RIP Keith Emerson
March 11, 2016 12:23 PM Subscribe
Keith Emerson, Emerson, Lake and Palmer Keyboardist, Dead at 71 [Rolling Stone obit] "Keith was a gentle soul whose love for music and passion for his performance as a keyboard player will remain unmatched for many years to come," Carl Palmer says of ELP bandmate
2016 is becoming truly exhausting.
2016 is becoming truly exhausting.
Damn, damn, damn, this year just keeps piling on. Farewell to a great player and possibly an even greater showman. RIP Keith.
posted by Ber at 12:29 PM on March 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by Ber at 12:29 PM on March 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
Ars Longa Vita Brevis, nice guy.
posted by klangklangston at 12:31 PM on March 11, 2016 [5 favorites]
posted by klangklangston at 12:31 PM on March 11, 2016 [5 favorites]
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posted by doctor_negative at 12:32 PM on March 11, 2016
posted by doctor_negative at 12:32 PM on March 11, 2016
The Hendrix of the Moog, perhaps the most iconic keyboard player of my generation.
This one is just devastating me.
RIP, Keith, and say hi to Boob Moog for me. Thank you for everything.
•
posted by dbiedny at 12:34 PM on March 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
This one is just devastating me.
RIP, Keith, and say hi to Boob Moog for me. Thank you for everything.
•
posted by dbiedny at 12:34 PM on March 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
I hope there will be a Viking funeral where he laid out under a pile of upright pianos and set aflame to Tocatta and Fugue.
posted by kokaku at 12:34 PM on March 11, 2016 [20 favorites]
posted by kokaku at 12:34 PM on March 11, 2016 [20 favorites]
Followed by a rousing rendition of Jerusalem.
posted by kokaku at 12:35 PM on March 11, 2016 [7 favorites]
posted by kokaku at 12:35 PM on March 11, 2016 [7 favorites]
.
He was always such a huge obsession of mine, from the cassettes the provided the soundtrack to my teenage lawnmowing gigs to my current hobby of synths and organs.
posted by sourwookie at 12:35 PM on March 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
He was always such a huge obsession of mine, from the cassettes the provided the soundtrack to my teenage lawnmowing gigs to my current hobby of synths and organs.
posted by sourwookie at 12:35 PM on March 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
.
I continued to love ELP, as I have for the past four decades.
posted by bearwife at 12:36 PM on March 11, 2016
I continued to love ELP, as I have for the past four decades.
posted by bearwife at 12:36 PM on March 11, 2016
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I loved ELP when I was in high school. So, so much.
Off to fire up "Fanfare for the Common Man".
posted by suelac at 12:39 PM on March 11, 2016 [7 favorites]
I loved ELP when I was in high school. So, so much.
Off to fire up "Fanfare for the Common Man".
posted by suelac at 12:39 PM on March 11, 2016 [7 favorites]
We have an annual Day of the Dead dinner and play music by musicians who have died during the past year. What a long list this time around.
posted by exogenous at 12:43 PM on March 11, 2016 [9 favorites]
posted by exogenous at 12:43 PM on March 11, 2016 [9 favorites]
🎹
posted by NordyneDefenceDynamics at 12:49 PM on March 11, 2016 [7 favorites]
posted by NordyneDefenceDynamics at 12:49 PM on March 11, 2016 [7 favorites]
.
ELP was my first "arena" concert in the mid 70's. Saw them again (well, Emerson Berry and Powell) in a small Boulder club in the late 80's. Got to see the Moog "blown up" both times!
posted by cosmac at 12:50 PM on March 11, 2016 [4 favorites]
ELP was my first "arena" concert in the mid 70's. Saw them again (well, Emerson Berry and Powell) in a small Boulder club in the late 80's. Got to see the Moog "blown up" both times!
posted by cosmac at 12:50 PM on March 11, 2016 [4 favorites]
damn. this year is just brutal...
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posted by supermedusa at 12:50 PM on March 11, 2016 [3 favorites]
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posted by supermedusa at 12:50 PM on March 11, 2016 [3 favorites]
.
posted by Going To Maine at 12:51 PM on March 11, 2016
posted by Going To Maine at 12:51 PM on March 11, 2016
I saw ELP only once. They were playing at the university arena, but the entire state was being pummeled by nasty storms and their plane was late getting in, so the concert was delayed for over two hours. When they finally arrived, the show was utterly perfunctory and phoned-in. Very much a "get it over and get out" affair. Nonetheless, I can say I got to see ELP.
Goddamn 2016.
.
posted by Thorzdad at 12:55 PM on March 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
Goddamn 2016.
.
posted by Thorzdad at 12:55 PM on March 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
I hope there will be a Viking funeral where he laid out under a pile of upright pianos and set aflame to Tocatta and Fugue.
well put.
Mr. Emerson always struck me as a fearsome warrior first, artist second. He had no peer when it came to straight out annihilating the frequencies with his various keyboards and devices. Yet his passing brings to mind a superhero cliche (or should I say, super villain). If only he could have used his talents for good, not evil.
Not that there was anything evil per say about Emerson Lake + Palmer, just way too much talent mucking around getting in music's way. If only that H.E.L.P. rumor was actually true. If only it had actually happened.
I mean, imagine Tocatta with Jimi weighing in, going head to head with all those organs and synths.
posted by philip-random at 12:56 PM on March 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
well put.
Mr. Emerson always struck me as a fearsome warrior first, artist second. He had no peer when it came to straight out annihilating the frequencies with his various keyboards and devices. Yet his passing brings to mind a superhero cliche (or should I say, super villain). If only he could have used his talents for good, not evil.
Not that there was anything evil per say about Emerson Lake + Palmer, just way too much talent mucking around getting in music's way. If only that H.E.L.P. rumor was actually true. If only it had actually happened.
