I am the happy owner of a 1977 Rhodes Stage Model that I acquired about the time when lots of pianists were ditching them because the DX-7 was so much easier to lug. I picked it up from $400 and dragged it around with me to grad school and later in our first home. I got a job requiring us to move and now with 2 kids in tow, the moving truck full, and the cars packed to the ceiling, there was no place for it. I put it on a dolly and walked it down the street to my then saxophone student Dana Nielsen and said, "here, have a piano. I can't fit it and I think it will be in good hands with your family." I moved on and so did Dana. He's a recording engineer in LA and does a lot of work for Rick Rubin. I was out that way doing a guest performance at Cal Poly Pamona and had some time off and went to visit him at his home where he has his mixing suite. I hadn't seen him for about 25 years. There is was sitting there and he said, "I used it on some song writing sessions back a while ago, but now I really don't use it. Do you want it back? If you can get someone to box it up and ship it, its yours" Needless to say, I took him up on the offer and have it back home hooked up to a Roland Cube 80 amp which is perfect for it. Lots of fun to play, although I will say one has to be careful of the action because it's a natural tendency to want to play them a little harder and that can cause injury if you aren't careful. Still, I love that sound. I was even taught by that arrangers liked them because the harmonic profile gave you a sense of what would sound good in horn sections when arranging.
@@jmoorecareers Could not agree with you more brother. When Billy brings in the Rhodes, I promise you, every time I hear it, a shiver goes down my spine and I get a little more pulled back into the groove with the tune.
I owned a Rhodes then a Wurlitzer. The Wurlitzer has a sound more like the human voice to my ears. And a Wurlitzer can sub for a Rhodes better than the other way around. Short history of the Wurlitzer Electronic Piano sometime, I hope?
@@seeburg10 Gotta love The Whirl! When I was living in San Diego, there was a pizza place that had a full size whirly. On weekends they would show silent films, with the organ as accompaniment. What a sound! What a show!
1978 was my freshman year of college. A guy I met and became friends with had a Fender Rhodes in his dorm room with 2 big cabinet speakers. He could absolutely blow out the whole dorm. He was a great player and really talented. It's a shame he left school after our freshman year. I would have loved to have listened to him play all 4 years.
Thank you, HAROLD RHODES for doing your part to help tame mankind with your military service, genius and contributions. In this age of A.I. and production software aside, for me you can't beat the real deal of owning an authentic Rhodes piano in your studio or mancave.
For me, Richard Tee had the best thing going on with the Rhodes. His work with Paul Simon and everywhere in the 80s is honey to my ears with his phase shifter set at the oh so perfect woosh.
My dad was in a band with a guy who had a 73 plugged into a Roland Jazz Chorus for live playing. The thing I remember the most about it was how heavy it was.
I was surprised and delighted to see and hear a Rhodes when the Blue Note jazz combo came through town. Unmistakable look and sound. Thanks for including the Miles in the Sky bit, absolutely a classic.
A friend of mine worked in a large Goodwill store and told me occasionally instruments come in and the people have no idea how to price them. One morning I got a phone call "You got to get down here right away!" I walked in shortly after they put on the floor a Mark II 72 Stage. The case top was off and it was sitting on a table. Not a mark on it. I pulled the cover off and it was so clean and the smell that came from inside reminded me of a church. A look in the lid and there was a blk plastic snap case with the legs & pedal. It look like they've never been screwed on. Then the fun part... price tag $100.00! I used to wear a Fender logo t-shirt & and often got the question "Are you a guitar player?" Nope, keyboard's. I also own a Fender Chroma Polaris synth. Made with ARP tech Fender got as ARP Co. was fizzling out. I lied a little cuz the Rhodes does not have the Fender name. Does that make it 'post' CBS? 🤔 ཞɧơɖɛʂ ɱąཞƙ ıı
I've owned two Rhodes Suitcase 73 pianos, the second one inspired by a conversation with Joe Sample. We were opening two shows for the Jazz Crusaders and I was curious about his piano as it seemed to be much louder than mine. I was considering the purchase of Suitcase #2 because, although #1 sounded fine, the action was really stiff . I'd played a newer one at a local dealer that felt much better and committed to an upgrade but I couldn't decide whether I wanted a 73 key or an 88. I had asked him several questions about his piano and told him about my pending decision. He then started asking me questions about my experiences, likes, and dislikes about my then current rig. Finally he said, "If you don't like those things about a 73, you're gonna HATE an 88!". Thanks, Joe, RIP
The highlight of my life: Playing and singing Stevie Wonder’s “I Wish” on an 88 Rhodes stage piano in a bar band in Ann Arbor, MI circa 1983. I lugged that monster up and down the stairs to basement dives. It weighed about 150 pounds but it was worth it. Electronic synthesizers would not come close to the sound for another 15 years.
My only complaint with these videos is that I always hear something that prompts me to want to comment some interesting fact but then as soon as I’m done typing, Keith inevitably mentions the exact thing I was gonna say in the video. Your research is thorough, Keith!
