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Great keyboard solos in pop tunes


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So I just worked up Rhythm of the Night (DeBarge, written by Diane Warren). Got called for one of the corporate bands I play in. Never learned it back in the day until now. I dig the synth "flute" solo, so I learned the thing verbatim. Was it Jeff Lorber on the recording?

 

That got me listening to DeBarge's Who's Holding Donna Now, with another great synth solo - was that one David Foster?

 

And that got me thinking about Greg Phillinganes' solo on 100 Ways (always loved it), and Lou Pardini's solo on Smokey Robinson's Just To See Her.

 

Any other pop tunes you guys remember with a well-crafted keyboard solo?

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How long before Rosanna and Africa show up?

 

Those, plus "Pamela" and "99."

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Bruce Hornsby on "The Way It Is".

 

Jules Holland on Fine Young Cannibals' "Good Thing".

 

Paul Shaffer on Scandal's "Goodbye to You".

 

Rod Argent on "Hold Your Head Up", "Time of the Season", and "She's Not There".

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A couple of my favorites:

Blake Levinsohns synth break in Franke and the Knockouts Sweetheart

The keyboard solo in Totos Waiting for Your Love

 

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Bob Mayo on "Do You Feel Like We Do"

Edit: Ah yes, I guess this would be a rock solo too!

100% agreement - DYFLWD one of the greatest, if not THE greatest keyboard solo in all recorded history!

 

And since we can't resist mixing rock and pop, got to throw in some Doors - Light my Fire

Some music I've recorded and played over the years with a few different bands

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Been listening to some old Sting recently, first 4 solo albums. Of course you have Kenny Kirkland killing it all over the first one.

Ten Summoner's Tales - '93 has amazing work by David Sancious with a truly wonderful Hammond solo on track 7, St. Augustine in Hell, in 7/8 time. That song isn't necessarily pop, but I'd certainly classify the album as.

 

In general, great keyboard all over Sting's catalog, including the Police.

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So I just worked up Rhythm of the Night (DeBarge, written by Diane Warren). Got called for one of the corporate bands I play in. Never learned it back in the day until now. I dig the synth "flute" solo, so I learned the thing verbatim. Was it Jeff Lorber on the recording?

 

That got me listening to DeBarge's Who's Holding Donna Now, with another great synth solo - was that one David Foster?

 

And that got me thinking about Greg Phillinganes' solo on 100 Ways (always loved it), and Lou Pardini's solo on Smokey Robinson's Just To See Her.

 

Any other pop tunes you guys remember with a well-crafted keyboard solo?

Tim, I went off on a wild rail there without even considering the genre you're referencing here! Maybe something more in line would be pretty much any Steely Dan keys solos, Black Cow is great

Some music I've recorded and played over the years with a few different bands

Tommy Rude Soundcloud

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Billy Joel's opening to "Angry Young Man".

 

Jerry Harrison's solo at 4:41 in the live version of "Life During Wartime" from the Stop Making Sense movie (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6tMRXTlMV4).

 

Bernie Worrell's playing on the same song is the equivalent of a rhythm guitarist extraordinaire throughout the song, and he plays a great solo too.

 

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