I mean, imagine Tocatta with Jimi weighing in, going head to head with all those organs and synths.
posted by philip-random at 12:56 PM on March 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
A crazy number of musicians/others dropping in the 69-71 year zone. That is too damn young.
posted by C.A.S. at 12:56 PM on March 11, 2016 [5 favorites]
posted by C.A.S. at 12:56 PM on March 11, 2016 [5 favorites]
Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends!
The Giger Brain Salad Surgery album cover may be the most beautiful album cover ever.
posted by bukvich at 12:58 PM on March 11, 2016 [10 favorites]
The Giger Brain Salad Surgery album cover may be the most beautiful album cover ever.
posted by bukvich at 12:58 PM on March 11, 2016 [10 favorites]
.
What an amazing musician.
(and it seems like my comment history is going to be a lot of dots for the time being)
posted by jabo at 1:11 PM on March 11, 2016
What an amazing musician.
(and it seems like my comment history is going to be a lot of dots for the time being)
posted by jabo at 1:11 PM on March 11, 2016
2016: The year all the artists died returned to their home planets before God Emperor Trump banned art.
posted by enjoymoreradio at 1:14 PM on March 11, 2016 [9 favorites]
posted by enjoymoreradio at 1:14 PM on March 11, 2016 [9 favorites]
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posted by jefflowrey at 1:14 PM on March 11, 2016
posted by jefflowrey at 1:14 PM on March 11, 2016
Giger is one of my favorite artists and I completely discovered him via the Brain Salad Surgery cover when I was maybe 18??? mind blowing!! the music, the art. so amazing!!!
posted by supermedusa at 1:16 PM on March 11, 2016
posted by supermedusa at 1:16 PM on March 11, 2016
Mr. Emerson always struck me as a fearsome warrior first
The finest in all of Rome!
Godspeed, Mr Emerson.
posted by Jon Mitchell at 1:23 PM on March 11, 2016 [3 favorites]
The finest in all of Rome!
Godspeed, Mr Emerson.
posted by Jon Mitchell at 1:23 PM on March 11, 2016 [3 favorites]
Tarkus!
I went looking for a unicode dagger to add to the keyboard icon but alas. I saw him live pretty early on and was actually more perplexed when he stabbed his cute little organ. Then did not notice too much for a long time and then a flying piano just seemed a bit stunty.
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posted by sammyo at 1:23 PM on March 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
I went looking for a unicode dagger to add to the keyboard icon but alas. I saw him live pretty early on and was actually more perplexed when he stabbed his cute little organ. Then did not notice too much for a long time and then a flying piano just seemed a bit stunty.
.
posted by sammyo at 1:23 PM on March 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
I was introduced to their music in my late teens by the song Touch and Go. Epic stuff.
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posted by Mooski at 1:25 PM on March 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
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posted by Mooski at 1:25 PM on March 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
.
somebody lied. they told me this show never ends.
emoji dagger: đź—ˇ
posted by oneswellfoop at 1:25 PM on March 11, 2016 [3 favorites]
somebody lied. they told me this show never ends.
emoji dagger: đź—ˇ
posted by oneswellfoop at 1:25 PM on March 11, 2016 [3 favorites]
.
posted by ridgerunner at 1:30 PM on March 11, 2016
posted by ridgerunner at 1:30 PM on March 11, 2016
youtube of the flying spinning piano bit
posted by bukvich at 1:32 PM on March 11, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by bukvich at 1:32 PM on March 11, 2016 [3 favorites]
One of my fondest memories from my horrible first year of college was listening to Lucky Man on the radio in my roommate's ancient beat-up old Toyota. I had this totally hapless closeted-freshman-dyke crush on her, of the sort where everything she listened to became The Correct Thing to listen to at a particular moment. And at this particular moment she was grinning and alternating between singing along and talking good-natured shit about how the moog solo at the end was SO UNNECESSARILY EPIC. "Like, mellow guitar chords, nice little story, anticlimactic death, BAM! KEITH FUCKING EMERSON ROCKING OUT ON THE KEYBOARDS."
For me, now, that UNNECESSARILY EPIC moog solo will always be the sound of heaven opening up to receive a fortunate soul.
posted by nebulawindphone at 1:39 PM on March 11, 2016 [17 favorites]
For me, now, that UNNECESSARILY EPIC moog solo will always be the sound of heaven opening up to receive a fortunate soul.
posted by nebulawindphone at 1:39 PM on March 11, 2016 [17 favorites]
Er, not to imply that any "gates of heaven" ended up opening up for me and my freshman roommate ifyouknowwhatimean. THEY MOST CERTAINLY (AND TRAGICALLY) DID NOT, though we're still friends and she still won't stop hinting that she might be bi.
Just, you know, RIP Keith, thank you for a really happy moment during a really shitty year, hope that if anything comes next it feels like that moog solo sounded.
posted by nebulawindphone at 1:44 PM on March 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
Just, you know, RIP Keith, thank you for a really happy moment during a really shitty year, hope that if anything comes next it feels like that moog solo sounded.
posted by nebulawindphone at 1:44 PM on March 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
This year has been like watching the rapture in slow motion.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 1:46 PM on March 11, 2016 [4 favorites]
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 1:46 PM on March 11, 2016 [4 favorites]
.
From the Beginning, just the best. On a proper stereo system sublime, "With a distinctive closing synthesizer solo from Keith Emerson."
posted by WinstonJulia at 1:50 PM on March 11, 2016 [5 favorites]
From the Beginning, just the best. On a proper stereo system sublime, "With a distinctive closing synthesizer solo from Keith Emerson."
posted by WinstonJulia at 1:50 PM on March 11, 2016 [5 favorites]
Before ELP he was in The Nice. I worked on one of their shows. The Nice played the Fillmore East, December 20, 1069, with the Byrds and the Sons of Champlin. I was the Sons' roadie.
