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Mike Garson has played piano and keyboards for seventy years. Best known as David Bowie’s keyboard player (no other musician has played more gigs with David Bowie), Mike’s career spans that amazing collaboration and so much more. In Part 2 of this interview (Part 1 is here), we talk to Mike a little more on David Bowie, then move onto his wider career in music, including his work with Smashing Pumpkins, Trent Reznor, the jazz ensemble Free Flight and a whole lot more. Mike also gives listeners / watchers a special improvisational treat at the end so do hang around!
To listen / watch:
- Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or:
- 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):
How David Bowie was on another level compared to other artists
David Bowie’s hand-drawn portrait of Mike
The impact of David Bowie’s death
Mike and Luke Spiller performing Moonage Daydream at the Sun Rose
Mike on the Adore tour with Smashing Pumpkins
Mike plays Gershwin’s Summertime at a Smashing Pumpkins gig
Discussing God with Billy Corgan and David Bowie
Working with Trent Reznor
Mike playing with Nine Inch Nails live
Watchmen Soundtrack – Trust in the Law
History with Free Flight
Free Flight on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson
Mike and his work in music therapy
The Physician and the Musician live
Most challenging gigs
Teaching piano and advice for students
Discussion on Mike’s movement, ‘Now Music’
Turning down gigs with Frank Sinatra, Buddy Rich, Sarah Vaughan
Mike plays an interpretation of Space Oddity
Mike’s go-to keyboards
Tag a keyboard player: Nil
Mike plays ‘My Romance’
Mick Ronson’s advice on becming a full-time studio player
A very special improvisation from Mike
Desert Island Discs: Aladdin Sane – David Bowie, The Goldberg Variations – Glenn Gould, any Mozart requiem, any Verdi requiem, Sunday at the Village Vanguard – Bill Evans (Don’t forget to check out all our guest’s selections on this page)
Thanks to our supporters for this episode: Brother Paul Brown, Midnight Mastering, Tammy Katchur’s Musical Stew, Musicplayer.com forums, and Radio Grande
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