I hope you do a short history on the Leslie that is such a unique speaker and used with a variety of instruments. Thanks for all of your hard work Keith absolutely love all of your content. Matt
Absolutely! A B3 without a Leslie is like a peanut butter sandwich without jelly or marshmallow fluff. And yet Hammond hated Leslie and his speaker, and did his best to design the organs in such a way that it would be difficult to interface with a Leslie.
Thrilled to see this video! I can't ever forget the Rhodes' performances by John Paul Jones on "No Quarter' and Richard Tee's ethereal playing on "Just The Two Of Us" by Grover Washington.
Another beautifully done history my man. That Rhodes has glued together much of rocks history throughout the 70s especially much of the time without us hardly noticing ❤🤘
Thanks for this background story on the Rhodes. I'm a guitarist who dabbles in keyboard playing, and wondered why I'm so enamored of the Rhodes sounds delivered via my USB connected midi keyboard. It became clear as you mentioned the artists who used a Rhodes in their tunes!
Return To Forever's Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy sold me on Rhodes and been a fan ever since. Jan Hammer followed soon after with Birds of Fire. Miles in the Sky has long been my favorite Miles album, but had no idea it was his first use of Rhodes.
Yeah, despite the venerable history from WW2, I had no idea that the Rhoads we’d play and see in the 80s and 90s were actually relatively new tech. I suppose the flashing lights of the new synths kinda made the EP seem a bit of a dusty antique, but so many of those first recordings were only a decade or so behind the new stuff that was mostly keeping our/my attention. I’ve always loved EP, and I didn’t really understand why until I was older and realised it was the physical action, the electric rather than electronic foot in the physical world, with its imperfections, accidents and near infinite range of expression. The 0-127 range of MIDI seems fine for many things but when you add the infinite shading of overtones etc, a physical instrument is still special. Don’t get me wrong, I love digital tech and the flexibility it gives us, but I also like having that ‘real’ element. Even when I went down the electronic music tunnel in the 90s, I tried to find a place for my Les Paul and my EP. Sadly, I sold the Rhoads decades ago when I moved continents. But I kept the guitar, thank god.
Of all my musical kit, probably the best thing I own is my 73-key Stage Piano, which I improbably won as the only bidder in an eBay auction the very day my son was born. The seller graciously freighted it to me via his job with American Airlines, I think I paid $18 or thereabouts to get a 150-lb item shipped cross country to me. I recently tracked a bunch of Rhodes for the album I'm making. Ran the signal through a phaser and an overdrive, into a 68 Custom Princeton with the reverb dimed. Just a gorgeous sound. You feel it in your whole body. Thanks for spotlighting a tremendous instrument, Keith!
Thanks for making this video. I've been a Rhodes fan since I first heard Elton John's "Daniel". I learned so much from this brief history. Thanks again.
My fave Rhodes tune that you didn’t already mention (cuz I’d have picked Bob James’ “Angela”) is the Rhodes on “Babe” by Styx. That intro is magic and I’m currently stumbling my way through learning it. Another fantastic video Keith and team! I’m a primarily a guitar player, but like most of us I’m a musician and music lover first, and I’d very happily watch any gear history you and your team create, again and again. I know this one will get a lot of rewatches by me. Thanks Keith! ✌️😌🎸
Had the pleasure of performing at the RVA Jazz and Music Festival last week and met Bob James before his performance!!!!!! 84 years young and just a really awesome guy and legendary musician!! Every song song he played sounded like a sample from hip hop!!!!
This was a lot of fun Keith! Such a classic sound. Back in HS in the 80s one of the competing bands was a three piece with no bass player - their keys player had a Rhodes and was arguably the finest musician in our school (he went on to serve as a keyboard player in the military now for some close to 40 years) - he played bass on it as well as using a moog in the classic stack configuration - no question that setup and his playing was the envy of all of us.
There is that immediately recognized tone that's unmistakable. Nothing else sounds like a Rhodes. Great non-guitar video Keith. Not to say I don't love the guitar short history's but there are other instruments in the band. If you ever do one on drums, it's going to take a long time just because it's probably the 1st instrument ever. LOL 😱
Even after setting foot into the eighteen Watt world (thanks to a Hughes & Kettner Tubemeister 18 entering my life), I'm still very pleased to be a part of the Five Watt World 😁
Love the Rhodes! It was saturated in hit songs of the 70s and mid 80s. Professional Musicians thought it was a toy alright and resisted it at first. What a beautiful sound it makes. Soft bells that draw you in like a gravitational pull. Thanks for posting!
Ohhhhh. I love the "Dreamy Sound of a Fender Rhodes" - It sounded-so-good with: Steely Dan. I'd appreciate any other Musical Recommendations (any genre) with Fender Rhodes - it's just so-Hypnotic. Great job with this. Enjoyed it.
I fell in love with the Rhodes sound when we were competing at a high school band festival in Gorham, NY and the host school jazz band brought out a suitcase Rhodes for their performance. I knew that night that I would someday own one. It took me forty years, but it finally happened. The patches are really good, but the action on an actual Rhodes really gives you a workout that's a big part of the experience.
Awesome that you're branching out on other instruments too, hopefully you will even get into hammond organ, synths etc. Always loved the sound of the Rhodes!