Got the t-shirt, but I sold it 45 years later for $400.
posted by Repack Rider at 1:52 PM on March 11, 2016 [6 favorites]
Got the t-shirt, but I sold it 45 years later for $400.
posted by Repack Rider at 1:52 PM on March 11, 2016 [6 favorites]
.
I had the honor to shoot a magazine cover interview with him in the 80s and hang out at his manor house, at the local country pub and in the barn where he kept his giant keyboard setup. He was a fantastic guy and treated me and the journalist like old friends the whole time.
posted by w0mbat at 1:52 PM on March 11, 2016 [5 favorites]
I had the honor to shoot a magazine cover interview with him in the 80s and hang out at his manor house, at the local country pub and in the barn where he kept his giant keyboard setup. He was a fantastic guy and treated me and the journalist like old friends the whole time.
posted by w0mbat at 1:52 PM on March 11, 2016 [5 favorites]
Grew up in a land where bars only hired bands that played country (AND western!). Heard groups like the Nice and ELP on late night "underground" radio when KAAY Little Rock boosted their signal after 11pm and signal reached far enough north. Bought a bass. Did everything to get Greg Lakes wonderful roundwound tone. Stayed home sick from school if there was a part I wanted to learn. I'd lay down the needle at the beginning of long prog rock classics like Close To The Edge, Thick As A Brick or Tarkus, play along, not coming up for air till the end of the side, hammering all day long till my fingers bled a bit, still in my pajamas, practicing an awkward Beatles bow at the end. Took a year off between HS and college. Answered an ad and drove 300 miles to audition with a prog rock band. They started me with some easy Stones covers, punished me with Roundabout and then the keyboard looked at me sideways, diddled at his Korg and launched into "Hoedown." I nailed it. And at 18 I got to tour places far beyond the confines of a rural Iowa town.
I will be forever grateful to Mr. Emerson for paving my road out of a small town and into the world. And no wonder my fingers hurt, the keyboard player informed me I was playing Keith's Moog parts on my bass.
.
posted by hal9k at 2:00 PM on March 11, 2016 [21 favorites]
I will be forever grateful to Mr. Emerson for paving my road out of a small town and into the world. And no wonder my fingers hurt, the keyboard player informed me I was playing Keith's Moog parts on my bass.
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posted by hal9k at 2:00 PM on March 11, 2016 [21 favorites]
The Nice played the Fillmore East, December 20, 1069
Damn. Keith was older than I thought.
posted by Thorzdad at 2:14 PM on March 11, 2016 [5 favorites]
Damn. Keith was older than I thought.
posted by Thorzdad at 2:14 PM on March 11, 2016 [5 favorites]
Thorzdad, that explains the Viking funeral!!!
posted by supermedusa at 2:18 PM on March 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by supermedusa at 2:18 PM on March 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
the endless enigma, parts 3 - 450945890 ....
posted by pyramid termite at 2:30 PM on March 11, 2016
posted by pyramid termite at 2:30 PM on March 11, 2016
.
posted by ogooglebar at 2:35 PM on March 11, 2016
posted by ogooglebar at 2:35 PM on March 11, 2016
Cause of death was a surprise to me.
If you're thinking of ending your own life, please talk to the people you love and trust first, okay?
posted by infinitewindow at 2:54 PM on March 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
If you're thinking of ending your own life, please talk to the people you love and trust first, okay?
posted by infinitewindow at 2:54 PM on March 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
"The Hendrix of the Moog, perhaps the most iconic keyboard player of my generation."
I find that an interesting comparison, especially since the guitar on the first couple Nice albums was significantly influenced by Hendrix, but I think of Emerson's style as really, really different — Hendrix went through layers of distortion, and pushed the guitar to make sounds that it wasn't supposed to make; Emerson seems to have stretched the limits of keyboards, but my expanding the sounds that they were capable of making cleanly. Oversimplification, but Hendrix got genius when he was breaking the guitar; Emerson when he was elevating the keyboard.
But today I've discovered that I'm old enough to sit around listening to ELP in the middle of the day without being stoned out of my gourd.
posted by klangklangston at 2:55 PM on March 11, 2016 [6 favorites]
I find that an interesting comparison, especially since the guitar on the first couple Nice albums was significantly influenced by Hendrix, but I think of Emerson's style as really, really different — Hendrix went through layers of distortion, and pushed the guitar to make sounds that it wasn't supposed to make; Emerson seems to have stretched the limits of keyboards, but my expanding the sounds that they were capable of making cleanly. Oversimplification, but Hendrix got genius when he was breaking the guitar; Emerson when he was elevating the keyboard.
But today I've discovered that I'm old enough to sit around listening to ELP in the middle of the day without being stoned out of my gourd.
posted by klangklangston at 2:55 PM on March 11, 2016 [6 favorites]
.
posted by spinifex23 at 2:58 PM on March 11, 2016
posted by spinifex23 at 2:58 PM on March 11, 2016
Emerson Lake and Palmer were mind-blowing for a while, and Emerson's chops were both inspiring and intimidating, to say nothing of the bat-winged Moog monster.
However, before that, I was one of The Nice's few US-based fans (ditto, The Move).
Here are some highlights:
America (Live on TV)
This clip is the only live performance available in color, apparently. There's a couple minutes of talking in German before they get started. Davey O'List is here, channeling Hendrix as usual. If you've heard that Keith used knives to hold down keys, you'll get to see it here. Lemmy Kilminster was a Nice roadie -- that is to say, he was a roadie for The Nice -- in those days and it was Lemmy who supplied the knives.
Afterwards there's an awkward polyglot interview with Keith and Lee Jackson about the performance. Keith Emerson always liked to call The Nice's take on Bernstein's America "the first instrumental protest song". I'm constrained, especially now, to take him at his word.
The only words are a recitation at the end, delivered here by Lee Jackson, but on the record by a child, reputedly, singer P.P. Arnold's son: "America, pregnant with promise and anticipation, is murdered by the hand of the inevitable." Leonard Bernstein was not amused.
