Michael Pinnella (born August 29, 1969) is an American keyboard player, most notably for the band Symphony X. Michael is one of two Symphony X members to appear on all nine of the band's albums (the other being Michael Romeo).

Michael Pinnella
Pinnella performing in Novara, 2007
Pinnella performing in Novara, 2007
Background information
Birth nameMichael Pinnella
Born (1969-08-29) August 29, 1969 (age 55)
Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey, U.S.
GenresProgressive metal, neoclassical metal, power metal
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter
Instrument(s)Keyboards, piano, backing vocals
Years active1994–present

He has released two solo albums, titled Enter By the Twelfth Gate (2004)[1] and Ascension (2014),[2] mostly composed of instrumental, classical-styled progressive metal.

In 2016, Pinnella ranked #11 in Loudwire's Top 25 Rock + Metal Keyboardists of All Time,[3] praised for being an "essential component of Symphony X’s overarching epic nature".

Biography

edit

Pinnella was born in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey and was encouraged since childhood to follow music. When he was four years old, he started taking piano lessons.[1] He was heavily influenced by classic composers like Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, and Bach.

When he was about 11 years old, he started to practice more seriously. Later in his youth, he was impressed by Yngwie Malmsteen and asked his parents to buy him a keyboard.[1] When he got into college, he studied piano performance, theory and composition, and other musical courses. Other influences came from progressive/metal bands from the 1970s (Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath) and from the 1980s (DIO, Ozzy Osbourne).[1]

When Pinnella finished college, he started teaching piano in a music store. One of the fellow teachers at the store was friends with Michael Romeo from Symphony X. In 1994, he was hired by the band as a keyboardist.[1][4]

Pinnella's nephew, Chris Pinnella, is a vocalist who worked with Trans-Siberian Orchestra.[5]

Equipment

edit
 
Michael Pinnella with Symphony X live at Wacken Open Air 2016

Pinnella uses the following equipment:

Discography

edit

With Symphony X

edit

With Michael Romeo

edit

Solo

edit

With Mike LePond's Silent Assassins

edit

As a guest

edit

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d e "-=Symphony X-Official Website=-". July 21, 2011. Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  2. ^ Michael Pinnella - Ascension, retrieved February 5, 2023
  3. ^ DiVita, Joe. "Top 25 Rock + Metal Keyboardists of All Time". Loudwire. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  4. ^ "Michael Romeo Interview – A Perfect Symphony Part One: 1970's to 2000. | All Out Guitar | Magazine Archive". March 19, 2016. Archived from the original on March 19, 2016. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  5. ^ Rabinowitz, Chloe. "Chris Pinnella, Chloe Lowery and 8-Piece Orchestra Set for Save Our Stages Concert". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
edit