I love the guitar content, but I didn't know anything about this background and that makes this my favorite video by you to date. Keep on keeping on....
You always provide well-researched and lucid content, but this was excellent. Concise yet detailed, it answered questions that I was too dumb to ask. Thank you.
Ah…the synthesized piano. What a beautifully appealing sound it makes - very mellow and relaxing. The notable tunes that come to mind for me is Daniel, Still Crazy After All These Years, Dream Weaver, Just The Way You Are, With A Little Luck, No Quarter, Minute By Minute…and easily dozens of others I can’t think of at the moment but y’all get my point I’m sure. Thanks Keith for yet another awesome, informative video! I totally LUV your content and always walk away smarter after tuning in to them. Now, please consider a Hammond Organ segment. In court the jury favored one over that of a pipe organ and Hammond won the case brought forward against his incredible creation. I leave the full researched story up to you now. Thanks again Keith.
In the court of public opinion, however, Hammond lost his battle to prevent Leslie speakers from being used with his keyboard ---- and we are the richer for it! 😁👍
It was Mike Mills' playing with REM that introduced me to, and made me fall in love with the sound of the Rhodes. I didn't know what the sound was but I knew it was beautiful
I worked at a radio station in the 80s- Art Garfunkel's version of "I Only Have Eyes For You" was the next song. I cued the start of the song as I gave my normal announcer patter, and then the stereo tremolo happened. I was wearing headphones (of course) and the travel between the left and right channels nearly split my head apart. I stammered, but regained my composure and announced the name of the song before the vocals began.
I took piano lessons at Playground Music in Panama City Florida when I was ten and eleven and the lesson room had six Fender Rhodes. At the time I had no idea how cool those pianos were. I preferred my big stand up with the mirror across the top (so the player could communicate with the choir behind them). It had great tone and volume and we had a guy who would tune it every year. Now I look back and wish I had one of those Rhodes.
Thanks, Keith, I’m a keyboardist, I don’t play guitar, but I’m a long time FWW subscriber and oddly like watching guitar videos! My first “cool” instrument was a Suitcase 73 that I bought in 1978 for $1,000. It went with me to Berklee with a hand truck my dad bought me as a going to college present. After I got an ARP Odyssey, my dad built a flat top for the Rhodes and my keyboard stack started growing. The synth is long gone but I still have the Rhodes, the hand truck, and the custom flat top, and they remind me of Dad now that he’s gone.
Great vid! A guitar player for 30 years but lately I’ve been just as interested in the sounds of the Rhodes, Hammond, and Farfisa. Leslie too. Lots of material out there
I have owned and gigged my Mk1 Rhodes since 1983. Its required several full rebuilds during this time. Over the years have swayed onto digital pianos from Roland RD200 in the 80's to the Latest Nord offerings last year. NOTHING compares to a real Rhodes. I own a new Vintage Vibe that is a great mechanical/electro piano that I love as an alternative piano and although pretty much identical inside its not a Rhodes. There is a secret magic even when you just play 1 Bass end note its addictive. Its the only musical instrument I have owned that once I sit down I struggle to stop playing. There are many digital pianos that have very good Rhodes patches and the VST libraries are almost faultless in creating the Rhodes sound but its not just the sound. A Rhodes comforts you makes you smile produces a sound with a million other sounds happening at the same time and gives musical inspiration regardless of what level of player you are. I was told Al Jarreau owned 3 Rhodes and could not play piano just loved the sound they made. My advice is NEVER buy a Rhodes unless you are prepared to lug around a big heavy lump the rest of your gigging life. After playing one no other piano will ever compare to a Rhodes. The day I can not lift my Rhodes will be the day I stop gigging.
As someone’s whose job it is to fix these, this is gonna be such a fun watch! And for anyone curious, I have videos posted with many of these instruments! Just finished, great video!! You should have mentioned how when the Beatles got their Rhodes they were disappointed cause they thought it would sound like a Wurlitzer 😂. If you ever want to do a Wurlitzer video and want any help lmk ;)
I owned one of these I was fortunate to find in a pawn shop where I knew the owner. I took it home for $150. I never really learned to play piano, but would sit at it playing chords to simple songs. Man I love these. Thanks for this great “Short History”❤
I never really knew what a roades piano was but I've been hearing that sound my whole life as I'm 51 now. The other night I was watching Billy Joel from old grey whistle test performing just the Way You are. I found out later he was playing the roades so I looked this up. You very neatly summed up everything that I needed to know about it. I'm a guitar player but I enjoy learning new things about music all the time. Thank you for this piece.
This is an outstanding video. I have to mention Zappa as an early mover of said product as George Duke was hesitant about using electric by his own admission I believe.
Another great video! I too come from a guitar background but very often use keyboard for writing, often with a Rhodes patch. Just a lovely sound that goes with so many styles. Thank you Keith
Great video Keith. I was in a high school cover band (called Top 40 bands back then) in the mid-70s. Our keyboard player went through a Wurlitzer, then a Rhodes suitcase, then added a B3 complete with Leslie. I still recall three of us huffing that B3 and Leslie up a flight of metal stairs at a gym dance. No wonder I have sciatica today. Funny how those classic sounds - the Wurly, the Rhodes, and the Hammond have all come back and purists swear that synths and plugin software just don't cover the harmonic complexity and dynamics of those analog instruments. Don't get me started on the finicky ARP Axxe, lol!