Careful listeners will notice that the introductory fanfare was provided by Dvorak -- a lift from his Symphony #9, From the New World -- in other words, America. Nice.
Karelia Suite (Live on TV)
Davey O'List left right after "America", so they're down to a trio. Lee demonstrates his arco technique on the bass guitar. Quite a bit more melodic than Jimmy Page, though a bit squeaky.
Hang On to A Dream (Live on TV)
A cover of a song written by folk singer Tim Hardin, played here with both classical and jazz influences. Another trio perfomance, more extended techniques. Keith plucks the piano strings, Lee plays with a bow again, Blinky has his whole kit there, but only plays triangle and tambourine on this.
My Back Pages (Live recording from the Elegy LP)
A twisted cover of the Bob Dylan song. Keith plays the first half on piano, the second on the organ. There are six verses of course, and Lee chooses to just start at the beginning and sing the first three. At least that's what I think he's singing.
The Five Bridges Suite (part 1) (part 2)
This is a totally crazy, overreaching, immature, under-rehearsed and very odd patchwork piece of music, which is probably why I love it.
1st Bridge - Fantasia for orchestra and solo piano
2nd Bridge – Rock organ trio with Lee Jackson's lyrics
3rd Bridge - "Chorale": Lee Jackson sings with the orchestra; jazzy piano interludes
4th Bridge - "High Level Fugue": piano solo
5th Bridge - "Finale": reprise of 2nd Bridge, with a horn septet
It was written on commission for the Newcastle Arts Festival in 1969. Lee Jackson's lyrics 'celebrate' the Five Bridges across the River Tyne at Newcastle and other cultural aspects of his hometown.
The horn septet near the end includes sometime Anthony Braxton and Dave Holland sideman Kenny Wheeler, and features a nice trombone solo by the ubiquitous Chris Pyne .
Finally, some rare Keith Emerson vocals from The Nice's syke-a-delic days:
The Flying Piano trick at the California Jam (1974).
Greg Lake discusses the Flying Piano
I imagine by the time I post this, someone else will have linked to it but I want to tell this story. I saw ELP at, I believe, the second show of the tour with the 40-piece orchestra, each instrument individually mic'ed. They played Emerson's "Piano Concerto #1" from the Works album and when they were done, to the cheering audience Keith says, "Thank you. Thank you very much. [one, two . . . turns back to the mic.] Sorry it doesn't spin 'round."
Nothing succeeds like excess, eh, Keith?
Miss you.
.
posted by Herodios at 3:03 PM on March 11, 2016 [17 favorites]
However, before that, I was one of The Nice's few US-based fans (ditto, The Move).
Here are some highlights:
America (Live on TV)
This clip is the only live performance available in color, apparently. There's a couple minutes of talking in German before they get started. Davey O'List is here, channeling Hendrix as usual. If you've heard that Keith used knives to hold down keys, you'll get to see it here. Lemmy Kilminster was a Nice roadie -- that is to say, he was a roadie for The Nice -- in those days and it was Lemmy who supplied the knives.
Afterwards there's an awkward polyglot interview with Keith and Lee Jackson about the performance. Keith Emerson always liked to call The Nice's take on Bernstein's America "the first instrumental protest song". I'm constrained, especially now, to take him at his word.
The only words are a recitation at the end, delivered here by Lee Jackson, but on the record by a child, reputedly, singer P.P. Arnold's son: "America, pregnant with promise and anticipation, is murdered by the hand of the inevitable." Leonard Bernstein was not amused.
Careful listeners will notice that the introductory fanfare was provided by Dvorak -- a lift from his Symphony #9, From the New World -- in other words, America. Nice.
Karelia Suite (Live on TV)
Davey O'List left right after "America", so they're down to a trio. Lee demonstrates his arco technique on the bass guitar. Quite a bit more melodic than Jimmy Page, though a bit squeaky.
Hang On to A Dream (Live on TV)
A cover of a song written by folk singer Tim Hardin, played here with both classical and jazz influences. Another trio perfomance, more extended techniques. Keith plucks the piano strings, Lee plays with a bow again, Blinky has his whole kit there, but only plays triangle and tambourine on this.
My Back Pages (Live recording from the Elegy LP)
A twisted cover of the Bob Dylan song. Keith plays the first half on piano, the second on the organ. There are six verses of course, and Lee chooses to just start at the beginning and sing the first three. At least that's what I think he's singing.
The Five Bridges Suite (part 1) (part 2)
This is a totally crazy, overreaching, immature, under-rehearsed and very odd patchwork piece of music, which is probably why I love it.
1st Bridge - Fantasia for orchestra and solo piano
2nd Bridge – Rock organ trio with Lee Jackson's lyrics
3rd Bridge - "Chorale": Lee Jackson sings with the orchestra; jazzy piano interludes
4th Bridge - "High Level Fugue": piano solo
5th Bridge - "Finale": reprise of 2nd Bridge, with a horn septet
It was written on commission for the Newcastle Arts Festival in 1969. Lee Jackson's lyrics 'celebrate' the Five Bridges across the River Tyne at Newcastle and other cultural aspects of his hometown.
Five bridges cross the TyneA career highlight for Jackson, but Emerson went on to bigger, better, and louder things.
And the city sits close by
Some go north and some go south
But each one seems to cry
It's no use complaining 'bout th' dutty ae
Cuz there's nothing much else to breathe
It's no good shouting from nine to five
If you haven't got the guts to leave . . .
The horn septet near the end includes sometime Anthony Braxton and Dave Holland sideman Kenny Wheeler, and features a nice trombone solo by the ubiquitous Chris Pyne .
Finally, some rare Keith Emerson vocals from The Nice's syke-a-delic days:
The Flying Piano trick at the California Jam (1974).
