The keytar. It’s the totally rad, hybrid musical instrument of the 80s.

The first thing that typically comes to mind when hearing the word “keytar” is retro 80s, neon colors, synth-pop and new wave music. But did you know some of the first musicians to sport the keytar were jazz musicians? Well, silly me, I didn’t until I started doing some research! I just automatically assumed if you were rocking this bitchin hybrid musical instrument, you were playing 80s music.

I have always been a fan of the keytar. To this day I totally freak out when I see one out in the wild.

I remember seeing this guy once on a girl’s trip with my mom to Monterey, CA!

But back to a quick recap of when the keytar was invented and its rise in fame throughout the 80s. Although there were various instruments similar in structure dating all the way back to 1795, the keytar wasn’t invented until 1979 by George Mattson. And back then, he called it the “Syntar.” What made this instrument unique to its predecessors was that it was a keyboard with a self-contained synthesizer. So basically an “all-in-one” instrument that allows keyboardists mobility when performing on stage.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s the keytar took to the scene, in different styles. Most of these were personally co-developed by various musicians. The most famous being Jon Hammer (Miami Vice). During this time is when jazz musician Herbie Hancock also took to the stage with the keytar.

Throughout the 80s the keytar was a staple to the electronic music scene. Along with the synth-pop and new wave genre, the keytar was found in the glam rock genre too. The most popular band to rock the keytar was DEVO. Newly learned fun fact: the band only used the keytar as a prop in their videos and didn’t record or perform with it.

DEVO

So, which artists played this totally rad musical instrument back in the day? Maybe more (or less) than perhaps you thought. I personally thought there were way more. But I suppose that’s just how I’ve fantasized about my life in the 80s. Anyway, here are a few of the greats:

  • Herbie Hancock
  • Prince (invented his own version in ’94)
  • A-Ha
  • Yes
  • Led Zepplin
  • Chicago
  • Phish
  • Weird Al
  • Donnie Osmond

While some of these artists/band members might still be playing the keytar today, here are some artists that absolutely are (and were) in modern times:

  • Lady Gaga
  • Gorillaz
  • Muse
  • The Wiggles
  • Twenty One Pilots
  • will.i.am
  • Onewe (this one’s for you, Lisa Kay)
  • Keytar Bear

Even the gaming hardware company, Mad Catz brought the keytar to life for Rock Band 3 on Playstation and Xbox.

Rock Band 3 Keyboard

The question at hand is, should the keytar make a comeback? It seems to have a bigger following than expected. A lot of folks on YouTube seem to be skilled at playing this hybrid musical instrument. I, for one, would love to see it out in the wild more and would welcome a comeback of the keytar with open arms. Until then, jam on!

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