Tony Bank's music enters my soul and tells what a sad world it would be without music. Thanks to Tony and Genesis for giving the world such a great music.
I'd say Emerson is more technically accomplished, but Banks is more applealing as songwriter and composer . Emerson never wrote anything like First On Fifth, Cinema Show or Supper's Ready. But I like them both, each one is great in his own unique style
IMHO, Banks is/was/and always will be much more melodic, Emerson better technically but far too interested in showing how good he is (which is f@cking good).
Two musicians who have made the world just a little bit better to live in. My thanks go out to both of them.
Banks is a better player he, unlike Emerson, has had the abilty to show his talents not only in prog rock, rock and pop but also in classical with his album a suite for orchestra.
Oh and @andrewmurray1527 Banks' compositions are way more refined than Emerson's as Emerson spends too much time being over complex and it therefore takes away from the music we hear.
You have a point about Emerson over-playing and losing the desired emotional effect with technical flash, sir, but you are incorrect about Emerson not demonstrating his abilities with classical stylings. I highly recommend that you check out 1977's Keith Emerson Piano Concerto #1 with the London Symphony Orchestra, on the "Works Volume I" album.
Rick Wakemen and Keith Emerson both trained at the Royal Academy of Music. Tony Banks is self taught. My vote goes to Banks. I just like his sound better. Emerson is Banks on crack.
Whereas TB just isn´t able to improvise at all,and obviously doesn´t have this fanatic desire to practice and be an excellent keyboardist. But he has a great talent in composing wonderful and very balanced songs. His taste for the right sounds was great and in my opinion his real strength is the arrangement work.
I love to hear them both and wish there would be more of them in today´s music, which mostly is this boring guitar rock.
From a certain level on the vs thing in musc is just stupid. But:
Emo had the much better piano technique.
Emo wrote very complex, lets say avantgarde music.
Emo was a very good improvisor AND
Emo was the pioneer in the integration of synthesizers and modern equipment into rock music. So without him the whole story would have gone in a different direction.
Both are tremendous talents!!! I see Keith as more versatile, fuzing jazz, classical and rock with a unique style, where Tony is more melodic. Keith was the face of the Nice and ELP, where Tony was less of a front man, leaving that role to Peter Gabriel... Keith Emerson is my favorite ever, but I certainly respect Tony Banks as a phenomenal musician.
Tony Banks is great but I don't think he's in the same league as Keith Emerson.I've even read things were Tony Banks himself has said things like he and Mike are songwriters first and musicians second. I think Rick Wakeman would be a more suitable challenger to Keith.Tony has also said that it was interesting playing with people like Chester Thompson and Darryl Steurmer because they were true musicians.That being said I'm sure that Tony is WAY better songwriter than Keith.
You cannot compare Tony Banks to Keith Emerson. The statistical density of Keith Emerson is beyond most any keyboard player pianist in Rock n Roll. besides maybe Rick Wakeman and Jordan Rudess
Chop for chop, Mr. Emerson arrives at the table with simply more goods. As for Mr. Banks, there is simply no denying that his compositional skills nearly single-handedly pushed and entire genre to the forefront of modern music. Prog , as a movement, would have amounted to sifgnificantly less in the absence of either of these two gifted players.
Just expressing my opinion, so don't be offended when I state that comparing Keith Emerson to Tony Banks is like comparing the Mona Lisa painting to something a five year old child did with finger paints. KEITH RULES !!!!!!
@Emerson278 you my friend are a deaf person then.... it's obvious you havent listened to prog genesis.... if you had listened to their music, you wouldnt be saying this. simple.
@juandhaltrich And you must be blind because I stated that I was expressing MY OPINION, which I, like everyone else, am entitled too. I stand by my statement. SIMPLE
@Emerson278 of course it's your opinion, and you're entitled to it, but that doesnt change My opinion, that you must be either deaf (if you have listened to genesis already) or just ignorant (if you haven't). im a big fan of emerson, but to compare the two of them is just ridiculous. it's like comparing mercedes-benz to bmw. you may have a preference for one of the two, probably, but not the kind of thing you said. that can never happen. what you said is from an amateur that doesnt know prog
@juandhaltrich So are you stating that you are some big expert on prog ? Don't get upset when someone expresses their opinion. End of discussion, at least from this end. ( This is where you send another reply so you can have the last word. )
@Emerson278 well, it seems that, compared to you, I am !!! now, have you listened to genesis and tony banks' work in the band? the kind of comparison you did is the one that a 12-year-old would do when comparing football teams. well.......amateur!
@RectumPilum zonda vs bugatti? high profile but poorly developed taste my friend.... i'll stick with my mercedes-benz vs bmw example. banks and emerson, as well as MB and BMW, can't be compared only by saying 'who's the best?'
@juandhaltrich no because BMV and Merc in my taste is just big expensive (though luxurious) douchebag cars... I also find them incredibly dull. Zonda and Koenigsegg (I changed my mind about Bugatti) on the other hand are just plain mad, and that's all it's about. BMW and Merc seem too senisible in a way, and too ordinary =)
and 'egotistical' mind setting. Perhaps you should also consider the same rantings, banterings, bashings and battlings of others who've done likewise with comparing guitarists such as Towshend to Van Halen, drummers such as Nick Mason to Dave Weckyl, and bassists such as Roger Waters to Victor Wooten. Let's not make our music a 'My dog's bigger than your dog!' arena of childish play.