Greg Lake discusses the Flying Piano
I imagine by the time I post this, someone else will have linked to it but I want to tell this story. I saw ELP at, I believe, the second show of the tour with the 40-piece orchestra, each instrument individually mic'ed. They played Emerson's "Piano Concerto #1" from the Works album and when they were done, to the cheering audience Keith says, "Thank you. Thank you very much. [one, two . . . turns back to the mic.] Sorry it doesn't spin 'round."
Nothing succeeds like excess, eh, Keith?
Miss you.
.
posted by Herodios at 3:03 PM on March 11, 2016 [17 favorites]
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posted by Slithy_Tove at 3:08 PM on March 11, 2016
posted by Slithy_Tove at 3:08 PM on March 11, 2016
Another part of my adolescence falls away into the sea....
I'd also like to apologize to the English teacher who had to read the Very Serious essay I wrote when I was 14 which quoted big parts of Karn Evil 9 (NO COMPUTER STANDS IN MY WAY! ONLY BLOOD WILL CANCEL MY PAIN!)
posted by jokeefe at 3:33 PM on March 11, 2016 [5 favorites]
I'd also like to apologize to the English teacher who had to read the Very Serious essay I wrote when I was 14 which quoted big parts of Karn Evil 9 (NO COMPUTER STANDS IN MY WAY! ONLY BLOOD WILL CANCEL MY PAIN!)
posted by jokeefe at 3:33 PM on March 11, 2016 [5 favorites]
When SCTV parodied Emerson (and his ilk) in this audition montage
posted by stevil at 3:34 PM on March 11, 2016 [5 favorites]
posted by stevil at 3:34 PM on March 11, 2016 [5 favorites]
.
posted by Karmadillo at 3:34 PM on March 11, 2016
posted by Karmadillo at 3:34 PM on March 11, 2016
If you're thinking of ending your own life, please talk to the people you love and trust first, okay?
TMZ reports that he was suffering a degenerative nerve condition in his hands which would force him to stop playing. I won't judge.
posted by jokeefe at 3:34 PM on March 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
Not judging either, jokeefe. He may have discussed this with friends and family. They're not saying at the moment.
It's likely he would not have been a candidate for legal assisted suicide (all US jurisdictions require a terminal diagnosis of six months or less to live). And the proximate cause of death suggests a lonely, sudden decision rather than a peaceful, planned winding down.
Basically death and pain suck.
posted by infinitewindow at 4:11 PM on March 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
It's likely he would not have been a candidate for legal assisted suicide (all US jurisdictions require a terminal diagnosis of six months or less to live). And the proximate cause of death suggests a lonely, sudden decision rather than a peaceful, planned winding down.
Basically death and pain suck.
posted by infinitewindow at 4:11 PM on March 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
A friend recently loaned me a real analog synth. He said at the time I can now play Lucky Man. I wish now I really could... Thanks for all the music.
.
posted by njohnson23 at 4:14 PM on March 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
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posted by njohnson23 at 4:14 PM on March 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
I idolized his music when I was a young'un, and after reading the police blotter I realized I had parked across the street from his place, on a modest and pleasant street, many times. I would have loved to have run into him and thanked him for introducing me to the sound of a Hammond organ fed into a rotating Leslie cabinet. RIP.
posted by zippy at 4:29 PM on March 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by zippy at 4:29 PM on March 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis. Requiescat in pace.
posted by ob1quixote at 4:35 PM on March 11, 2016
posted by ob1quixote at 4:35 PM on March 11, 2016
.
posted by Joey Michaels at 5:02 PM on March 11, 2016
posted by Joey Michaels at 5:02 PM on March 11, 2016
Emerson also did some scoring work, including the Sly Stallone film "Nighthawks".
posted by dbiedny at 5:07 PM on March 11, 2016
posted by dbiedny at 5:07 PM on March 11, 2016
I was visiting relatives in Ohio when two historic events occurred and were broadcast live on TV: the 1969 moon landing and ELP's appearance at the California Jam festival. I didn't have to explain anything to my aunt & uncle about the moon landing, but Keith Emerson's equipment required a full play-by-play.
I was also one of the few fans who preferred Karn Evil 9's 3rd Impression to the "Welcome back my friends" part. I don't know how much of it was Emerson's design, but I recall it as the first time I heard an audible synthesized 'computer voice' of the type which has since become cliche. And the final lyrical exchange was a haunting depiction of "the computer's ultimate victory over man" (additional props to Greg Lake and Peter Sinfeld).
But I gave you life!
What else could you do?
To do what was right!
I'm perfect. Are you?
posted by oneswellfoop at 5:19 PM on March 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
I was also one of the few fans who preferred Karn Evil 9's 3rd Impression to the "Welcome back my friends" part. I don't know how much of it was Emerson's design, but I recall it as the first time I heard an audible synthesized 'computer voice' of the type which has since become cliche. And the final lyrical exchange was a haunting depiction of "the computer's ultimate victory over man" (additional props to Greg Lake and Peter Sinfeld).
But I gave you life!
What else could you do?
To do what was right!
I'm perfect. Are you?
posted by oneswellfoop at 5:19 PM on March 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
.
posted by mondo dentro at 5:33 PM on March 11, 2016
posted by mondo dentro at 5:33 PM on March 11, 2016
ELP The Manticore Special 1973 World Tour
posted by philip-random at 5:43 PM on March 11, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by philip-random at 5:43 PM on March 11, 2016 [3 favorites]
As a keyboard player, this stings.
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posted by Purposeful Grimace at 5:50 PM on March 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
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posted by Purposeful Grimace at 5:50 PM on March 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
I'd also like to apologize to the English teacher who had to read the Very Serious essay I wrote when I was 14 which quoted big parts of Karn Evil 9 (NO COMPUTER STANDS IN MY WAY! ONLY BLOOD WILL CANCEL MY PAIN!)
Along with a friend, I wrote the whole of that out on a huge blackboard in one of the labs in my high school. From memory. I can't recall how long it was up there before being erased---maybe a couple of days.