Thank you Keith, for more core education on the seminal instruments used in making the greatest popular music in modern history. Any guitarist of a certain age who is really into classic tones has to admit that, while made by an entirely different instrument, the sound of a Rhodes is without question one of the most pleasing and recognizable tones ever made.
Another excellent history lesson Keith. As a guitar player ive always love songs in the '70's & '80's that had a Fender Rhodes in them. This brought back so many musical memories for me.
As a Beetles fan from day one, I was always intrigued by the Mellotron that John played in the movie Help! Fast forward about 3 decades and I’m working at Interscope Records in IT support. I get a call to go up to Jimmy Iovine’s office to do some work on a new Mac that he recently purchased. As I enter the office, Jimmy is on the phone and he motions me in. I start staring around everywhere, because there’s freaking memorabilia everywhere! Over on one wall is a picture I’ve seen somewhere before. It’s John and Jimmy shoulder to shoulder on the roof of the Dakota in NYC. I cross the room to get a better view and to look at some other pics on the wall, and that’s when I spot it! It was actually right below the picture of the two of them, the same Mellotron from the movie. Apparently, John gifted it to Jimmy sometime around when they worked together on Double Fantasy. So, there’s one more guy who got my life! :)
The other iconic keyboard sound of the 1970s (though it was also used in the 60s) is Stevie Wonder playing his Clavinet on Higher Ground, Superstition, You Ain't Done Nothin' , and others.
I hope there will be a hammond organ video too!!
Same here!
And/or a short history of MIDI.
Same same!!
Agreed🖖🏻
Or a Wurlitzer one too
I am the happy owner of a 1977 Rhodes Stage Model that I acquired about the time when lots of pianists were ditching them because the DX-7 was so much easier to lug. I picked it up from $400 and dragged it around with me to grad school and later in our first home. I got a job requiring us to move and now with 2 kids in tow, the moving truck full, and the cars packed to the ceiling, there was no place for it. I put it on a dolly and walked it down the street to my then saxophone student Dana Nielsen and said, "here, have a piano. I can't fit it and I think it will be in good hands with your family." I moved on and so did Dana. He's a recording engineer in LA and does a lot of work for Rick Rubin. I was out that way doing a guest performance at Cal Poly Pamona and had some time off and went to visit him at his home where he has his mixing suite. I hadn't seen him for about 25 years. There is was sitting there and he said, "I used it on some song writing sessions back a while ago, but now I really don't use it. Do you want it back? If you can get someone to box it up and ship it, its yours" Needless to say, I took him up on the offer and have it back home hooked up to a Roland Cube 80 amp which is perfect for it. Lots of fun to play, although I will say one has to be careful of the action because it's a natural tendency to want to play them a little harder and that can cause injury if you aren't careful. Still, I love that sound. I was even taught by that arrangers liked them because the harmonic profile gave you a sense of what would sound good in horn sections when arranging.
Great story!
"Sometimes They Come Back"! 😉👍👏
that's a long story. I'm just glad the Rhodes ended up in a good home.
In the series "Get Back", the moment Billy Preston joins in with the Fender Rhodes is absolutely magical. Great history. Thanks for doing this.
@@jmoorecareers Could not agree with you more brother. When Billy brings in the Rhodes, I promise you, every time I hear it, a shiver goes down my spine and I get a little more pulled back into the groove with the tune.
Absolutely magical is right. Goosebumps.
I audibly said " NO WAY" when I saw this upload and had to come watch immediately! Great Video Keith
I've been in love with the Rhodes Piano sound since I was a little kid. Thank You for this.
Excellent Keith. Bloody Well Right - Supertramp.
I think that’s a Wurlitzer isn’t it? But I don’t know…
@@fivewattworldit is……
I owned a Rhodes then a Wurlitzer. The Wurlitzer has a sound more like the human voice to my ears. And a Wurlitzer can sub for a Rhodes better than the other way around. Short history of the Wurlitzer Electronic Piano sometime, I hope?
@@seeburg10 Gotta love The Whirl! When I was living in San Diego, there was a pizza place that had a full size whirly. On weekends they would show silent films, with the organ as accompaniment. What a sound! What a show!
@@michaelbanka4570very different kind of Wurlitzer but equally amazing. The Wurlitzer 140, 200 and 201 models are closest to the Rhodes pianos.
@@andyryan_mediaThanks for the info!
@@andyryan_media there was 200A model as well, right?
@@StarQueenEstrella yes, you are absolutely correct
1978 was my freshman year of college. A guy I met and became friends with had a Fender Rhodes in his dorm room with 2 big cabinet speakers. He could absolutely blow out the whole dorm. He was a great player and really talented. It's a shame he left school after our freshman year. I would have loved to have listened to him play all 4 years.
Thank you for doing this, Keith! The Rhodes is such an important instrument.