Easily Emerson all the way - no WAY is Banks a better composer. I love Tony Banks to death...these two guys are the tops for me, but Banks never wrote a full Piano Concerto, fugue (not to mention Pirates), or had near the chops Emerson had. Also, Emerson did WORLDS more for Rock keyboardists in general (first ever synthesizer solo in rock, first to tour with a Moog) though a lot of people did hate ELP.
But Tony was part of way catchier songs that're still classics.
@King31395 Pirates is my favorite ELP song but you gotta admit that Tony Banks is a far superior songwriter to Emerson. Mad Man Moon or One For The Vine are just two examples of Tony Banks' songwriting. Also: Firth of Fifth, Undertow, Duchess, An Island In the Darkness. Tony Banks is one of rock's greatest composers. Most underrated rock musician who's ever lived.
Tony's songs have definitely proven to be far more memorable and commericially successful radio-wise (which is never a bad thing) than Keith's work, but Keith's playing totally dwarfs Tony's. Keith's playing carried the whole group - Firth of Fifth is nothing campared to Emerson's "Lachesis", full Piano Concerto #1, Tarkus, Karn Evil 9...any keyboardist that's attempted playing either players work sees the enormous difference in the two (me being one of those players)
As a Classically-trained pianist, but who loves the best in every genre, I think Emerson is the better player - and a more 'out-there' (but still euphonic) composer. Having said that, I love Tony Banks' playing & all Peter Gabriel-era Genesis. ELP were the Kings from 1970-72 but I think Genesis overtook them in 1973-74. ELP beats Trespass & Tarkus beats Nursery Chryme (just), Trilogy beats Foxtrot (just) but Selling England beats Brain Salad & The Lamb beats Works. But dont 4get Thijs van Leer
Loved what Keith did for the Moog decades ago, hate him for not keeping up with it. Those swooshes on Lucky Man are what the Moog was made for. Too much already maybe. Banks turned it into an orchestral substitute. Love them equally..it's a tie according to me although Wakeman blows them both away...so Rick is 1st...Keith and Tony are a close 3rd together
I laughed at this title so hard, banks maybe fit to help roadies lug emersons gear maybe, a gifted, no brilliant , influential musician Emerson, versus a dull witted ham fisted hack banks uh lets see..... lol
@jsilence418 Though Tony's 'equipment' count paled in comparison to 'Emerson's', the fact of the matter is is that they 'both' contributed phenominally to produce undoubtedly the world's greatest musical gifts and offerings so to speak. Making endless comparisons as to who's 'tops', 'better', 'faster', 'more 'musical' 'creavtive', 'ingenious' is not what any of them had in mind. To make such comments as you just did perhaps displays and reflects a rather 'insecure' and 'inferior' mental,
I LOVE the music of both, but come on, as musicians, Tony is a god, but Keith Emerson IS God. Could Keith play all of Tony's pieces? Of course, no question. Could Tony play like Keith? I really think not. That said, as composers, Tony has probably written more brilliant and beautiful songs than Keith. I hate to think of a world without both of them.
Hey listen, i got both albums (Original) and i respect and love both their styles and refuse to choose a favourite, as their songs for me, carry a lot of treasured memories.
I saw Keith fall backwards on purpose taking his organ with him. He wanted to play the rest of the song lying on his back on the floor with this huge heavy instrument on top of him. Too bad he pulled the plug out by mistake ;-p Tony never woulda done that, lol.
In terms of popular music you may be right. But Keith is the far better avantgarde composer, he is the far better imrovisator and up to his hand injuries he had the far better keyboard technique. Besides that he an play jazz, classical music and rock, but he never was a real pop musician. And I guess as a prof. pianist I can dare to assess that.
@andrewmurray1527 Emerson is technically more gifted. But I believe Banks is a far more tasteful musician. Emerson has work that's so far over the top it's almost comedy. And Emerson has turned in his share of cheesy keyboard solos. Tony Banks is the most tasteful keyboardest in rock. He doesn't need to show off. As far as song writng, Emerson isn't even close. Plus, as great as ELP were, Genesis were not only better but far more consitant. Love Beach anyone?
@112sje It's called showmanship dumbass, and if your simply going by skill than emerson wins. there is no doubting that banks is one of the greatest keyboardists of all time, but keith just has the more complex, techincally demaning and overall impressive playing. but that doesnt make banks bad, he's still great to.
On technical ability Keith Emerson obviously has the upper hand as he has the jazz grounding. Keith reminds me a bit of Rick Wakeman. He has this style of playing that does become too familiar over time - the discordant arpeggios etc. As a keyboard player's battle, Emerson wins, as a battle of keyboard composers Banks owns all of them.
Keith Emerson is by far the greater keyboard player plus he has genuine stage presence and a sense of humour. Tony Banks, on the other hand, has about as much charisma as a box of fish fingers.
All these guys are great, but personally I like Banks the best. I love Wakeman & Emerson to death, but there is something about Banks' playing that hits me the deepest. I also appreciate the fact that he was not a showman. He let the music do the talking. No glitter capes, and no trashing the organ. Listen to 'The Lamia' or 'Mad Man Moon' (not his later 80's crap). His chord sequences on those songs are breathtaking, and yet he can go the other way and go heavy, as in the song 'Back in N.Y.C'.
Why bother with all this stupid comparison stuff. Tony was Genesis, the chord structures and melodies were all about Tony, the others happened to fit in and that takes nothing away from how Phil happened to fit in either. Like all good bands it takes talent and luck, live with it. Keith Emerson did what he did brilliantly not because he was an idiot but out of young musical telent, same for Wakeman.......
What synth is Tony playing? Sounds like a Moog, but doesn't look like a Minimoog from the clip. Maybe he's playing a modular with a controller keyboard?