ELP was the first rock concert I attended: nose bleed seats at Madison Square Garden, $5.50 each, printed on that light purple stock. I almost didn't make it---the city was paralyzed by an ice storm the night before. I'll never forget it!
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posted by Insert Clever Name Here at 6:05 PM on March 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
Along with a friend, I wrote the whole of that out on a huge blackboard in one of the labs in my high school. From memory. I can't recall how long it was up there before being erased---maybe a couple of days.
ELP was the first rock concert I attended: nose bleed seats at Madison Square Garden, $5.50 each, printed on that light purple stock. I almost didn't make it---the city was paralyzed by an ice storm the night before. I'll never forget it!
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posted by Insert Clever Name Here at 6:05 PM on March 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
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Loads the EmersonSquare patch into a virtual Minimoog, in memory
posted by acb at 6:28 PM on March 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
Loads the EmersonSquare patch into a virtual Minimoog, in memory
posted by acb at 6:28 PM on March 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
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I heard the first ELP album in high school. I played piano by then for ten years but gave it up (for two weeks, as it turned out). Saw them live at the Boston Garden in 1974 and I'm still high from it. I'm going to go now and listen to Brain Salad Surgery. No one call me for at least two weeks, I'll be in bed. 2016 sucks.
posted by Seekerofsplendor at 6:32 PM on March 11, 2016
I heard the first ELP album in high school. I played piano by then for ten years but gave it up (for two weeks, as it turned out). Saw them live at the Boston Garden in 1974 and I'm still high from it. I'm going to go now and listen to Brain Salad Surgery. No one call me for at least two weeks, I'll be in bed. 2016 sucks.
posted by Seekerofsplendor at 6:32 PM on March 11, 2016
I've always loved "Fanfare for the Common Man", but it was years before I knew who it was by.
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posted by 43rdAnd9th at 6:36 PM on March 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
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posted by 43rdAnd9th at 6:36 PM on March 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
Mr. Emerson always struck me as a fearsome warrior first, artist second.
You're not altogether wrong. There's a very interesting backstory as to why Keith Emerson got into smashing keyboards.
Q: How did you develop your aggressive stage persona that would become your trademark with the Nice and ELP?
The whole thing about the organ routine came when I was with a band called the VIPs. We were playing in Hamburg, Germany. The band members had befriended the professional ladies there. I kept to myself, though; I was still very naive, and I didn't want any part of that. The main hooker—her name was Bloody Mary, a very nice lady—saw how I was feeling, so she gave me a Quaalude and said, "This will cheer you up, darling." I took it, and I was awake for three nights. I offered to drive the band all the way through Germany to the next gig in France. During the course of that drive I crashed the vehicle, almost ruining all the instruments. We ended up playing this club somewhere in a vineyard. All the farmers there were getting really drunk. This fight broke out. I was watching it and going, "Yeah, this is great! Go for it!" I started smashing the organ. The reverberation unit was crashing, so I got on top of it and started going completely nuts. The next thing I realized the was that fight had stopped in the audience and they were all looking at me, going, "What the fuck?"
tl;dr Keith Emerson started bashing keyboards in order to avoid getting bashed by his audience.
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posted by jonp72 at 6:47 PM on March 11, 2016 [6 favorites]
You're not altogether wrong. There's a very interesting backstory as to why Keith Emerson got into smashing keyboards.
Q: How did you develop your aggressive stage persona that would become your trademark with the Nice and ELP?
The whole thing about the organ routine came when I was with a band called the VIPs. We were playing in Hamburg, Germany. The band members had befriended the professional ladies there. I kept to myself, though; I was still very naive, and I didn't want any part of that. The main hooker—her name was Bloody Mary, a very nice lady—saw how I was feeling, so she gave me a Quaalude and said, "This will cheer you up, darling." I took it, and I was awake for three nights. I offered to drive the band all the way through Germany to the next gig in France. During the course of that drive I crashed the vehicle, almost ruining all the instruments. We ended up playing this club somewhere in a vineyard. All the farmers there were getting really drunk. This fight broke out. I was watching it and going, "Yeah, this is great! Go for it!" I started smashing the organ. The reverberation unit was crashing, so I got on top of it and started going completely nuts. The next thing I realized the was that fight had stopped in the audience and they were all looking at me, going, "What the fuck?"
tl;dr Keith Emerson started bashing keyboards in order to avoid getting bashed by his audience.
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posted by jonp72 at 6:47 PM on March 11, 2016 [6 favorites]
Seriously, I blame hearing "Lucky Man" on WMMR as a kid for turning my brain on to the power of electronic sound. There's a direct connection between Emerson's epic Moog Modular solo on that song to the equally epic, if much more raw Minimoog solo on DEVO's "Mongoloid".
posted by SansPoint at 6:59 PM on March 11, 2016 [5 favorites]
posted by SansPoint at 6:59 PM on March 11, 2016 [5 favorites]
Seriously, I blame hearing "Lucky Man" on WMMR as a kid for turning my brain on to the power of electronic sound.
In my case, it led directly to a "what is that!?" moment. To which someone said, "It's a synthesizer." To which I said, "What's a synthesizer?" To which he said, "It's some kind of an organ thing, I think."
The story behind Lucky Man is a good one ... written by Greg Lake when he was twelve, almost not even recorded by the band, but the first album was running a bit short in running length, so what the hell, Lake mucked around with it in the studio, eventually impressing Emerson enough to try some stuff at the end with his recently purchased Moog, which was all recorded in one take.
posted by philip-random at 7:20 PM on March 11, 2016 [3 favorites]
In my case, it led directly to a "what is that!?" moment. To which someone said, "It's a synthesizer." To which I said, "What's a synthesizer?" To which he said, "It's some kind of an organ thing, I think."
