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The Morning Show - With Jill Riley

Coffee Break: Rock star pianists

Tori Amos performs at SF Masonic Auditorium on July 26, 2023 in San Francisco, California.
Tori Amos performs at SF Masonic Auditorium on July 26, 2023 in San Francisco, California.Steve Jennings/Getty Images

by Jill Riley

August 22, 2023

One of the greatest artists to ever sit behind a piano — or between two — is undoubtedly Tori Amos. August 22 marks her 60th birthday, so it’s a great day to celebrate musicians who wield their pianos the way Jimi Hendrix wielded a guitar. (And we’re not talking keytars.)

You probably don’t need much more prompting than that to start to envision the artists who have brilliantly incorporated piano into some of rock ‘n’ roll’s most indelible moments. From Little Richard to Fiona Apple, Alicia Keys to Elton John, you get the idea.

For today’s 9:30 Coffee Break, which songs from rockers who play piano do you want to hear?


Respond with your song ideas in the comments below.

Have an idea for a Coffee Break topic? Submit your idea for a future theme and browse past Coffee Breaks in our archive.

Songs Played
Tori Amos - Silent All These Years
Elton John - Tiny Dancer 
Fiona Apple - Shameika
Ben Folds Five - Do It Anyway
Regina Spektor - Samson
Low Cut Connie - Boozophilia
Joe Jackson - Breaking Us In Two (bonus)