ORANGE PARK – The show put on by “The Greatest Piano Men” wasn’t your typical piano recital. Part medley, part mash up, part stand-up comedy, the performance was a full-fledged rock concert...
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ORANGE PARK – The show put on by “The Greatest Piano Men” wasn’t your typical piano recital. Part medley, part mash up, part stand-up comedy, the performance was a full-fledged rock concert that paid respect to some of the greatest to ever lay their hands on the keys.
From Beethoven, Liberace, Stevie Wonder, to Billy Joel and many more, The Greatest Piano Men rocked out at the Thrasher-Horne last Friday, celebrating the world’s greatest pianists and showmen.
The performance opened with “The Greatest Piano Men” debuting a song for the first time. The audience at Thrasher-Horne was the first to ever hear it live, they said.
“We’re not going to convince you that we’re someone we’re not,” said Donnie Kehr, one of the four members of the musical group. Kehr prepared to take the audience through a journey through music history. “(We’ll) be listening to the same keys that inspired us,” Kehr said.
Kehr assumed the role of Billy Joel and performed a rendition of “Only the Good Die Young” on the piano with the same technical poise, accentuated by the same catchy saxophone solo. “Uptown Girl” had playful interplay between staccato and legato interpretations.
Bill Conners, one of the four members, assumed the swagger of Elton John and the crowd went wild for “Bennie and the Jets” and “Rocket Man.”
David Maiocco assumed the persona and elegance of Liberace as if he were alive and on stage. Liberace was known for whimsically mixing classical and pop music during renditions, and this was demonstrated during the performance.
Pete Peterkin, a finalist of “America’s Got Talent,” became Ray Charles when he slipped on the shades. “Hit the Road Jack” was a highlight, accentuated with another catchy sax solo.
Indeed, some of the greatest piano men really were on stage at Thrasher-Horne. The performance was a touching tribute to the artists who have inspired and shaped music to the sounds we enjoy today.