The story behind Lucky Man is a good one ... written by Greg Lake when he was twelve, almost not even recorded by the band, but the first album was running a bit short in running length, so what the hell, Lake mucked around with it in the studio, eventually impressing Emerson enough to try some stuff at the end with his recently purchased Moog, which was all recorded in one take.
posted by philip-random at 7:20 PM on March 11, 2016 [3 favorites]
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posted by homunculus at 7:29 PM on March 11, 2016
posted by homunculus at 7:29 PM on March 11, 2016
One of my fondest memories from my horrible first year of college was listening to Lucky Man on the radio . . . the moog solo at the end was SO UNNECESSARILY EPIC.
I blame hearing "Lucky Man" on WMMR as a kid for turning my brain on to the power of electronic sound. There's a direct connection between Emerson's epic Moog Modular solo on that song to the equally epic, if much more raw Minimoog solo on DEVO's "Mongoloid".
"Lucky Man" is a very silly song, which Greg Lake says he wrote when he was twelve. The synth solo is Emerson's sole contribution to it; if I recall the story correctly, he wasn't even present for the recording of the other tracks and it had effectively been mixed down already. He just plopped that solo onto a pretty much finished record.
But it functioned as a sort of calling card for the next phase of his career; not only does it come seemingly out of nowhere on the record, Emerson hadn't previously recorded or performed with a synthesizer at all.
Still, "Lucky Man" was a very odd thing to hear on the radio in an era of very odd things on the radio.
Fortunately, I had been prepared for the assault of the Manticore by the earlier attack of "The Minotaur".
posted by Herodios at 7:31 PM on March 11, 2016
I blame hearing "Lucky Man" on WMMR as a kid for turning my brain on to the power of electronic sound. There's a direct connection between Emerson's epic Moog Modular solo on that song to the equally epic, if much more raw Minimoog solo on DEVO's "Mongoloid".
"Lucky Man" is a very silly song, which Greg Lake says he wrote when he was twelve. The synth solo is Emerson's sole contribution to it; if I recall the story correctly, he wasn't even present for the recording of the other tracks and it had effectively been mixed down already. He just plopped that solo onto a pretty much finished record.
But it functioned as a sort of calling card for the next phase of his career; not only does it come seemingly out of nowhere on the record, Emerson hadn't previously recorded or performed with a synthesizer at all.
Still, "Lucky Man" was a very odd thing to hear on the radio in an era of very odd things on the radio.
Fortunately, I had been prepared for the assault of the Manticore by the earlier attack of "The Minotaur".
posted by Herodios at 7:31 PM on March 11, 2016
This hits me far harder than Bowie, because I listened to ELP much more. Pirates. The Piano Concerto. Pictures at an Exhibition. Jerusalem. Nutrocker.
I was a total classical music nerd in HS and college, and ELP was the first band that really connected classical music and rock. And I'm forever grateful.
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posted by lhauser at 7:53 PM on March 11, 2016 [6 favorites]
I was a total classical music nerd in HS and college, and ELP was the first band that really connected classical music and rock. And I'm forever grateful.
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posted by lhauser at 7:53 PM on March 11, 2016 [6 favorites]
BSS and Works Vol 1 were played to death by me as a teen. Sad day.
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posted by parki at 8:04 PM on March 11, 2016
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posted by parki at 8:04 PM on March 11, 2016
Very obsessed with ELP when I was young. The rise of punk, the fall of prog, and Lester Bangs dissing the extravagance made me feel pretty conflicted. But Keith bashing those keyboards was also kinda punk in a way, I dunno? Last year got a worn replacement for the epic triple live album, and through all of the over-the-top excess, Keith had a feel for a good strong melody. Swell bass synth solo in the middle of Karn Evil 9. Also: seeing scenes from 'Watership Down' and 'Lord of Rings' played in my imagination while listening to ELP instrumental passages. Youth.
posted by ovvl at 8:12 PM on March 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by ovvl at 8:12 PM on March 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
Here's Keith Emerson playing with Gary Farr and the T-Bones, live on TV somewhere in 1966.
Around the four minute mark, you can hear the Emerson organ soloing style in its embryonic form.
The dapper southpaw on first bass is the aforementioned Lee Jackson, who went on to back PP Arnold and found The Nice with Keith Emerson.
That's David Langston aka Cyrano of Cyrano and the Bergeracs on guitar. He wrote songs with Roger Daltrey and played guitar on John Entwistle's solo albums.
Trombonist Chris Barber still plays 'trad' jazz around the UK. He helped launched Lonnie Donnegan's career, which started the 'skiffle band' movement. So you could say, no Chris Barber, no Lonnie Donegan. No Lonnie Donegan, no Beatles.
posted by Herodios at 8:13 PM on March 11, 2016
Around the four minute mark, you can hear the Emerson organ soloing style in its embryonic form.
The dapper southpaw on first bass is the aforementioned Lee Jackson, who went on to back PP Arnold and found The Nice with Keith Emerson.
That's David Langston aka Cyrano of Cyrano and the Bergeracs on guitar. He wrote songs with Roger Daltrey and played guitar on John Entwistle's solo albums.
Trombonist Chris Barber still plays 'trad' jazz around the UK. He helped launched Lonnie Donnegan's career, which started the 'skiffle band' movement. So you could say, no Chris Barber, no Lonnie Donegan. No Lonnie Donegan, no Beatles.
posted by Herodios at 8:13 PM on March 11, 2016
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posted by charred husk at 8:54 PM on March 11, 2016
posted by charred husk at 8:54 PM on March 11, 2016
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Another of the greats has passed. And since Nobody's linked his score for Final Wars yet, here 'tis
posted by Trinity-Gehenna at 9:26 PM on March 11, 2016
Another of the greats has passed. And since Nobody's linked his score for Final Wars yet, here 'tis
posted by Trinity-Gehenna at 9:26 PM on March 11, 2016
I was just looking up Keith Emerson to post a video on my friend's facebook feed. His > 1-year-old son has started playing their keyboard and he's shoving it like Emerson used to. So of course I googled Keith Emerson, and he's dead.