Tony Banks is for me the best keyboard player over the world! He has a soul and georgious sound. Keith Emerson is a good player but without a piece of soul. I can play so fast too but its not all...
at the end of the day its all about the music. i could listen to banks stuff of the early genesis for the rest of my life. simply cos the music is better and it takes me places i could never go to in the real world.
Music isn't a sport, and they are both more than competent at their instruments. All I can say is that I'd rather listen to Tony Banks' compositions and solos any day of the week. And that goes for Wakeman, too. But that is merely my opinion.
Keith Emerson probably wins but tony is musch more versatile
whilst Keith can do huge solo's and the like Tony can be huge when he wants to (Firth of Fifth, Riding the Scree so on and so forth) but he can also be small (a lot of the phill collins era of genesis) so technically Keith wins, but on versatility it's tony all the way
Anybody who plays keyboards or knows anything about them knows that there is Keith Emerson and then there is everybody else. Just like there is the Beartles and then there is everybody else. Emerson is the standard by which everyone else is measured. I like Banks a lot but he didnt revolutionize the keyboard rock genre like Emerson did. Emerson's compostional skills and outstanding technical ability puts him light years beyond any of his so called "competiton".
Keith Emerson sets the standard but Rick Wakeman is also in the same class/ Banks is a great keyboard player but he never came close to Emerson or Wakeman . Banks was all classical structure while emerson and Wakeman could jam and rock!!
sorry folks, Keith Emerson hands down! In fact, sorry Genesis fans but if you wanna make it a competition , ELP would have taken them to the cleaners in their heyday. (70-74)
the better two people get at instrument, the more their styles start to differ, and when get to this level of skill nobody could do an accurate comparison, in other words, IT'S A TIE!!!!!
IN ALL DUE RESPECT TO TONY. HE CANNOT EVEN HOLD A CANDLE TO KEITH EMERSON ON ANY LEVEL. NOT SAYING HE IS NOT ALSO GREAT. BUT KEITH EMERSON IS IN A DIFFERENT LEAGUE THEN MOST. LET'S SEE T B PLAY CREOLE DANCE OR PIANO CONCERTO #1 NOT HAPPENING
IN ALL DUE RESPECT TO TONY. HE CANNOT EVEN HOLD A CANDLE TO KEITH EMERSON ON ANY LEVEL. NOT SAYING HE IS NOT ALSO GREAT. BUT KEITH EMESRON IS IN A DIFFERENT LEAGUE THEN MOST.
I know Keith might be a faster player with better charisma on stage, but Tony is a master of chords that no one can beat. He understands complex chords and put a solo on top of it. I could listen to the older Genesis songs over and over for that reason. Can't say the same for ELP
@dholmes40 - Although it pains me to talk about artists like they are sports figures, I will say this. I am a professional keyboardist playing over 35 years now. I have not heard anything that Tony Banks has played that I can not play. I can not say the same for Keith Emerson.
@dholmes40 - Although it pains me to talk about artists like they are sports figures, I will say this. I am a professional keyboardist playing over 35 years now. I have not heard anything that Tony Banks has played that I can not play. I can not say the same for Keith Emerson. Both players have extensive knowledge in Classical and jazz and there is plenty of complexity in the chord voicing of either artist. What you can not put a value on however, is what you personally like.
They both have different styles. Keith is more suited for ELP and Tony is suited for Genesis!!! How about if they both switch bands. Tony with BLP (Banks Lake and Palmer) and Keith with Genesis!!!
On pure talent I guess Keith wins but as far as hit songs Tony wins hands down. I tend to like his style better than Keiths too, hes more cosmic and not as agressive. Both brilliant, but Tony is sooooo under rated!
@kosykh1 In my opinion they're both 2 excellent pianist...i prefer banks, but it's only my personal opinion. But Banks is a better person... He didn't crash any keyboard on a live show... and in music humility is all.
@greenmintNRG perpetual children still at it I see,living out your elementary school fantasy of who plays what,how do you even compare these two keyboardist??,is everything supposed to be the same for you?tell me sanely and truthfully-how do you possibly compare these to keyboardist??
@hannibal316iij In his prime yes, but if that title was given out today it would be Jordan Rudess. Unfortunately Keith has had his share of problems with nerve-graft surgeries.
For the last 30 years I've admired Keith's and Tony's works, both ere masters of the keyboard playing, geniuses in rock music, living legends, but, Keith wins definetly, t's not only the complexity and originality of their compositions but their performance on stage, the charisma and the personality, the character itself, and all that contributes a lot in winning this battle, and also the fact that Keth remains faithful to his beliefs and his way own of playing satisfying his fans not Record C.
@trevizons I have to admit he has way more stage presence and his pieces are alot more complex but you should probably note while i do believe tony is a better player this video was a joke between me and a friend of mine that with an immense amount of boredom eventually became a video.
why does it have to be a contest of whose best. If they were into competitions, they wouldn't be musicians. they would be some loser ass jock soccer player or something. why do you people insist on doing this ???? vs. ???? do you think they write a piece trying to be THE BEST. " I hope this new piece is better than the new Keith Emerson record" no dumb ass!
Tony Bank's music enters my soul and tells what a sad world it would be without music. Thanks to Tony and Genesis for giving the world such a great music.
elic307 1 day ago
TONY BANKS EL MEJOR!!!!!!!!!!!
giannichiesa 1 week ago
I'd say Emerson is more technically accomplished, but Banks is more applealing as songwriter and composer . Emerson never wrote anything like First On Fifth, Cinema Show or Supper's Ready. But I like them both, each one is great in his own unique style
awaken77 1 week ago
Emerson was by far the more able player. Banks is by far the better composer/songwriter. Both of these guys have made the world a better place :)
cosmicjazzer 1 week ago
They're both exceptionally talented musicians and composers. End of comment.
