Mike McKnight, Keyboardist / Programmer / Musical Director

The Keyboard Chronicles

You could spend an hour just digesting the breadth and depth of Mike McKnight’s career, but let’s just say he’s been the go-to guy for artists as diverse as Mariah Carey, Roger Waters and Madonna. That is just the tip of the iceberg….

To listen / watch:

1. Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or:
2. Video: watch the embedded video below or check it and previous episodes out on our YouTube Channel

Discussion topics covered during the show (links will open in new tab):

Mike’s musical upbringing

The Commodore 64 as music-making machine (and yes you can buy one now)

The Sequential Circuits Max for Commodore 64

Dr T’s Keyboard Controlled Sequencer for Commodore 64

The Atari 1040ST as used on the Madonna Blonde Ambition Tour 1990

The Emu Emax 2 Sampler

A short chat on Key Clique and Bo Tomlyn – here’s a great example of a DX7 sound bank

Joining Earth, Wind & Fire

Touring and recording with EWF

Joining Mariah Carey’s production team

Being ‘live’ versus putting on a show – the role of playback

Work with the Who on their orchestral tour

Working with Madonna between 1990 and 2004

Managing the technological challenges of a huge Madonna show

Getting the gig with U2 and needing to break it off

Working with Roger Waters over multiple tours

Motley Crue ‘Anywhere There’s Electricity’ tour

Mike takes questions from our Patreon supporters

Mike’s film & TV work

Helping set up Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band’s keyboard rig before The Rising tour.

The JL Cooper Synapse

Writing for Keyboard Magazine

Mariah Carey at Live 8

Tag a Keyboard Player: Greg Phillinganes

Desert Island Discs: Can’t Buy a Thrill – Steely Dan, Ray of Light – Madonna, i/0 – Peter Gabriel, Self-Titled – Amanda Marshall, Aja – Steely Dan.

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