ELP was also my favorite band growing up. I've mentioned them before in this forum.
From a post I made here a while back ...
When Rand talked about Halley's missing 5th Concerto, I have always imagined it to be Keith Emerson's Piano Concerto No. 1 (from ELP's Works Vol 1.). There is a simple, up lifting melody that winds its way through the piece that is mostly carried by individual instruments which to me reinforced the importance of an individual's achievement against the backdrop of a supporting orchestra. This melody is then dropped into chaotic and dischordant movements, against which it fights and struggles until finally emerging as the dominant and heroic theme.

I'm glad to see Keith Emerson's passing being acknowledged on an Objectivist site. He was an outstanding musician, showman and composer. I consider his Piano Concerto No.1 (from ELP's 'Works Volume 1' album) to be his masterpiece-particularly its first movement. As for ELP, I think 'Brain Salad Surgery' is their album most worthy of mention: an absolute masterpiece of Progressive Rock, and my third favorite album after Yes' 'Close to the Edge' and Genesis 'Selling England by the Pound.'

Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends. Come inside, Come inside. RIP Keith.

I was a diehard ELP fan back in High School in the heyday. I even mentioned them in my personal statement in the graduating yearbook.

Tarkus is incredible.

Apparently he was suffering from a degenerative nerve condition in one hand. Watch Live in Moscow with Marc Bonilla. You can see it.

I can empathize with that circumstance. I had been playing guitar for 40 years when a herniated disc in the neck put an end to that for a year. The left hand lost much of its strength because of the nerve damage. However, fusing of 4 vertebrae by a talented neurosurgeon and about 95% of the use of the hand returned. But a year lost and somehow it just burned the creativity out of me. I can play, but just cannot seem to write anything new. Fortunately, it has not been my livelihood. It would be tough if it was. And for it to hit a major talent like that. Tough.

Emerson was one of the few Rock and Rollers that I respect. A very talented musician. As a sidebar, the model Hammond organ that he used hasn't been made in 30 years. But every organ player would give his eyeteeth in order to get one. Today, they'll try to buy one for any price even if they do not work. They are almost as valuable as a spare parts unit. Many other organ manufacturers, notably Lowrey have tried to get the Hammond sound but are not quite successful. I know a fellow who bought a Hammond of the correct model at a junk sale and sold it literally for 100 times what he paid for it. Anyhow, may the ground lay softly upon the remains of Keith Emerson and all the amazing pleasure we have derived from his talent.

Even I have some good memories of their work. I put Brahms on Hold and went to YouTube and listened to Fanfare as a tribute to Emerson.

Jan

my favorite song::: "Jerusalem" -- for the music!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CN11b...

my first wife and I went to see them in Little Rock
in '72, a huge auditorium, a sell-out crowd, a thick
"weed" smell in the air, thousands of Bic lighters
held high ... and Keith's super-wide refrigerator-size
synthesizer spewing fireworks ... they were good!

Thanks, guys -- Carl Palmer, Greg Lake, and Keith! -- j
.

He didn't just die, he chose to die.

Welcome back my friend to the show that never ends......Sorry to hear of his passing. Last month it was Paul Kantner one of my favorite song writers
allthough I hated his political views later in life.