MrMjp58 1 week ago
this guys are awesome, but Rick Wakeman form Yes ande Jordan Rudess from dream theater kill them 5 times before they die!!
David71294GR 1 week ago
There's no comparison. I love Genesis but Emerson is just incredible!
jbtt70 2 weeks ago
i'm going with banks.
thevoid99 2 weeks ago
IMHO, Banks is/was/and always will be much more melodic, Emerson better technically but far too interested in showing how good he is (which is f@cking good).
Two musicians who have made the world just a little bit better to live in. My thanks go out to both of them.
808Sumner 3 weeks ago
Better at playing fiddly diddly stuff? Emerson probably. Most artistic? BANKS by a long shot!
sitemountain 3 weeks ago 3
BANKS WINS!!!!
loudness96 1 month ago
Banks is a better player he, unlike Emerson, has had the abilty to show his talents not only in prog rock, rock and pop but also in classical with his album a suite for orchestra.
Oh and @andrewmurray1527 Banks' compositions are way more refined than Emerson's as Emerson spends too much time being over complex and it therefore takes away from the music we hear.
Arfurfoulkessake 1 month ago
@Arfurfoulkessake
You have a point about Emerson over-playing and losing the desired emotional effect with technical flash, sir, but you are incorrect about Emerson not demonstrating his abilities with classical stylings. I highly recommend that you check out 1977's Keith Emerson Piano Concerto #1 with the London Symphony Orchestra, on the "Works Volume I" album.
audiobrian1 2 weeks ago
Rick Wakemen and Keith Emerson both trained at the Royal Academy of Music. Tony Banks is self taught. My vote goes to Banks. I just like his sound better. Emerson is Banks on crack.
mikelmart 1 month ago
Whereas TB just isn´t able to improvise at all,and obviously doesn´t have this fanatic desire to practice and be an excellent keyboardist. But he has a great talent in composing wonderful and very balanced songs. His taste for the right sounds was great and in my opinion his real strength is the arrangement work.
I love to hear them both and wish there would be more of them in today´s music, which mostly is this boring guitar rock.
anonymusum 1 month ago
From a certain level on the vs thing in musc is just stupid. But:
Emo had the much better piano technique.
Emo wrote very complex, lets say avantgarde music.
Emo was a very good improvisor AND
Emo was the pioneer in the integration of synthesizers and modern equipment into rock music. So without him the whole story would have gone in a different direction.
anonymusum 1 month ago
Tony wouldn't ever allow himself to be photographed on a beach with his shirt open.
zazozung 1 month ago
Genesis>ELP.
zazozung 1 month ago
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Tony Banks is far more musical:
liverawkstar 2 months ago
Tony is king, But in the "immortal" words of Harry Hill, there's really only one way to solve this once and for all......FIGHT!!!!!
moosethemoosinator 2 months ago
Both are tremendous talents!!! I see Keith as more versatile, fuzing jazz, classical and rock with a unique style, where Tony is more melodic. Keith was the face of the Nice and ELP, where Tony was less of a front man, leaving that role to Peter Gabriel... Keith Emerson is my favorite ever, but I certainly respect Tony Banks as a phenomenal musician.
dbojarczuk 2 months ago
Tony Banks is great but I don't think he's in the same league as Keith Emerson.I've even read things were Tony Banks himself has said things like he and Mike are songwriters first and musicians second. I think Rick Wakeman would be a more suitable challenger to Keith.Tony has also said that it was interesting playing with people like Chester Thompson and Darryl Steurmer because they were true musicians.That being said I'm sure that Tony is WAY better songwriter than Keith.
TRANZEURO 2 months ago 2
Keith Emerson is the greatest keyboard artist alive today. I'll bet Tony Banks would agree but I could be wrong.
alteal 2 months ago
hahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahhaha!! ahh i really needed to see some funny shit like this!! thumbs up man
lamecasuelas2 3 months ago
Both keyboardists are excellent.
SuperCartiel 3 months ago
Keith definatly dressed better
DrButcherMD 3 months ago
TONY WINS!!! :D
NOT FOR TECHINIQUE , FOR HIS ARMONIUS AND GENIUS MUSIC!
Sovietico88 3 months ago
What's the elp live you took the pieces from?
LawrenceGershwin 3 months ago
You cannot compare Tony Banks to Keith Emerson. The statistical density of Keith Emerson is beyond most any keyboard player pianist in Rock n Roll. besides maybe Rick Wakeman and Jordan Rudess
Fairlynormalme 3 months ago 2
These are 2 stellar players. Add John Lord and Rick Wakeman to the list.
No reason to compare, they were all great in their respective bands.
cranie4 3 months ago
maestros de la progresión musical
MINGAMETALO 3 months ago
Chop for chop, Mr. Emerson arrives at the table with simply more goods. As for Mr. Banks, there is simply no denying that his compositional skills nearly single-handedly pushed and entire genre to the forefront of modern music. Prog , as a movement, would have amounted to sifgnificantly less in the absence of either of these two gifted players.
sustayne 3 months ago
Comment removed
lifesonfan 3 months ago
It's like comparing great wines to each other - the words "better" and "worse" are irrelevant.
AORONS 3 months ago 11
Just expressing my opinion, so don't be offended when I state that comparing Keith Emerson to Tony Banks is like comparing the Mona Lisa painting to something a five year old child did with finger paints. KEITH RULES !!!!!!
