Gary... So I guess that litany of great keyboard playing stars are all wrong, and YOU are right. What a relief! Now they can go back to hiding behind a mountain of gear...!
Personally, I do not think 'headliners' sit sideways because they want the audience to see their hands

... I think it just makes a better appearance for them ... I also think sitting behind a baby/full grand piano is different than sitting behind an arranger ... I saw Billy Joel a couple of times and when he was at the piano he sat 'sideways' but when he played a KB he stood behind it facing the audience ...