Classic Keys: Keyboard Sounds That Launched Rock Music

Easily the best vintage keyboards book yet published (which, I know, isn't saying much as there aren't very many to begin with). "Vintage Synthesizers" and "Beauty in the 'B'" are awesome, but I'm afraid Classic Keys has just upped the ante.The book's focus is on twelve of the most iconic keyboards of the 1960s and 1970s, with coverage of a number of related keyboards (for example, the Mellotron chapter also covers the Optigan, the Birotron and the Orchestron). There's an entire chapter for each of the twelve, plus a "bonus" chapter on Japanese keyboards, such as AceTone, and a final chapter on collecting keyboards.The first three chapters are historical, covering the evolution of the standard keyboard, the piano, organ, harpsichord and others, as well as development of the equally-tempered scale. History like that may seem boring to some, but it's all very well-written, and the focus keeps coming back to how these historical events and developments led up to the birth of the twelve featured keyboards and their use in rock music. So if you're strictly into 60s/70s vintage keyboards, you'll still enjoy reading about their ancestors.There are LOTS of photos, including many historical ones of people and events, as well as vintage literature. But the most outstanding are the clear, beautiful, professionally-done photos of the featured keyboards plus several related ones (i.e., the Vox Continental chapter includes photos of the Continental II and Jaguar, each of which gets a full-page photo). I think every chapter contains at least one two-page spread of the featured keyboard.There's plenty of coverage of all the little "details" that collectors and vintage gear enthusiasts seem to delight in (like the reason the "VOX" badge on many US/UK continentals appear gold while their Italian counterparts still appear chrome), but the coverage isn't completely exhaustive (so you won't get exhausted reading it!).The research is extensive, with lots of little-known facts. They must have interviewed a LOT of people, including many involved with the development and production of the original instruments. I've spent a fair amount of time researching combo organs myself over the last 20 years, and there were things in this book I had never run across.Alan and David have done an outstanding job, and are to be highly-commended for their efforts. Many thanks, guys!

I bought the hard cover version. The book was bigger than I expected. The photos are excellent quality, there are lots of them, the paper stock is very good quality. I have some guitar books made out of nice paper stock with excellent photos, and I have to say it is about damn time we had a keyboard book with similar quality. The book "Prophet of Silicon Valley" started this trend, this book elevates it to another level.I shared my dad's passion with trains; when he passed away I inherited his collection of over 1000 long-out-of-print books on railroad history. Many are over fifty years old; books from that era were top quality which were constructed from hard cover and heavy paper optimized for photo reproduction. When I first held "Classic Keys" in my hand I recognized the same quality.From what little I have read so far, there was a LOT of research that went into the history of the instruments. Even well-read seasoned pros (like me) will find themselves saying "I did not know that" as they read along. While the subject matter is light on vintage synthesizers, there's plenty of other books for that."Classic Keys" fills in gaps long overlooked; electro-mechanical instruments (hohners, mellotrons, hammonds, rhodes, wurlitzers, electric grands, etc) and early electronic keyboards (RMI, combo organs, electronic pianos, K250, etc). Although many have long been out of production, the authors dug into factory records and interviewed artists, former employees, and dedicated enthusiasts on the history behind these instruments. The attention to detail is equal to those with hands-on experience with these classic keyboards. The assessment of the instruments are unashamedly honest; they discuss the pros as well as the cons, such as which era has better playing sound/action and cautions on locating replacement parts. For instance if you are shopping for a Rhodes piano with a particular sound in mind, this is a valuable resource.Well worth the money. Excellent resource and fascinating reading.

This book is the culmination of years of hard work by its authors and that dedication is evident throughout in the excellent writing and presentation. It's an absolute must read for any classic keys enthusiasts out there.For the last 30+ years, the majority of keyboard players know the terms "Rhodes", "Wurlitzer", "Clavinet", "Vox Continental" etc. as nothing more than sample patches on their keyboards or as "that sound" they can relate to across a variety of classic hits of the last 60+ years.Bar the lucky few, many of these players will never experience the original instruments in the flesh. In additon to this, many of the great artists that helped make these keyboards a success are no longer with us. We're left only with the beautiful music they created.Well this book helps bridge that gap and connect the sound to the real thing. If you have a young budding keyboardist in your family or circles, something like this book would make for a great present and give them so much more perspective on the sounds they are exploring.I had the pleasure of trying (unsuccessfully) to help the authors track down one individual they were trying to interview for the book. It gave me a very small glimpse into just how difficult such an endeavour like this can be.Hats off to Alan & David for the spectacular job they did.Cormac Long, EP-Forum

Having read through almost 3/4 of this book I found the details contained very interesting. I’m not an actual keyboard or piano player (bass & guitar are my main instruments) just dabble with chords etc but like many other instruments I enjoy reading the history behind there making, playing and of course recording which this book covers in quite detail

There are dozens of books on vintage guitars, but this is the first on vintage keyboards.Considering the impact the Rhodes, Wurlitzer, Hammond B3 etc had on the development of popular music in the 2nd half of the 20th C, this book is groundbreaking for specialist nerds like me.

Certainly its authoritative and has taken a long time to research. There is every possible detail on every part of each instrument to the point of being slightly silly - how the different types of wood finish were made and the employment history of the factories is a little beyond what I wanted to see.It repeats itself constantly like its trying to treat the reader like a young school kid.That being said, it is a mammoth tome and I will never have to look elsewhere for info on these few instruments.

A brilliant book for lovers of classic keyboards to dip or deep dive into. Well-researched, well-illustrated and well-written, it conveys the authors' enthusiasm for keyboards in an infectious manner. I now want to play all these keyboards, I want to buy and restore them, I want to cherish, preserve and hand them on for future generations to enjoy!

Great book. If you're into vintage keys you need a copy of this.