Emerson278 3 months ago 2
@Emerson278 you my friend are a deaf person then.... it's obvious you havent listened to prog genesis.... if you had listened to their music, you wouldnt be saying this. simple.
juandhaltrich 3 months ago
@juandhaltrich And you must be blind because I stated that I was expressing MY OPINION, which I, like everyone else, am entitled too. I stand by my statement. SIMPLE
Emerson278 3 months ago
@Emerson278 of course it's your opinion, and you're entitled to it, but that doesnt change My opinion, that you must be either deaf (if you have listened to genesis already) or just ignorant (if you haven't). im a big fan of emerson, but to compare the two of them is just ridiculous. it's like comparing mercedes-benz to bmw. you may have a preference for one of the two, probably, but not the kind of thing you said. that can never happen. what you said is from an amateur that doesnt know prog
juandhaltrich 3 months ago
@juandhaltrich So are you stating that you are some big expert on prog ? Don't get upset when someone expresses their opinion. End of discussion, at least from this end. ( This is where you send another reply so you can have the last word. )
Emerson278 3 months ago
@Emerson278 well, it seems that, compared to you, I am !!! now, have you listened to genesis and tony banks' work in the band? the kind of comparison you did is the one that a 12-year-old would do when comparing football teams. well.......amateur!
juandhaltrich 3 months ago
@juandhaltrich I don't like setting Merc and BMV up against Banks and Emerson... It's more like Zonda vs Bugatti =P
RectumPilum 3 months ago
@RectumPilum zonda vs bugatti? high profile but poorly developed taste my friend.... i'll stick with my mercedes-benz vs bmw example. banks and emerson, as well as MB and BMW, can't be compared only by saying 'who's the best?'
juandhaltrich 3 months ago
@juandhaltrich no because BMV and Merc in my taste is just big expensive (though luxurious) douchebag cars... I also find them incredibly dull. Zonda and Koenigsegg (I changed my mind about Bugatti) on the other hand are just plain mad, and that's all it's about. BMW and Merc seem too senisible in a way, and too ordinary =)
RectumPilum 3 months ago
@Emerson278 "When will they ever learn!" :-(
daonfpe 3 months ago
"Has life again destroyed life, Do they play elsewhere, do they know
more than their childhood games?" -Tony Banks
daonfpe 3 months ago
and 'egotistical' mind setting. Perhaps you should also consider the same rantings, banterings, bashings and battlings of others who've done likewise with comparing guitarists such as Towshend to Van Halen, drummers such as Nick Mason to Dave Weckyl, and bassists such as Roger Waters to Victor Wooten. Let's not make our music a 'My dog's bigger than your dog!' arena of childish play.
daonfpe 3 months ago
Easily Emerson all the way - no WAY is Banks a better composer. I love Tony Banks to death...these two guys are the tops for me, but Banks never wrote a full Piano Concerto, fugue (not to mention Pirates), or had near the chops Emerson had. Also, Emerson did WORLDS more for Rock keyboardists in general (first ever synthesizer solo in rock, first to tour with a Moog) though a lot of people did hate ELP.
But Tony was part of way catchier songs that're still classics.
King31395 3 months ago
@King31395 Pirates is my favorite ELP song but you gotta admit that Tony Banks is a far superior songwriter to Emerson. Mad Man Moon or One For The Vine are just two examples of Tony Banks' songwriting. Also: Firth of Fifth, Undertow, Duchess, An Island In the Darkness. Tony Banks is one of rock's greatest composers. Most underrated rock musician who's ever lived.
zazozung 1 month ago
@zazozung
Tony's songs have definitely proven to be far more memorable and commericially successful radio-wise (which is never a bad thing) than Keith's work, but Keith's playing totally dwarfs Tony's. Keith's playing carried the whole group - Firth of Fifth is nothing campared to Emerson's "Lachesis", full Piano Concerto #1, Tarkus, Karn Evil 9...any keyboardist that's attempted playing either players work sees the enormous difference in the two (me being one of those players)
King31395 1 month ago
@zazozung
But that still doesn't change the fact that I still find myself still reaching for Genesis songs to listen to and marvel at.
King31395 1 month ago
@King31395 Check out Tony Banks' "Seven, a suite for orchestra".
mikelmart 1 month ago
Tony Banks
ThroughRock 3 months ago
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what battle? there both great in their own right!
sandwich451 3 months ago
As a Classically-trained pianist, but who loves the best in every genre, I think Emerson is the better player - and a more 'out-there' (but still euphonic) composer. Having said that, I love Tony Banks' playing & all Peter Gabriel-era Genesis. ELP were the Kings from 1970-72 but I think Genesis overtook them in 1973-74. ELP beats Trespass & Tarkus beats Nursery Chryme (just), Trilogy beats Foxtrot (just) but Selling England beats Brain Salad & The Lamb beats Works. But dont 4get Thijs van Leer
carlosantuckwell 3 months ago
Loved what Keith did for the Moog decades ago, hate him for not keeping up with it. Those swooshes on Lucky Man are what the Moog was made for. Too much already maybe. Banks turned it into an orchestral substitute. Love them equally..it's a tie according to me although Wakeman blows them both away...so Rick is 1st...Keith and Tony are a close 3rd together
Rikk303 4 months ago
TONY is my favorite!
potpourri360 4 months ago
TONY!!!