Billy Joel - Just the way you are ❤
Thank you, HAROLD RHODES for doing your part to help tame mankind with your military service, genius and contributions. In this age of A.I. and production software aside, for me you can't beat the real deal of owning an authentic Rhodes piano in your studio or mancave.
For me, Richard Tee had the best thing going on with the Rhodes. His work with Paul Simon and everywhere in the 80s is honey to my ears with his phase shifter set at the oh so perfect woosh.
For me, his playing in “Something so right “ is absolute mastery.
Another excellent video, Professor, and what an inspiring story about its origin. Mr. Rhodes was a genius with a very caring heart.
My dad was in a band with a guy who had a 73 plugged into a Roland Jazz Chorus for live playing. The thing I remember the most about it was how heavy it was.
Another fabulous and informative FFW installment. Never knew the history and backstory of the Rhodes. Such an iconic sound and instrument.
I just bought my first Rhodes last year which has been a dream a decade in the making. I found a 1979 Stage Mk I 73. In the process of restoring!
same; but a Mk II; and I now also own a winding machine so I can rewind the dead pickups. About a third were doa.
I was surprised and delighted to see and hear a Rhodes when the Blue Note jazz combo came through town. Unmistakable look and sound. Thanks for including the Miles in the Sky bit, absolutely a classic.
A friend of mine worked in a large Goodwill store and told me occasionally instruments come in and the people have no idea how to price them. One morning I got a phone call "You got to get down here right away!"
I walked in shortly after they put on the floor a Mark II 72 Stage. The case top was off and it was sitting on a table. Not a mark on it. I pulled the cover off and it was so clean and the smell that came from inside reminded me of a church. A look in the lid and there was a blk plastic snap case with the legs & pedal. It look like they've never been screwed on. Then the fun part... price tag $100.00!
I used to wear a Fender logo t-shirt & and often got the question "Are you a guitar player?" Nope, keyboard's. I also own a Fender Chroma Polaris synth. Made with ARP tech Fender got as ARP Co. was fizzling out.
I lied a little cuz the Rhodes does not have the Fender name. Does that make it 'post' CBS? 🤔
ཞɧơɖɛʂ ɱąཞƙ ıı
I've owned two Rhodes Suitcase 73 pianos, the second one inspired by a conversation with Joe Sample. We were opening two shows for the Jazz Crusaders and I was curious about his piano as it seemed to be much louder than mine. I was considering the purchase of Suitcase #2 because, although #1 sounded fine, the action was really stiff . I'd played a newer one at a local dealer that felt much better and committed to an upgrade but I couldn't decide whether I wanted a 73 key or an 88. I had asked him several questions about his piano and told him about my pending decision. He then started asking me questions about my experiences, likes, and dislikes about my then current rig. Finally he said, "If you don't like those things about a 73, you're gonna HATE an 88!". Thanks, Joe, RIP
😂😂😂😂
That sound is like no other. Thanks, Keith! Peace
Great Video. Thanks. The Rhodes and Hammond are my two favorite keyboard sounds.
The highlight of my life: Playing and singing Stevie Wonder’s “I Wish” on an 88 Rhodes stage piano in a bar band in Ann Arbor, MI circa 1983. I lugged that monster up and down the stairs to basement dives. It weighed about 150 pounds but it was worth it. Electronic synthesizers would not come close to the sound for another 15 years.
My only complaint with these videos is that I always hear something that prompts me to want to comment some interesting fact but then as soon as I’m done typing, Keith inevitably mentions the exact thing I was gonna say in the video. Your research is thorough, Keith!
I hope you do a short history on the Leslie that is such a unique speaker and used with a variety of instruments.
Thanks for all of your hard work Keith absolutely love all of your content.
Matt
Absolutely! A B3 without a Leslie is like a peanut butter sandwich without jelly or marshmallow fluff. And yet Hammond hated Leslie and his speaker, and did his best to design the organs in such a way that it would be difficult to interface with a Leslie.
Enjoyable ride thru the evolution of a classic...
Jazz piano legend Bill Evans played a Rhodes on one of his last albums. Great stuff!
Thrilled to see this video! I can't ever forget the Rhodes' performances by John Paul Jones on "No Quarter' and Richard Tee's ethereal playing on "Just The Two Of Us" by Grover Washington.
Such a great retrospective of an essential instrument of our times! Thanks for sharing this with us, Keith.
Fantastic episode. The cross-section illustration is stunning.
Thanks.
Another beautifully done history my man. That Rhodes has glued together much of rocks history throughout the 70s especially much of the time without us hardly noticing ❤🤘
Thanks for this background story on the Rhodes. I'm a guitarist who dabbles in keyboard playing, and wondered why I'm so enamored of the Rhodes sounds delivered via my USB connected midi keyboard. It became clear as you mentioned the artists who used a Rhodes in their tunes!
Thanks Keith. 🙂
Return To Forever's Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy sold me on Rhodes and been a fan ever since. Jan Hammer followed soon after with Birds of Fire. Miles in the Sky has long been my favorite Miles album, but had no idea it was his first use of Rhodes.
Once again Miles Davis at the forefront of a musical revolution!!!
