“Rock piano is an attitude to approaching the instrument.”
So says Lawrence Gowan, solo artist and also keyboardist of progressive rock band STYX. In fact, he can trace this attitude from Beethoven in the eighteenth century all the way to his own work in 1980s and today. Milestone piano rock songs, according to Gowan, are:
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You might know this piece as the “Sonata Pathétique.” Written in 1798 when Beethoven was 27 years old, it was published in 1799 and showcases the passionate attitude Beethoven and rock musicians are known for. The first movement is moody and dramatic, the second lyrical and romantic, and the third quick and lively.
From Beethoven, ragtime pianists like Nat Ayer and Scott Joplin took the piano and gave it an American sound. Pioneered by African-American communities, ragtime would become a distinctly American form of popular music that would influence many genres and artists to come, including European classical composers. Fun fact: ragtime pianists traditionally played with their backs to the audience.
Little Richard is one of the first true piano rockers. Dubbed the Architect of Rock’n’Roll, Little Richard is remembered for his flamboyant showmanship and energetic playing style, performing while standing up at the piano. Perhaps best known for the hit tune “Tutti Frutti,” Little Richard was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in its first cohort of inductees in 1986.
The Beatles’ roots lay in skiffle, beat, and 1950s rock’n’roll. But history’s most famous band also incorporated classical music, traditional pop, folk, psychedelia, hard rock, and even traditional Indian music traditions into their sound. The piano makes an appearance in many Beatles songs. There’s the crowd favorite “Let It Be” and Rubber Soul’s “In My Life,” the piano solo of which was composed and performed by George Martin.
Some consider “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” as Elton John’s finest work, and it’s hard to disagree. The song was listed at #390 in Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time in 2010. Elton John’s longtime songwriting partner Bernie Taupin wrote the lyrics, which reference his childhood on a farm in Lincolnshire. “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” is about getting back to one’s roots, which is a common theme in Taupin’s earlier work.
Queen is a band that needs no introduction. While everyone knows “Bohemian Rhapsody” as the piano rock song, “Somebody to Love” offers something new but just as epic with its complex melody and deep layering of vocal tracks. Topping at #2 on the U.K. singles chart and #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S., the song features a dramatic range, from F2 in the harmonies to an Ab5 in Freddie Mercury’s lead vocals.
Progressive rock as a genre rose to prominence in the 70s and 80s with bands like Genesis and STYX taking the lead. It’s a style of rock music known for its classical influences, use of keyboard instruments, musical complexity, and lengthy compositions. Tony Banks wrote most of Genesis’ music and “Firth of Fifth” is a fantastic example of his intricate and classical-influenced keyboard work.
In working out his own sound, Gowan paid attention to how Genesis’ music developed from the 1970s to the 1980s. “Turn It On Again” comes from Genesis’ 1980 album Duke. The lyrics by Mike Rutherford tells the story of a man who does nothing more than watch television, who begins to believe the people he sees on TV are his friends.
Lawrence Gowan was inspired by the writings of Herman Hesse when he wrote “(You’re A) Strange Animal.” The song is considered his breakthrough success, peaking at #5 on the Canadian album charts. Lawrence Gowan’s musical background began with studying classical piano under the Toronto Royal Conservatory of Music. This classical influence will continue to have an impact on Gowan’s musical career in progressive rock.
> 36 Greatest Piano Rock Songs
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Lawrence Gowan is best known for his work with the legendary rock band STYX, but his solo material is equally impressive, with 12 Juno nominations and a certified platinum single with "A Criminal Mind." In 2003 he received the prestigious “Classic Status” award for the song “Moonlight Desires.” This award is presented when a song gets played over 100,000 times on Canadian radio. With this, Gowan joins a small group of singer-songwriters from Canada such as Neil Young, Bryan Adams, and Joni Mitchell to be so honored.
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