MikeyRB77 4 months ago
I laughed at this title so hard, banks maybe fit to help roadies lug emersons gear maybe, a gifted, no brilliant , influential musician Emerson, versus a dull witted ham fisted hack banks uh lets see..... lol
jsilence418 4 months ago
@jsilence418 Though Tony's 'equipment' count paled in comparison to 'Emerson's', the fact of the matter is is that they 'both' contributed phenominally to produce undoubtedly the world's greatest musical gifts and offerings so to speak. Making endless comparisons as to who's 'tops', 'better', 'faster', 'more 'musical' 'creavtive', 'ingenious' is not what any of them had in mind. To make such comments as you just did perhaps displays and reflects a rather 'insecure' and 'inferior' mental,
daonfpe 3 months ago
Their both amazing. Emerson is a better performer. Banks a better composer.
codematrix 4 months ago
My vote goes for the hippy with the flashy clothes... Oh wait! : /
Sjobeck7 4 months ago
I LOVE the music of both, but come on, as musicians, Tony is a god, but Keith Emerson IS God. Could Keith play all of Tony's pieces? Of course, no question. Could Tony play like Keith? I really think not. That said, as composers, Tony has probably written more brilliant and beautiful songs than Keith. I hate to think of a world without both of them.
TheRaivan354 4 months ago
I think Banks has way better melodies and has a better creativity eventhough I love Emerson, We should put Rick Wakeman in this battle too
Sim2428 4 months ago
@Sim2428 no, you can't get Emerson so you pick someone more approachable. the same reason you can't get into Jazz is my guess.
jsilence418 4 months ago
both of them kick ass a many artist today
gonzataker 4 months ago
Keith without doubt is the most technically accomplished of the two players.
Probably the greatest rock keyboardist we've thus far ever seen.
Apart from Nick Rhodes of Duran Duran - even though he only uses two fingers to play ;-)
andrewmurray1527 4 months ago
Che senso ha 'sta minchiata?
zorman743 4 months ago
Hey listen, i got both albums (Original) and i respect and love both their styles and refuse to choose a favourite, as their songs for me, carry a lot of treasured memories.
underkyper 4 months ago
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Two sides of the same coin.
Emerson's devilishly aggressive and diabolical. He takes your ears to war.
Banks' is angelicly sublime and erudite. He wraps your mind in the profound
TheEntropyEpoch 5 months ago
Tony writes better melodies. Game over.
kyleb2112 5 months ago
I saw Keith fall backwards on purpose taking his organ with him. He wanted to play the rest of the song lying on his back on the floor with this huge heavy instrument on top of him. Too bad he pulled the plug out by mistake ;-p Tony never woulda done that, lol.
Howiebob57 5 months ago
both r very good but tony banks sounds way better
eliteturtle47 5 months ago
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Tony has little stage present but... err he is a far better composer, player and overall creator.
AldorleaGames 5 months ago 20
@AldorleaGames
In terms of popular music you may be right. But Keith is the far better avantgarde composer, he is the far better imrovisator and up to his hand injuries he had the far better keyboard technique. Besides that he an play jazz, classical music and rock, but he never was a real pop musician. And I guess as a prof. pianist I can dare to assess that.
anonymusum 4 months ago
@AldorleaGames What planet do you live on mate?
Tony Banks a better player............??? Haha.
Emerson is far far superior to Banks from a technical playing point of view.
And Emerson's keys compositions are far more complex harmonically than those of Banks.
Give Banks Emerson's Piano Concerto to play - let's see how he gets on with that eh?
As for Banks' compositions - oh dear - would Emerson struggle?
I very much doubt it.......................Be a bloody walk in the park for him!
andrewmurray1527 3 months ago 4
@andrewmurray1527 Emerson is technically more gifted. But I believe Banks is a far more tasteful musician. Emerson has work that's so far over the top it's almost comedy. And Emerson has turned in his share of cheesy keyboard solos. Tony Banks is the most tasteful keyboardest in rock. He doesn't need to show off. As far as song writng, Emerson isn't even close. Plus, as great as ELP were, Genesis were not only better but far more consitant. Love Beach anyone?
zazozung 1 month ago
@AldorleaGames ... and didn't indulge in silly gimmicks like sticking knives in between the keys
112sje 3 months ago
@112sje It's called showmanship dumbass, and if your simply going by skill than emerson wins. there is no doubting that banks is one of the greatest keyboardists of all time, but keith just has the more complex, techincally demaning and overall impressive playing. but that doesnt make banks bad, he's still great to.
Frobe1357 2 months ago
keith emerson is more technically proficient but tony banks is more melodic
sdefonta 5 months ago 2
These men are beyond any comparison.. however,as creative talent and songwriting, Keith can't hold a candle to Tony
SuperGrayeagle 5 months ago
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Keith Emerson is by far the very best..... without battle
CHATRUCSONG 5 months ago
Keith Emerson is by far without battle
CHATRUCSONG 5 months ago
You all for got the Genius of Patrick Moraz !
as well !
progman1960 5 months ago
On technical ability Keith Emerson obviously has the upper hand as he has the jazz grounding. Keith reminds me a bit of Rick Wakeman. He has this style of playing that does become too familiar over time - the discordant arpeggios etc. As a keyboard player's battle, Emerson wins, as a battle of keyboard composers Banks owns all of them.
