What's the differance between Piano Rockers and Keyboardists?

[Derek]

Tri, your Pink Floyd question got me to thinking about some stuff. Being an amature piano/keyboard player myself. I always wondered why there's a differance between artists like Elton John, Tori Amos, Billy Joel,etc and Keyboardists like Rick Wright, Dennis DeYoung and Ray Manzarek. I would consider all of them to be supreme keyboard artists. The only differance being that the latter three i mentioned were in bands. but if that is the only differance then i wouildnt say that's not much of one. But it just seems that alot of people throw them in differant catagories. Is there really a major differance between Piano Rockers and Keyboardist. Anything you can play on a piano can easily be played on a synth, i would think.

[mervap]

Technically, they both play keys, but the roles filled by each in a given band would be different. Generally, a piano player would play just piano parts, chord and rhythym....a keyboardist can be responsible for a wide variety of sounds in the overall mix. Also, pianos are percussion instruments....anyone else? :)

[Paperback Writer]

Mervap has the biggest reason: percussion.  Also, possibly, the tradition of Rock and Roll has had the piano involved - since it's inception.   

[TrllVl90]

I always considered piano in rock&roll to be a part of the rhythm section, rather than part of the melodic line. There are exceptions of course, but as with the bass and drums, I see piano get dropped to a mere "time-keeping" role rather than the awesome melodic enhancement and developer that it is and should be. (Another reason I don't much care for new music, all guitar and screaming; no melody).