Roger O’Donnell is a long-serving member of The Cure, shaping their sound for coming up to 40 years (with a couple of breaks). Aside from that critical role, Roger formerly held down keys duties with The Psychedelic Furs, Thompson Twins and Berlin. Add to that his incredible solo output and you have a fascinating guest for the show. In Part 1 we cover off Roger’s early career, musical upbringing and his solo albums, finished off with a start on our discussion on The Cure.

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

Roger’s past year

The Cure – Songs From A Lost World

Roger’s new solo album – Projections

Roger’s new Rhodes Mk 8

The challenges of doing Atmos mixes

Roger O’Donnell – The Truth In Me

Roger O’Donnell – Songs From The Silver Box

The brilliance of the Rhodes Mk 8 in an album context

Roger O’Donnell – 7 Different Words for Love

The Una Corda piano

Roger’s work on the movie Sam & Kate

A brief time with Phillip Glass

Roger’s musical upbringing and being born next to the piano

Buying a Prophet 600 and joining The Thompson Twins

The move to LA and joining The Psychedelic Furs

Roger in action with The Psychedelic Furs in 1987

The Flirtations

Thompson Twins keyboard rig

Roger’s enormous Sequential Circuits-based keyboard rig with The Psychedelic Furs

Recording Disintegration with The Cure and the keyboards used

Adjusting playing style when joining The Cure

What makes the working relationship with Robert Smith successful

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The post Roger O’Donnell – The Cure / Psychedelic Furs / Solo Artist (Part 1) appeared first on The Keyboard Chronicles.