NarcissistsDie 5 months ago
Keith Emerson is by far the greater keyboard player plus he has genuine stage presence and a sense of humour. Tony Banks, on the other hand, has about as much charisma as a box of fish fingers.
zeke1958 5 months ago
All these guys are great, but personally I like Banks the best. I love Wakeman & Emerson to death, but there is something about Banks' playing that hits me the deepest. I also appreciate the fact that he was not a showman. He let the music do the talking. No glitter capes, and no trashing the organ. Listen to 'The Lamia' or 'Mad Man Moon' (not his later 80's crap). His chord sequences on those songs are breathtaking, and yet he can go the other way and go heavy, as in the song 'Back in N.Y.C'.
slw59 6 months ago
Why bother with all this stupid comparison stuff. Tony was Genesis, the chord structures and melodies were all about Tony, the others happened to fit in and that takes nothing away from how Phil happened to fit in either. Like all good bands it takes talent and luck, live with it. Keith Emerson did what he did brilliantly not because he was an idiot but out of young musical telent, same for Wakeman.......
sparkymachine 6 months ago
What synth is Tony playing? Sounds like a Moog, but doesn't look like a Minimoog from the clip. Maybe he's playing a modular with a controller keyboard?
fooloof 6 months ago
@fooloof Tony never used the mini moog. In the early days, his synths of choice were ARPs.
argonnj 5 months ago
@argonnj: thanks
fooloof 5 months ago
I don't know what to say...I'm gonna kick the pants off a few people
amonster8mymother 6 months ago
Tony Banks is for me the best keyboard player over the world! He has a soul and georgious sound. Keith Emerson is a good player but without a piece of soul. I can play so fast too but its not all...
countrymetalman 7 months ago
at the end of the day its all about the music. i could listen to banks stuff of the early genesis for the rest of my life. simply cos the music is better and it takes me places i could never go to in the real world.
paulsreay1 7 months ago
Keith for ever.
CabryxD 7 months ago
They are both AMAZING, but Keith wins this battle IMO.
BlastHardRock 7 months ago
I am playing his honky tonk train blues piano in japan!!!!
please show me.
ysuzuki1773 7 months ago
Music isn't a sport, and they are both more than competent at their instruments. All I can say is that I'd rather listen to Tony Banks' compositions and solos any day of the week. And that goes for Wakeman, too. But that is merely my opinion.
artrock101 7 months ago
Love 'em both. Think they're both excellent. They both win...and so do we.
spitfire71068 7 months ago
Keith Emerson probably wins but tony is musch more versatile
whilst Keith can do huge solo's and the like Tony can be huge when he wants to (Firth of Fifth, Riding the Scree so on and so forth) but he can also be small (a lot of the phill collins era of genesis) so technically Keith wins, but on versatility it's tony all the way
Frobe1357 7 months ago
Anybody who plays keyboards or knows anything about them knows that there is Keith Emerson and then there is everybody else. Just like there is the Beartles and then there is everybody else. Emerson is the standard by which everyone else is measured. I like Banks a lot but he didnt revolutionize the keyboard rock genre like Emerson did. Emerson's compostional skills and outstanding technical ability puts him light years beyond any of his so called "competiton".
profanatio 8 months ago
@profanatio
Keith Emerson sets the standard but Rick Wakeman is also in the same class/ Banks is a great keyboard player but he never came close to Emerson or Wakeman . Banks was all classical structure while emerson and Wakeman could jam and rock!!
oregonbobv 7 months ago
Keith won!!!!!
estabaesa 8 months ago
TONY WON!
GENESIS THE BEST BAND IN THE WORLD
seowarriorbarcelona 9 months ago
Seen Banks and Emo live, no competition..... Emo also has a huge personality live, which also outdoes Wakeman.
bugatti103 9 months ago
emrson wins of course, i doubt any keyboardist of the prog era can stand against him.
Akron162 9 months ago
sorry folks, Keith Emerson hands down! In fact, sorry Genesis fans but if you wanna make it a competition , ELP would have taken them to the cleaners in their heyday. (70-74)
EthanWhateley 10 months ago
the better two people get at instrument, the more their styles start to differ, and when get to this level of skill nobody could do an accurate comparison, in other words, IT'S A TIE!!!!!
Adamboms 11 months ago
emerson all the way. everyday
baseballfurie31 11 months ago 9
Emerson is more raw, and his music is very aggressive, for its sound ..... keeps the banks' balance in touch and know how to choose the sounds
aleaquatarkus 11 months ago
LOL! I like this.
kamwrites 11 months ago
Tony Wins!!
SimmonsDrums4life 1 year ago
Yeah but Kieth's keyboards go to 11.
Kdragon32 1 year ago
IN ALL DUE RESPECT TO TONY. HE CANNOT EVEN HOLD A CANDLE TO KEITH EMERSON ON ANY LEVEL. NOT SAYING HE IS NOT ALSO GREAT. BUT KEITH EMERSON IS IN A DIFFERENT LEAGUE THEN MOST. LET'S SEE T B PLAY CREOLE DANCE OR PIANO CONCERTO #1 NOT HAPPENING
Fairlynormalme 1 year ago
@Fairlynormalme True, no one can touch Keith's complete Control, Mastery and refinement
kenfig 1 year ago
IN ALL DUE RESPECT TO TONY. HE CANNOT EVEN HOLD A CANDLE TO KEITH EMERSON ON ANY LEVEL. NOT SAYING HE IS NOT ALSO GREAT. BUT KEITH EMESRON IS IN A DIFFERENT LEAGUE THEN MOST.
