Michael Pinnella

Michael Pinnella (born August 29, 1969) is a keyboard player, most notably for the band Symphony X. He has released two solo albums, titled Enter By the Twelfth Gate (2004) and Ascension (2014), of mostly instrumental, classical-styled progressive metal. 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
Background information
Birth nameMichael Pinnella
Born (1969-08-29) August 29, 1969
Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey, U.S.
GenresProgressive metal, neoclassical metal, power metal
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter
InstrumentsKeyboards, piano
Years active1994–present
Associated actsSymphony X

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

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. 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, Black Sabbath) and from the 1980s (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 in East Brunswick, NJ when not touring or recording.

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

Equipment

Pinnella uses the following equipment:

Discography
Year Title Type
2004 Enter By the Twelfth Gate Studio
2014 Ascension Studio

See also

References


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