Yeah, despite the venerable history from WW2, I had no idea that the Rhoads we’d play and see in the 80s and 90s were actually relatively new tech. I suppose the flashing lights of the new synths kinda made the EP seem a bit of a dusty antique, but so many of those first recordings were only a decade or so behind the new stuff that was mostly keeping our/my attention. I’ve always loved EP, and I didn’t really understand why until I was older and realised it was the physical action, the electric rather than electronic foot in the physical world, with its imperfections, accidents and near infinite range of expression. The 0-127 range of MIDI seems fine for many things but when you add the infinite shading of overtones etc, a physical instrument is still special.
Don’t get me wrong, I love digital tech and the flexibility it gives us, but I also like having that ‘real’ element. Even when I went down the electronic music tunnel in the 90s, I tried to find a place for my Les Paul and my EP. Sadly, I sold the Rhoads decades ago when I moved continents. But I kept the guitar, thank god.
Of all my musical kit, probably the best thing I own is my 73-key Stage Piano, which I improbably won as the only bidder in an eBay auction the very day my son was born. The seller graciously freighted it to me via his job with American Airlines, I think I paid $18 or thereabouts to get a 150-lb item shipped cross country to me. I recently tracked a bunch of Rhodes for the album I'm making. Ran the signal through a phaser and an overdrive, into a 68 Custom Princeton with the reverb dimed. Just a gorgeous sound. You feel it in your whole body. Thanks for spotlighting a tremendous instrument, Keith!
You have a gift for storytelling....thank you
The most beautiful keyboard sound imo. My Mark I is one of the few pieces of studio gear that I’ll never sell.
The Rhodes is such an iconic sound.
This channel is what all UA-cam channels should strive to be. Love your work, and thanks for creating such great content!
YES
please do more like this, its awesome!
Thanks for making this video. I've been a Rhodes fan since I first heard Elton John's "Daniel". I learned so much from this brief history. Thanks again.
A decade+ of packing/unpacking a Hammond, Rhodes and clavinet and im still grateful for the latter two whenever i see/hear them.
My fave Rhodes tune that you didn’t already mention (cuz I’d have picked Bob James’ “Angela”) is the Rhodes on “Babe” by Styx. That intro is magic and I’m currently stumbling my way through learning it.
Another fantastic video Keith and team! I’m a primarily a guitar player, but like most of us I’m a musician and music lover first, and I’d very happily watch any gear history you and your team create, again and again. I know this one will get a lot of rewatches by me.
Thanks Keith! ✌️😌🎸
Had the pleasure of performing at the RVA Jazz and Music Festival last week and met Bob James before his performance!!!!!! 84 years young and just a really awesome guy and legendary musician!! Every song song he played sounded like a sample from hip hop!!!!
Thats because his stuff been sampled so much, especially Mardi Gras.
@@sirjer73 Yes true but he was also talking to all of us young cats and he moved like he was 30, his energy!!
The late great Angelo Badalamenti, who collaborated with David Lynch on so many films, used a Rhodes Mark I.
Lots of lovely Rhodes in Vangelis’ early years 🎹
Awesome documentary on the Rhodes, Keith. Such brief history stories are my favorite part of your channel!
This was a lot of fun Keith! Such a classic sound. Back in HS in the 80s one of the competing bands was a three piece with no bass player - their keys player had a Rhodes and was arguably the finest musician in our school (he went on to serve as a keyboard player in the military now for some close to 40 years) - he played bass on it as well as using a moog in the classic stack configuration - no question that setup and his playing was the envy of all of us.
There is that immediately recognized tone that's unmistakable. Nothing else sounds like a Rhodes. Great non-guitar video Keith. Not to say I don't love the guitar short history's but there are other instruments in the band. If you ever do one on drums, it's going to take a long time just because it's probably the 1st instrument ever. LOL 😱
Even after setting foot into the eighteen Watt world (thanks to a Hughes & Kettner Tubemeister 18 entering my life), I'm still very pleased to be a part of the Five Watt World 😁
Love the Rhodes! It was saturated in hit songs of the 70s and mid 80s. Professional Musicians thought it was a toy alright and resisted it at first. What a beautiful sound it makes. Soft bells that draw you in like a gravitational pull. Thanks for posting!
I've always loved the sound of The Rhodes and the Hammond B3.
Ohhhhh. I love the "Dreamy Sound of a Fender Rhodes" - It sounded-so-good with: Steely Dan. I'd appreciate any other Musical Recommendations (any genre) with Fender Rhodes - it's just so-Hypnotic. Great job with this. Enjoyed it.
Nothing sounds like a Fender Rhodes! ❤
Great video. I also vote for a Hammond organ video. Keith, you really should get a Rhodes piano. You only live once. 😊
I fell in love with the Rhodes sound when we were competing at a high school band festival in Gorham, NY and the host school jazz band brought out a suitcase Rhodes for their performance. I knew that night that I would someday own one. It took me forty years, but it finally happened. The patches are really good, but the action on an actual Rhodes really gives you a workout that's a big part of the experience.
Mahalo Keith! Another great short history.
Thanks Victor!
