Over the past fifty years some of the top songs have been sung and performed by piano men. There has always been something special about a singer who tickled the ivories, and there have been great piano hits across many genres.
Thanks to the recent movie about his life, the first person who may spring to mind is Ray Charles. Jamie Foxx re-created his life in the movie and won an Oscar for his performance, but some of that certainly had to do with the music that Ray Charles gave us. 1954's I Got A Woman was the start of a career that lasted until his recent death at the age of 73. Though of all the songs he performed it was a cover version of a Hoagy Carmichael song that many think of when they think of him. Georgia On My Mind, which he released in 1960, and won a Grammy for, was also named the State of Georgia's official song in the late Seventies.
Also in the Fifties and one of the men responsible for introducing Rock 'n Roll to the world was Jerry Lee Lewis. His wild behavior, on and off stage, brought him a lot of attention. But for many his song Great Balls Of Fire remains a Rock 'n Roll and piano classic. His performances were unique and crazy, and he would often play the piano with his feet, stomping on the keys and revving up crowds.
Not being able to see never held back the talents of Stevie Wonder. Obviously compared to Ray Charles, for both being African-American and blind, Steve Wonder made a hit debut album when he was just twelve years old. Throughout his childhood he studied and played a number of musical instruments but the piano and harmonica were always at the forefront. Over the past five decades he has had almost fifty hit songs, including classics like My Cherie Amour, For Once In My Life, Part Time Lover, Higher Ground and I Just Called To Say I Love You to name a few.
Elton John is a household name across the world today for his incredibly written songs. As famous for his flamboyant spectacles, and of course for performing his hit song Candle In the Wind at Princess Diana's funeral, he has had hit songs for more than four decades, including Crocodile Rock, Don't Go Breaking My Heart, and Rocket Man.
Another great piano man is Billy Joel, who actually had his first top forty hit with a song called just that, The Piano Man. This started a career that would give the world great piano songs including It's Still Rock And Roll To Me, The Entertainer and the song about his ex-wife Christie Brinkley, Uptown Girl.
Today artists like Alicia Keys in the USA, and Jamie Cullum in the UK, continue the trend of the singing pianist, churning out piano hits across the globe. Alicia Keys' Falling was one of the biggest hits of 2001 and she won five Grammy awards the following year.
Thanks to the recent movie about his life, the first person who may spring to mind is Ray Charles. Jamie Foxx re-created his life in the movie and won an Oscar for his performance, but some of that certainly had to do with the music that Ray Charles gave us. 1954's I Got A Woman was the start of a career that lasted until his recent death at the age of 73. Though of all the songs he performed it was a cover version of a Hoagy Carmichael song that many think of when they think of him. Georgia On My Mind, which he released in 1960, and won a Grammy for, was also named the State of Georgia's official song in the late Seventies.
Also in the Fifties and one of the men responsible for introducing Rock 'n Roll to the world was Jerry Lee Lewis. His wild behavior, on and off stage, brought him a lot of attention. But for many his song Great Balls Of Fire remains a Rock 'n Roll and piano classic. His performances were unique and crazy, and he would often play the piano with his feet, stomping on the keys and revving up crowds.
Not being able to see never held back the talents of Stevie Wonder. Obviously compared to Ray Charles, for both being African-American and blind, Steve Wonder made a hit debut album when he was just twelve years old. Throughout his childhood he studied and played a number of musical instruments but the piano and harmonica were always at the forefront. Over the past five decades he has had almost fifty hit songs, including classics like My Cherie Amour, For Once In My Life, Part Time Lover, Higher Ground and I Just Called To Say I Love You to name a few.
Elton John is a household name across the world today for his incredibly written songs. As famous for his flamboyant spectacles, and of course for performing his hit song Candle In the Wind at Princess Diana's funeral, he has had hit songs for more than four decades, including Crocodile Rock, Don't Go Breaking My Heart, and Rocket Man.
Another great piano man is Billy Joel, who actually had his first top forty hit with a song called just that, The Piano Man. This started a career that would give the world great piano songs including It's Still Rock And Roll To Me, The Entertainer and the song about his ex-wife Christie Brinkley, Uptown Girl.
Today artists like Alicia Keys in the USA, and Jamie Cullum in the UK, continue the trend of the singing pianist, churning out piano hits across the globe. Alicia Keys' Falling was one of the biggest hits of 2001 and she won five Grammy awards the following year.
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