“My desire to push those buttons made them nervous”: Jordan Rudess had much to learn when he joined Dream Theater

Jordan Rudess says joining Dream Theater in 1999 transformed his life and required him to adapt his musical approach to the band. His interest in orchestration and layered sounds initially made his new bandmates nervous, but it broadened the group’s sound and helped shape the album *Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes From A Memory*.

Rudess had first turned down an invitation to join Dream Theater in 1994, choosing a part-time role with the Dixie Dregs to suit family life. He later played with guitarist John Petrucci and drummer Mike Portnoy in Liquid Tension Experiment, which helped make his full-time move to the band feel natural. His musical foundations include classical music and progressive rock acts such as Emerson, Lake & Palmer, King Crimson, Gentle Giant and Pink Floyd.