The Keyboard Chronicles

The Keyboard Chronicles


Mike McKnight, Keyboardist / Programmer / Musical Director

January 26, 2025

You could spend an hour just digesting the breadth and depth of Mike McKnight’s career, but let’s just say he’s been the go-to guy for artists as diverse as Mariah Carey, Roger Waters and Madonna. That is just the tip of the iceberg….


To listen / watch:



  1. Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or:
  2. 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):  


Mike’s musical upbringing


The Commodore 64 as music-making machine (and yes you can buy one now)


The Sequential Circuits Max for Commodore 64


Dr T’s Keyboard Controlled Sequencer for Commodore 64


The Atari 1040ST as used on the Madonna Blonde Ambition Tour 1990


The Emu Emax 2 Sampler


A short chat on Key Clique and Bo Tomlyn – here’s a great example of a DX7 sound bank


Joining Earth, Wind & Fire


Touring and recording with EWF


Joining Mariah Carey’s production team


Being ‘live’ versus putting on a show – the role of playback


Work with the Who on their orchestral tour


Working with Madonna between 1990 and 2004


Managing the technological challenges of a huge Madonna show


Getting the gig with U2 and needing to break it off


Working with Roger Waters over multiple tours


Motley Crue ‘Anywhere There’s Electricity’ tour


Mike takes questions from our Patreon supporters


Mike’s film & TV work


Helping set up Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band’s keyboard rig before The Rising tour.


The JL Cooper Synapse


Writing for Keyboard Magazine 


Mariah Carey at Live 8


Tag a Keyboard Player: Greg Phillinganes


Desert Island Discs: Can’t Buy a Thrill – Steely Dan, Ray of Light – Madonna, i/0 – Peter Gabriel, Self-Titled – Amanda Marshall, Aja – Steely Dan.


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Check out our podcast guest playlist on Spotify to get a taste of each guest’s creations.

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