Keith Emerson of Emerson Lake and Palmer Dies

Ultimate Classic Rock ^ | 3/11/2016 | Nick DeRiso

[Borges]

Keith Emerson, the outsized co-founding keyboardist in Emerson Lake and Palmer has died. Long-time bandmate Carl Palmer’s publicist has posted a message that confirms Emerson’s passing last night (March 10) in Santa Monica, Calif. He was 71. “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,” Palmer said. “He was a pioneer and an innovator whose musical genius touched all of us in the worlds of rock, classical and jazz.”

[LS]

In my history of rock, written with Mark Stein (”You Keep Me Hangin’ On”) we researched KE-—was one of the few rockers whose primary influence was NOT the Beatles.

[EveningStar]

ping

[Hugin]

What a lucky man he was.

[newfreep]

I saw EL&P on their “Works” tour - included a small orchestra & choir.

GREAT show...and still love Karn Evil #9.

Full song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLS0Med0s6E

[Labyrinthos]

A lucky man he was not.

(A little black humor for one of my favorite artists — rest in peace.)

[FatherofFive]

He had white horses
And ladies by the score
All dressed in satin
And waiting by the door
Ooh, what a lucky man he was
White lace and feathers
They made up his bed
A gold covered mattress
On which he was laid
He went to fight wars
For his country and his king
Of his honor and his glory
The people would sing
A bullet had found him
His blood ran as he cried
No money could save him
So he laid down and he died

RIP

[TangledUpInBlue]

A wild, often self indulgent, incredibly talented keyboardist. I was fortunate enough to see him a few times. Even if I was really there for CP.

Keep it on a Knife Edge

[FreedomPoster]

Yes, I just heard that elsewhere. I saw ELP when they were touring in support of the Brain Salad Surgery LP; it was awesome stuff. He and Rick Wakeman of Yes were the two masters of keyboards in that era.

I’ve seen Greg Lake with an iteration of Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band in the last 8-10 years. He belted out Lucky Man and The Court of the Crimson King, still very much had it.

RIP Keith.

[Vermont Lt]

Damn. Just damn.

[luvbach1]

Cause? 71 not old these days.

[COBOL2Java]

Aw, damn. I went to an ELP concert in 72. Best one of my life.

[newfreep]

As an aside, Carl Palmer later joined Asia with former YES guitarist, the great Steve Howe.

[AppyPappy]

Rumor was that he was having issues with Carpal Tunnel. The official notice released about his death was kinda sketchy. Basically it was like “Leave the family alone”.

[hoagy62]

“Welcome back, my friends, to the show that never ends....”

Well, apparently, it does.

RIP Mr. Emerson

[Texan5]

I have never heard of carpal tunnel syndrome being fatal-just a repetitive motion injury of the wrist/hand, corrected with PT or surgery...

[OKSooner]

Sorry to hear that...

ELP were among my favorites back in the 8-track days...

[wagglebee]

In my history of rock, written with Mark Stein (”You Keep Me Hangin’ On”) we researched KE-—was one of the few rockers whose primary influence was NOT the Beatles.

I hadn't realized that, but it makes sense.

[Rusty0604]

I never saw them in concert but liked their music. We are losing quite a few musicians lately.

[Borges]

The Nice was certainly influenced by the breakthroughs the Beatles made on Revolver and Sgt Peppers.