enough.
Billy Joel
Billy Joel is a legendary figure in the world of popular music, having written and performed some of the most iconic piano-based hits of the last few decades. His nickname, the Piano Man, comes from one of his early singles in which he references his time spent working as a piano player in a New York bar. He has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and is the first non-classical musician to be honored with his own portrait in Steinway Hall – cementing his place as one of the most influential and important musicians of our time.
He is also an extremely talented piano player and singer who is known for his sell-out shows where he performs solo with just a piano. He is highly influenced by other great musicians, including Ray Charles and classical composers.
Billy Joel is able to take complex melodies and make them sound easy to play, as seen in his live performance of “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant.”
Jerry Lee Lewis
Jerry Lee Lewis was nicknamed “The Killer” because of his aggressive style of playing the piano. He was one of the first rock and rollers, and his influence can still be felt today. He successfully transitioned from rock and roll to country in the 1960s and 1970s.
Besides being an incredible pianist, he also loves to put on a show. He is well known for his personal life and offstage antics. He is one of the pioneers of rock and roll and has a very special place in music history. This is a clip of him performing his very first single, “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On.”
Jools Holland
Jools Holland is a pianist who is most known for his work in the rock band Squeeze in the 1970s. However, he has since become an important figure in the world of stride and boogie-woogie piano. He is a very versatile musician, and his TV show “Later with Jools Holland” demonstrates his ability to play a variety of genres. However, he is most comfortable with boogie-woogie.
No one has done more than Jools Holland to keep traditional stride and boogie genres alive and popular in the 21st century. He regularly hosts TV shows and tours with his Jools Holland Rhythm & Blues Orchestra.
Sir Elton John
Elton John is a famous British singer, songwriter, and pianist. He is widely considered to be one of the best rock pianists in the world. Elton’s music career began in the early 1970s and has since released several successful albums. Many of Elton’s songs are co-written with his longtime collaborator, Bernie Taupin.
Elton’s piano playing and Bernie’s lyrics resulted in some of the most iconic and popular songs of all time. Elton is still making music today and has collaborated with many other well-known artists. His life was recently depicted in the 2019 film Rocketman.
Conclusion
Overall, the pianists discussed in this article are some of the most prominent pianists of all time. They have all made lasting contributions to the art of piano playing, and their achievements will continue to be remembered and admired for years to come.
If you are looking for a great reference for relaxing Christian piano music, look no further than our lineup of links here at Prayer Pray. We feature a number of instrumentals that are sure to calm your senses and help you focus on your tasks. Check out our links for more amazing piano background music!
