RMI Electra 368x

2010-06-18

Rocky Mount Instruments or RMI was a subsidiary of the Allen Organ Company, based in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. It is most famous for the RMI Electra-Piano and Harpsichord, a keyboard instrument that created piano and harpsichord-like sounds without the use of strings, tines, or reeds.

Beginning in 1970, RMI began producing the 300 Series Electra-piano, the sound of which became very familiar to fans of bands such as Yes and Genesis who used the instrument extensively. Famous users include Don Preston (Mothers of Invention), Rick Wakeman (Yes and various solo efforts), Tony Banks (Genesis), Stevie Wonder, Ray Manzarek (the Doors) and Ron Mael (Sparks).