Awesome that you're branching out on other instruments too, hopefully you will even get into hammond organ, synths etc. Always loved the sound of the Rhodes!
Thanks for this Keith! I love the Short History videos and I like that you covered the Rhodes. Such a classic sound!
I love the guitar content, but I didn't know anything about this background and that makes this my favorite video by you to date. Keep on keeping on....
You always provide well-researched and lucid content, but this was excellent. Concise yet detailed, it answered questions that I was too dumb to ask.
Thank you.
Thanks Keith! “I Can’t Tell You Why” by The Eagles
Ah…the synthesized piano. What a beautifully appealing sound it makes - very mellow and relaxing. The notable tunes that come to mind for me is Daniel, Still Crazy After All These Years, Dream Weaver, Just The Way You Are, With A Little Luck, No Quarter, Minute By Minute…and easily dozens of others I can’t think of at the moment but y’all get my point I’m sure. Thanks Keith for yet another awesome, informative video! I totally LUV your content and always walk away smarter after tuning in to them. Now, please consider a Hammond Organ segment. In court the jury favored one over that of a pipe organ and Hammond won the case brought forward against his incredible creation. I leave the full researched story up to you now. Thanks again Keith.
In the court of public opinion, however, Hammond lost his battle to prevent Leslie speakers from being used with his keyboard ---- and we are the richer for it! 😁👍
Great job as always, Keith! My fav Rhodes song is 'Hey Nineteen by the Dan. Thanks again for a job well done!
It was Mike Mills' playing with REM that introduced me to, and made me fall in love with the sound of the Rhodes. I didn't know what the sound was but I knew it was beautiful
Ray Charles used to be featured on the Fender/Rhodes advertisement in instrument magazines back in the late 70's and early eighties.
Great video Keith. And it taught me a lot about the sounds that were part of the soundtrack of my youth. Thanks so much.
Love, love, *love* me some Rhodes piano! Always a fantastic tone. Enjoyed the vid -- thanks!
I worked at a radio station in the 80s- Art Garfunkel's version of "I Only Have Eyes For You" was the next song. I cued the start of the song as I gave my normal announcer patter, and then the stereo tremolo happened. I was wearing headphones (of course) and the travel between the left and right channels nearly split my head apart. I stammered, but regained my composure and announced the name of the song before the vocals began.
Fantastic as always. Definitely merits a Hammond B3 and a DX7 follow up
I took piano lessons at Playground Music in Panama City Florida when I was ten and eleven and the lesson room had six Fender Rhodes. At the time I had no idea how cool those pianos were. I preferred my big stand up with the mirror across the top (so the player could communicate with the choir behind them). It had great tone and volume and we had a guy who would tune it every year. Now I look back and wish I had one of those Rhodes.
Thanks, Keith, I’m a keyboardist, I don’t play guitar, but I’m a long time FWW subscriber and oddly like watching guitar videos! My first “cool” instrument was a Suitcase 73 that I bought in 1978 for $1,000. It went with me to Berklee with a hand truck my dad bought me as a going to college present. After I got an ARP Odyssey, my dad built a flat top for the Rhodes and my keyboard stack started growing. The synth is long gone but I still have the Rhodes, the hand truck, and the custom flat top, and they remind me of Dad now that he’s gone.
Excellent video great presentation !
As someone that gets a lot of my work because I double on guitar and keyboards, it made me very happy to see this video! Great work and thank you!
Great vid! A guitar player for 30 years but lately I’ve been just as interested in the sounds of the Rhodes, Hammond, and Farfisa. Leslie too. Lots of material out there
Farfisa! Haven’t seen that name in a very long time!
@@michaelbanka4570, Now you've gone and done it: I'm gonna have "96 Tears" stuck in my head for at least the entire day!
Yes, I'm interested in keyboards as well as guitars, I enjoyed this Keith. I wouldn't mind more keyboard videos if you feel inspired to do so
I have owned and gigged my Mk1 Rhodes since 1983. Its required several full rebuilds during this time. Over the years have swayed onto digital pianos from Roland RD200 in the 80's to the Latest Nord offerings last year. NOTHING compares to a real Rhodes. I own a new Vintage Vibe that is a great mechanical/electro piano that I love as an alternative piano and although pretty much identical inside its not a Rhodes. There is a secret magic even when you just play 1 Bass end note its addictive. Its the only musical instrument I have owned that once I sit down I struggle to stop playing. There are many digital pianos that have very good Rhodes patches and the VST libraries are almost faultless in creating the Rhodes sound but its not just the sound. A Rhodes comforts you makes you smile produces a sound with a million other sounds happening at the same time and gives musical inspiration regardless of what level of player you are. I was told Al Jarreau owned 3 Rhodes and could not play piano just loved the sound they made. My advice is NEVER buy a Rhodes unless you are prepared to lug around a big heavy lump the rest of your gigging life. After playing one no other piano will ever compare to a Rhodes. The day I can not lift my Rhodes will be the day I stop gigging.
I shook my tail feather when I saw the title. Thanks Keith, FWW and TrueFire.
