EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER Keyboardist Keith Emerson Dies Aged 71
March 11th, 2016
Keith Emerson, co-founding keyboardist of English progressive rock supergroup Emerson, Lake & Palmer, passed away on March 11th, 2016 in Santa Monica, California at the age of 71. The Santa Monica Police Department revealed that Emerson had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer drummer Carl Palmer issued the following statement: “I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my good friend and brother-in-music, Keith Emerson. 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. He was a pioneer and an innovator whose musical genius touched all of us in the worlds of rock, classical and jazz. I will always remember his warm smile, good sense of humor, compelling showmanship, and dedication to his musical craft. I am very lucky to have known him and to have made the music we did, together. Rest in peace, Keith.”
Keith Noel Emerson was born on November 2nd, 1944 in Todmorden, Yorkshire, and came to prominence as a musician with the progressive rock band The Nice, whom he co-founded in 1967. The Nice released three studio albums The Thoughts Of Emerlist Davjack (1967), Ars Longa Vita Brevis (November 1968) and Nice (September 1969) before splitting in March 1970.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer was formed in 1970, consisting of Emerson, guitarist Greg Lake (formerly of King Crimson) and drummer Carl Palmer (ex-The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown). Following a performance at the Isle Of Wight festival on August 29th that year, the trio were signed by Ahmet Ertegun of Atlantic Records. A self-titled record arrived in November 1970, three LPs following in quick succession; Tarkus (June 1971), Trilogy (July 1972) and Brain Salad Surgery (November 1973). The latter included the track ‘Karn Evil 9’, which Emerson co-wrote.
The trio embarked on a brief hiatus to pursue solo projects, reuniting to issue Works Volume 1 (March 1977) and Works Volume 2 (November 1977), the pair of LPs being followed by Love Beach (November 1978) soon thereafter.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer disbanded in 1979. In 1985, Emerson, Lake & Powell was formed with former Rainbow and Jeff Beck member Cozy Powell stepping behind the drumkit. A lone, self-titled studio affair emerged in June 1986. Emerson and Palmer would work together once again for the project 3 in 1988, Robert Berry taking the position of vocalist, guitarist and bassist.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer reunited in 1991, with comeback record Black Moon emerging in June 1992. Ninth and final studio full-length In The Hot Seat surfaced in September 1994. Emerson, Lake & Palmer split yet again in the late 90s, reuniting for one final tour in 2010 which culminated in a swansong performance at London’s High Voltage festival in July 2010.
In addition to working within the Emerson, Lake & Palmer fold, Emerson also cut both solo albums as well as film scores, scores which included Dario Argento-directed 1980 horror movie Inferno and 1981 Sylvester Stallone-starring thriller Nighthawks.
