Michael Pinnella
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| Michael Pinnella | |
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 Michael Pinella playing live in Novara, Italy in June 2007 |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Michael Pinnella |
| Born | August 29, 1969 Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Genres | Progressive metal Classical |
| Occupations | Musician, songwriter |
| Instruments | Keyboards, piano |
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Associated acts | Symphony X |
Michael Pinnella (born August 29, 1969) is a keyboard player, most notably for the band Symphony X. He has also released a solo album, a mixture of classical and progressive-styled music titled Enter By the Twelfth Gate on the InsideOut Music label in 2004. Michael is one of two Symphony X members to appear on all eight of the band's albums (the other being Michael Romeo).
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[edit] Biography
Pinnella was born in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey and was encouraged since childhood to follow music. When he was 4 years old, he started taking piano lessons. 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. 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) and from the 1980s (Black Sabbath, DIO, Ozzy Osbourne).
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.
He is currently working at the Guitar Center in East Brunswick, NJ when not touring or recording. He is a Christian and also plays piano in his church.[1]
Pinnella is now living in Milltown, NJ. He is married and has three kids in middle and high school.
Pinnella's nephew, Chris Pinnella, is a vocalist for the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
[edit] Equipment
Pinnella uses the following equipment:
- Yamaha Motif ES7
- Roland JV2080 and Roland A33
- Korg Trinity and O1/W
- Akai S3000
Pinnella was also seen using a Roland JP8000 analog modelling synth during the European leg of the 2007 tour.
[edit] Discography
| Year | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Enter By the Twelfth Gate | Studio |
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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