Roy Bittan
Piano Solo on
Backstreets

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Roy Bittan's piano solo opens "Backstreets" with one of the most memorable keyboard performances in rock music. His extended passage at 91 BPM in G features classical-influenced arpeggios and dramatic crescendos that establish the song's epic emotional scope before the vocal enters. At 25 to 26 years old, Bittan's ability to create a complete musical world with the piano alone sets the tone for this emotionally devastating track. The solo is the first of two instrumental passages on this recording, followed by Bruce Springsteen's searing electric guitar solo later in the arrangement.

Roy Bittan was 25 to 26 years old at the time.