Lori Partridge: Unsung Prog Rock Hero

 

Lori Partridge unsung prog rock hero? Absoulutely. When we think of amazing keyboard players from that era, who comes to mind? Keith Emerson (ELP), Rick Wakeman (Yes) Daryl Dragon (Captain & Tennille) but, for some reason, Lori is largely forgotten.  

Sure, she never got to play twenty minute classical music solos at mach-speed (Keith Emerson) or got to wear a super groovy cape (Rick Wakeman) or make her keyboard sound like love mad muskrats (Daryl Dragon) but she had chops. Check out her harpsichord break on "I think I Love You". Do you need more evidence than that?

Emerson, Wakeman & Dragon

Unfortunatley, Lori was over-shadowed by her ego-maniacal brother, Keith, and her overbearing Mother.  After the Partridge's broke up, I thought she might join King Crimson or start her own prog-rock band (The Lori Partridge Experience, perhaps) but, alas, it was not to be.

Instead she joined a law firm in L.A and her hair turned yellow. A sad ending to a once promising career.

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