Derek Sherinian interview (excerpt)

What do you think (if anything) about the following keyboardists?

Kevin Moore - I learned some things covering his parts in Dream Theater. I think that he sounded great on those records, and it puzzles me why he left in the first place. His playing is soulful.

Jordan Rudess - Jordan's technique is amazing. Very nice guy.

Keith Emerson - He will always be the king of rock keyboards period. On a showmanship level, no one was cooler than Emerson in his early days.

Rick Wakeman - He was also very cool. Not as cool as Emerson (IMHO) but Wakeman was an influence on me when I was younger, but I haven’t heard any new music in awhile from him.

Tony Banks - Nice textures

Jonathan Cain - More of a songwriter, but writes good pop keyboard parts.

Jens Johanssen - Jens is the only keyboardist that strikes fear or envy in me. I was a fan of Jens when I was younger. You can hear the fire in his playing. Jens is great.

Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon) -  (?)

Alex Staropoli (Rhapsody) -  (?)

Michael Pinella (Symphony X) - (?)

You’re apparently very happy in all your recent work but, if you were invited back to DT, would you go? Any hard feelings?

I think that we all have been fired from a job in our life, or dumped by someone before, It is just a little more difficult when the WHOLE FUCKING WORLD is watching you get canned! :) I recently received a very friendly phone message from Mike Portnoy where he gave me my props for my post DT career moves. In retrospect DT helped me out to become a global keyboard name (god, that sounds pompous!), and I helped them out in a 4 year transition between Kevin Moore and Jordan. They are happier playing with Jordan, and I am happier playing with Steve Lukather and Simon Phillips, so everyone wins! If I would go back to DT is a pointless question because it is so hypothetical. If they were ever in any sort of bind, I would help them out if I could. I am too busy making records to have hard feelings.