So don't ever ask me to google you. I don't want to find out you died earlier that day.
RIP Keith. You provided me with some very hazy memories of college dorm rooms.
posted by not_on_display at 10:04 PM on March 11, 2016 [4 favorites]
So don't ever ask me to google you. I don't want to find out you died earlier that day.
RIP Keith. You provided me with some very hazy memories of college dorm rooms.
posted by not_on_display at 10:04 PM on March 11, 2016 [4 favorites]
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I reviewed an ELP concert near the end of their Brain Salad Surgery tour. Great sound, and Emerson’s on-stage set-up made him look like the ultimate musical mad scientist. Because I had my girlfriend’s little brother in tow I never made it backstage, but a few months earlier, in the same arena, Rick Wakeman had said to me, "Oh, if I only had a left hand like Keith Emerson’s."
posted by LeLiLo at 11:28 PM on March 11, 2016 [4 favorites]
I reviewed an ELP concert near the end of their Brain Salad Surgery tour. Great sound, and Emerson’s on-stage set-up made him look like the ultimate musical mad scientist. Because I had my girlfriend’s little brother in tow I never made it backstage, but a few months earlier, in the same arena, Rick Wakeman had said to me, "Oh, if I only had a left hand like Keith Emerson’s."
posted by LeLiLo at 11:28 PM on March 11, 2016 [4 favorites]
I don't know what to say. I will miss him very much.
Thanks for the great music, Mr. Emerson.
posted by pattern juggler at 12:37 AM on March 12, 2016 [1 favorite]
Thanks for the great music, Mr. Emerson.
posted by pattern juggler at 12:37 AM on March 12, 2016 [1 favorite]
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posted by heatvision at 3:00 AM on March 12, 2016
posted by heatvision at 3:00 AM on March 12, 2016
Welcome Back, My Friends, to the Show That Never Ends...
RIP keyboard guy. Thanks for providing the soundtrack to my undergrad days
posted by james33 at 3:05 AM on March 12, 2016 [1 favorite]
RIP keyboard guy. Thanks for providing the soundtrack to my undergrad days
posted by james33 at 3:05 AM on March 12, 2016 [1 favorite]
Thanks for the great music, Mr. Emerson.
posted by pattern juggler
Somehow I would have taken you for more of a Crimson fan.
posted by Herodios at 5:07 AM on March 12, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by pattern juggler
Somehow I would have taken you for more of a Crimson fan.
posted by Herodios at 5:07 AM on March 12, 2016 [1 favorite]
This is sad news. ELP were my favourite band when I was a child and I still think that his Hammond organ sound on their first few albums has never been matched... it's true that he took that old adage about good taste being the enemy of creativity maybe a bit too literally - who else would casually throw the 'Mission Impossible' theme into the middle of a Bob Dylan cover or little Rogers-and-Hammerstein runs into Bartok or 'Blue Peter' into Aaron Copeland- but he always seemed to be having such a good time that it was hard to hold it against him, ultimately. Hugely inspirational figure.
Anyway, it's your fault, Keith, that I now have to drag a 500-pound organ and a ton of amplification with me every time I move, and that I don't regret the back pain in the least.
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posted by remembrancer at 5:41 AM on March 12, 2016 [3 favorites]
Anyway, it's your fault, Keith, that I now have to drag a 500-pound organ and a ton of amplification with me every time I move, and that I don't regret the back pain in the least.
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posted by remembrancer at 5:41 AM on March 12, 2016 [3 favorites]
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posted by kinnakeet at 7:24 AM on March 12, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by kinnakeet at 7:24 AM on March 12, 2016 [1 favorite]
Thank you Trinity-Gehenna for the Final Wars link. Wow, it sounds like an Argento soundtrack!
Rest in peace, Keith! I, too would love to see kokaku's vision of a viking funeral SO much.
posted by cleroy at 10:33 AM on March 12, 2016
Rest in peace, Keith! I, too would love to see kokaku's vision of a viking funeral SO much.
posted by cleroy at 10:33 AM on March 12, 2016
Thanks for inspiring the late Mr.Nerd, and complementing him on the work he'd done to Zimmer's Moog.
Never underestimate how much it kills your soul to no longer being able to do what you love to do in life.
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posted by luckynerd at 11:11 AM on March 12, 2016
Never underestimate how much it kills your soul to no longer being able to do what you love to do in life.
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posted by luckynerd at 11:11 AM on March 12, 2016
This Christmas we had a dozen or so friends over. After a huge meal and nearly too many drinks I pulled out Tarkus and went on about how great and weird that album cover is though no one else had ever heard of ELP let alone that album.
Whenever we have company over now they ask if I am going to again cry tears of joy over an armadillo/tank. Thank you, Keith.
posted by munchingzombie at 11:30 AM on March 12, 2016 [2 favorites]
Whenever we have company over now they ask if I am going to again cry tears of joy over an armadillo/tank. Thank you, Keith.
posted by munchingzombie at 11:30 AM on March 12, 2016 [2 favorites]
ELP is representative of a whole genre of music that seems, at least to these ears, to have disappeared. Or has it? Need edumacatin'.
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posted by telstar at 3:15 PM on March 12, 2016 [1 favorite]
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posted by telstar at 3:15 PM on March 12, 2016 [1 favorite]
This seems like a good time to revisit Prog Spring, Dave Weigel’s brief history of / love letter to prog rock, as it features ELP rather prominently:
- The Man Who Murdered His Keyboard
- “Some of the Best Harpsichord Rock I Have Yet Heard”: The Rise of Prog
- Prog Comes Alive! Emerson Lake & Palmer At Madison Square Garden, 1973
- The Ur-Text of Prog Rock Excess
- Apotheosis of the Necromancer: Where Prog Lives Now
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posted by grumpybear69 at 12:24 PM on March 11, 2016