"Come on Ray, there's no action left in this keyboard"
@@CraigHollabaugh LOL! Love it! Is that anything like shaking your money maker? :)
There's nothing wrong with this piano. Shake It.
@@michaelbanka4570 is there a dance move for your "money maker"?
@@CraigHollabaugh There is, but it comes with a warning to shield your eyes!
As someone’s whose job it is to fix these, this is gonna be such a fun watch! And for anyone curious, I have videos posted with many of these instruments!
Just finished, great video!! You should have mentioned how when the Beatles got their Rhodes they were disappointed cause they thought it would sound like a Wurlitzer 😂. If you ever want to do a Wurlitzer video and want any help lmk ;)
I could have never guessed how interesting this would be!
I see a short history I click because I know it’s always going to be great… this one as always did not disappoint
I owned one of these I was fortunate to find in a pawn shop where I knew the owner. I took it home for $150. I never really learned to play piano, but would sit at it playing chords to simple songs. Man I love these.
Thanks for this great “Short History”❤
Fantastic video. Gave me so many suggestions of albums I need to listen to. I absolutely love the Rhodes sound. Thank you
Another banger, Keith. thank you! You’re like Costco. You seem to know what we want right before we do.
😂😂😂
Your stuff is always great. Even though I only play guitar this was so interesting. Thanks again!
I remember learning what instrument made *that* sound. So iconic and legendary
Phenomenal presentation, as always!! Keep up the good work!
I always enjoy your videos about guitars, but being primarily a keyboard player, I *love* the Rhodes video. I look forward to future keyboard videos!
I'm a minute into your video, and rightly or wrongly. Ray Manzerick, pops into my head.
I never really knew what a roades piano was but I've been hearing that sound my whole life as I'm 51 now. The other night I was watching Billy Joel from old grey whistle test performing just the Way You are. I found out later he was playing the roades so I looked this up. You very neatly summed up everything that I needed to know about it. I'm a guitar player but I enjoy learning new things about music all the time. Thank you for this piece.
This is an outstanding video. I have to mention Zappa as an early mover of said product as George Duke was hesitant about using electric by his own admission I believe.
Loved this!!!! What a cool story!
Thanks for this. I am a huge rhodes (and Hammond) lover as well despite being a guitarist mostly.
It sounds to me like you should own a Fender Vibratone for your guitar..... 😉
Another great video! I too come from a guitar background but very often use keyboard for writing, often with a Rhodes patch. Just a lovely sound that goes with so many styles. Thank you Keith
You read my mind. I was just thinking “I haven’t watched a Five Watt history video in a while” this morning while drinking my coffee.
Great video Keith. I was in a high school cover band (called Top 40 bands back then) in the mid-70s. Our keyboard player went through a Wurlitzer, then a Rhodes suitcase, then added a B3 complete with Leslie. I still recall three of us huffing that B3 and Leslie up a flight of metal stairs at a gym dance. No wonder I have sciatica today. Funny how those classic sounds - the Wurly, the Rhodes, and the Hammond have all come back and purists swear that synths and plugin software just don't cover the harmonic complexity and dynamics of those analog instruments. Don't get me started on the finicky ARP Axxe, lol!
Keep it up Keith! You could give me the short history of a shoelace and I'd watch! Hammond B3 next!
Thank you Keith, for more core education on the seminal instruments used in making the greatest popular music in modern history. Any guitarist of a certain age who is really into classic tones has to admit that, while made by an entirely different instrument, the sound of a Rhodes is without question one of the most pleasing and recognizable tones ever made.
As a guitarist I have to agree whole hearted on this. So many songs I love have a Rhodes piano in it. '70's, '80's had some awesome music for us
@@mikewithers299, a Rhodes, or a Hammond B3/Leslie combo, or a Clavinet (especially in the hands of Stevie Wonder).
@goodun2974 oh yea the clavinet. I thing the song was "Superstitious"
Another excellent history lesson Keith. As a guitar player ive always love songs in the '70's & '80's that had a Fender Rhodes in them. This brought back so many musical memories for me.
Thanks so much for telling the story of this famous instrument - I had no idea of the origins 😊
Iconic sound from the 70's along with the Mello
As a Beetles fan from day one, I was always intrigued by the Mellotron that John played in the movie Help!
Fast forward about 3 decades and I’m working at Interscope Records in IT support. I get a call to go up to Jimmy Iovine’s office to do some work on a new Mac that he recently purchased.
As I enter the office, Jimmy is on the phone and he motions me in. I start staring around everywhere, because there’s freaking memorabilia everywhere!
Over on one wall is a picture I’ve seen somewhere before. It’s John and Jimmy shoulder to shoulder on the roof of the Dakota in NYC.
I cross the room to get a better view and to look at some other pics on the wall, and that’s when I spot it!
It was actually right below the picture of the two of them, the same Mellotron from the movie. Apparently, John gifted it to Jimmy sometime around when they worked together on Double Fantasy.
So, there’s one more guy who got my life! :)
The other iconic keyboard sound of the 1970s (though it was also used in the 60s) is Stevie Wonder playing his Clavinet on Higher Ground, Superstition, You Ain't Done Nothin' , and others.