Fairlynormalme 1 year ago
I know Keith might be a faster player with better charisma on stage, but Tony is a master of chords that no one can beat. He understands complex chords and put a solo on top of it. I could listen to the older Genesis songs over and over for that reason. Can't say the same for ELP
dholmes40 1 year ago
@dholmes40 - Although it pains me to talk about artists like they are sports figures, I will say this. I am a professional keyboardist playing over 35 years now. I have not heard anything that Tony Banks has played that I can not play. I can not say the same for Keith Emerson.
crazykeyman 1 year ago
@dholmes40 - Although it pains me to talk about artists like they are sports figures, I will say this. I am a professional keyboardist playing over 35 years now. I have not heard anything that Tony Banks has played that I can not play. I can not say the same for Keith Emerson. Both players have extensive knowledge in Classical and jazz and there is plenty of complexity in the chord voicing of either artist. What you can not put a value on however, is what you personally like.
crazykeyman 1 year ago
They both have different styles. Keith is more suited for ELP and Tony is suited for Genesis!!! How about if they both switch bands. Tony with BLP (Banks Lake and Palmer) and Keith with Genesis!!!
jjdemarchi 1 year ago
@jjdemarchi .. ELP would have been a lot, LOT worse... and Genesis would have turned like...WOW!
noddyspuncture 1 year ago
@noddyspuncture so, you say tony banks is worse than keith emerson?
MrBigmuffer 1 year ago
@MrBigmuffer Not at all sir... what I meant was that Keith is better than Tony... ;c)
noddyspuncture 1 year ago
what the fuck it's said at the beginning???
lorenic95 1 year ago
Keith without doubt is the most technically accomplished of the two.
It would be interesting to see if TB could manage playing some of Emerson's complex keyboard compositions.
I doubt that it would be a problem for Emerson playing TB's keyboard stuff.
andrewmurray1527 1 year ago
On pure talent I guess Keith wins but as far as hit songs Tony wins hands down. I tend to like his style better than Keiths too, hes more cosmic and not as agressive. Both brilliant, but Tony is sooooo under rated!
BrentMB79 1 year ago
Kieth Emerson won!!!!
kosykh1 1 year ago 3
@kosykh1
NO WAY ARE YOU CRAZY?
TONY WON!!!
seowarriorbarcelona 9 months ago
Comment removed
aleczko 7 months ago
@kosykh1 The both are masters but Rick Wakeman is the best!
aleczko 7 months ago
@kosykh1 In my opinion they're both 2 excellent pianist...i prefer banks, but it's only my personal opinion. But Banks is a better person... He didn't crash any keyboard on a live show... and in music humility is all.
erp426 7 months ago
the actual battle back in the day was emerson and rick wakeman.
artstarnyc1 1 year ago
@artstarnyc1 Gawd I love Rick!
BrentMB79 1 year ago
@artstarnyc1or as some would call it - complexity vs beauty
crazykeyman 1 year ago
I grew up with the sound of Keith and Tony but Keith thrills me everyday. This guy is the godfather of the moog synth. and hammond organ.
madebibo 1 year ago
something for the young (at heart).
D4TR0LL 1 year ago
I like cheeseburgers.
dwilmer7 1 year ago
@ontheush77 thank you
greenmintNRG 1 year ago
is there anyone who can give me the name of all the video's songs? sorry for my english but i'm italian.
greenmintNRG 1 year ago
@greenmintNRG
Genesis - Riding the Scree
ELP - Karn Evil 9 - First Impression Part 1
Genesis - In The Cage
ELP - Tarkus
Genesis - Firth of Fifth
ELP - Living Sin
Genesis - Supper's Ready
ELP - The Endless Enigma Part 1
Genesis - The Cinema Show
ontherush77 1 year ago 7
@ontherush77 10 a 0 per Tony Banks!!!
Sergione59 4 months ago
@greenmintNRG perpetual children still at it I see,living out your elementary school fantasy of who plays what,how do you even compare these two keyboardist??,is everything supposed to be the same for you?tell me sanely and truthfully-how do you possibly compare these to keyboardist??
A72ism 7 months ago
what was that last song before the end?
paperpichu 1 year ago
@paperpichu That would be the Cinema Show by Genesis
ontherush77 1 year ago
No one can compare to Keith Emerson!
hannibal316iij 1 year ago 2
@hannibal316iij You could not have said it any better!
paperpichu 1 year ago
@hannibal316iij In his prime yes, but if that title was given out today it would be Jordan Rudess. Unfortunately Keith has had his share of problems with nerve-graft surgeries.
crazykeyman 1 year ago
No comparison Keith Emerson is the king of the modern keyboard.
fleagore 1 year ago
On sheer intesity and Soloness: Keith Emerson
On composition and chord/song structures: Tony Banks
I would say they were about equal, with Emerson possibly only slightly better.
Xanaseb 1 year ago
For the last 30 years I've admired Keith's and Tony's works, both ere masters of the keyboard playing, geniuses in rock music, living legends, but, Keith wins definetly, t's not only the complexity and originality of their compositions but their performance on stage, the charisma and the personality, the character itself, and all that contributes a lot in winning this battle, and also the fact that Keth remains faithful to his beliefs and his way own of playing satisfying his fans not Record C.
trevizons 1 year ago 4
@trevizons I have to admit he has way more stage presence and his pieces are alot more complex but you should probably note while i do believe tony is a better player this video was a joke between me and a friend of mine that with an immense amount of boredom eventually became a video.
ontherush77 1 year ago
@trevizons Tony has the whole quiet mad scientist thing working. I doesn't bop around like an idiot. He gets it done.
argonnj 5 months ago
why does it have to be a contest of whose best. If they were into competitions, they wouldn't be musicians. they would be some loser ass jock soccer player or something. why do you people insist on doing this ???? vs. ???? do you think they write a piece trying to be THE BEST. " I hope this new piece is better than the new Keith Emerson record" no dumb ass!
scwprs 4 months ago
@scwprs Maybe because it's just good fun?
HoosierRobert 4 months ago