Showing posts with label Greg Lake. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Greg Lake. Show all posts

Thursday, December 08, 2016

Greg Lake remembered

Singer-bassist Greg Lake
Can 2016 get any worse in terms of legendary musicians lost? Today comes sad word that Greg Lake, the famed English musician recognized for his work with progressive rock troupes King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer (ELP) has died. He was only 69.


Greg Lake performing in England in 2005.
According to news reports, he died on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016 after a long-time battle with cancer. His death came nine months after the death of his bandmate Keith Emerson in March 2016.

Lake had been a leader on the prog-rock scene since he co-founded King Crimson with guitarist Robert Fripp in 1968. Lake played bass and was lead singer of that band. After he left King Crimson, Lake and the other members of ELP released a number of seminal albums including Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Trilogy, Tarkus and Brain Salad Surgery.

He also achieved fame as a solo artist, and scored a timeless hit with his original "I Believe In Father Christmas." Watch the embedded video below:



Drummer Carl Palmer posted the following statement about his bandmate earlier today:

"It is with great sadness that I must now say goodbye to my friend and fellow band-mate, Greg Lake.

"Greg's soaring voice and skill as a musician will be remembered by all who knew his music and recordings made with ELP and King Crimson. I have fond memories of those great years we had in the 19770s and many memorable shows we performed together.

"Having lost Keith this year as well, had made this particularly hard for all of us. As Greg sang at the end of Pictures At An Exhibition, 'death is life.' His music can now live forever in the harts of all who loved him."


Robert Kinsler


Saturday, March 12, 2016

Sights and Sounds: Keith Emerson remembered; Paul McCartney to tour; George Harrison-minded Fender electric guitar

Keith Emerson, left and Greg Lake. Photo: Neal Preston
The music community continues to mourn another rock 'n' roll legend. Just days after everyone reflected on the life of producer-composer George Martin, we learned that Emerson, Lake and Palmer (ELP) keyboardist Keith Emerson had died. He was only 71.


"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."
Carl Palmer
March 11, 2016

"To all ELP friends and fans all over the world, I would like to express my deep sadness upon hearing this tragic news. As you know Keith and I spent many of the best years of our lives together and to witness his life coming to an end in the way that it has is painful, both to myself and to all who knew him. 

As sad and tragic as Keith’s death is, I would not want this to be the lasting memory people take away with them. What I will always remember about Keith Emerson was his remarkable talent as a musician and composer and his gift and passion to entertain. Music was his life and despite some of the difficulties he encountered I am sure that the music he created will live on forever.

My deepest condolences go to Keith’s family. 

May he now be at peace."
Greg Lake
London - March 12, 2016

Sir Paul McCartney has announced he is embarking on a new tour, titled One On One. Check out writer George A. Paul's post on his Music Minded site for all the details, including announced tour dates and more information. You can view the post here.

While we are on the subject of former members of the Fab Four, Fender has announced the production of the George Harrison Tribute Rosewood Telecaster. Here is the media release:
Fender Custom Shop Announces
The George Harrison Tribute Rosewood Telecaster®
2016

Preserving the Legacy of George Harrison Through One of the Most Famous Guitars in Music History

Fender pays homage to what is arguably the most famous Telecaster in musical history, George Harrison’s Rosewood Telecaster, with a limited-run series of 100 guitars. Created with and fully supported by the Harrison family, Master Builder Paul Waller was given access to George’s original guitar from 1968 to examine, disassemble and reverse engineer for a truly accurate recreation. 

This was a challenging process since the original guitar, given away by George to Delaney Bramlett, had gone through a series of modifications over the years.  Through a meticulous process, Fender was able to create the guitar as it was in its glory days, before any of these changes were made.

George Harrison performing on the Abbey Road
Studios rooftop.
Documenting every detail step by step, Master Builder Paul Waller was able to re-create this guitar the right way – even closely matching the tight grain of the rosewood that was in the original. Each of these tribute models is as close as humanly possible to the guitar that George Harrison recorded the album Let It Be with, and played during the band’s final performance on the Abbey Road Studios rooftop.

The George Harrison Tribute Rosewood Telecaster features a very light version of the Custom Shop’s “Closet Classic” finish, to approximate the condition it would be in if someone had used it for a single recording session, and to play a single concert. The Harrison family felt that this would be the most genuine way to honor George, his fans and collectors.



Thursday, July 23, 2015

Sights and Sounds: Taste, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Greg Lake

There is plenty of exciting news to share with rock fans today...

Eagle Rock Entertainment set to issue the first-ever video release of Taste

'What's Going On  Live at the Isle of Wight 1970' coming to DVD, Blu-ray, 2LP, CD and digital formats on September 18, 2015

On September 18, 2015, Eagle Rock Entertainment will release What’s Going On – Live At The Isle Of Wight Festival 1970 by Taste.  This simultaneous release on DVD, Blu-ray, 2LP, CD, and Digital Formats represents the first-ever video release of this legendary performance. [MSRP $14.98 DVD, $19.98 Blu-ray, $13.98 CD, $34.98 2LP]
 
What’s Going On – Live At The Isle Of Wight Festival tells the story of Eire's seminal rock band Taste. Formed in Cork, Ireland in 1966 by Rory GallagherTaste had a brief but influential career, releasing two studio albums in 1969 and 1970 and disbanding shortly after their legendary appearance at the 1970 Isle Of Wight Festival -- the centerpiece of this film.
 
The core of What’s Going On is the band’s performance at the festival on August 28th. Encapsulated within a documentary on the history and importance of Taste, the film features contributions from Rory’s brother andTaste road manager Donal Gallagher along with Brian May (Queen), The Edge (U2), Bob Geldof and renowned guitarist Larry Coryell.
 
Taste’s performance at the festival was so well received that when Jimi Hendrix was asked “How does it feel to be the best guitarist in the world,” he replied, “I don’t know, why don’t you go and ask Rory Gallagher?”
 
The original 1970 footage was shot by Academy Award winning director Murray Lerner. The 16mm film has been restored and the sound remixed for this 2015 version of What’s Going On – Live At The Isle Of Wight Festival 1970, which includes all the tracks on the original 1971 Polydor LP plus several additional tracks.  Bonus features include three tracks from the German TV series Beat Club: “If The Day Was Any Longer”, “It’s Happened Before, It’ll Happen Again” and “Morning Sun”.  Additionally there are three conceptual music videos for the tracks “I’ll Remember,” “What’s Going On,” and “Born On The Wrong Side Of Time”. 
 
Rory Gallagher and Taste are also being celebrated with the I’ll Remember 4CD box set (Universal, August 28, 2015) which boasts remastered versions of their two acclaimed studio albums Taste and On The Boards, bonus tracks, and previously unreleased live concert recordings from Stockholm’s Konserthuset, The BBC and Woburn Abbey Festival, plus demos of both released and unreleased material.
 
Rory Gallagher would go on to enjoy an acclaimed and highly successful solo career.  Johnny Marr said, “The man who changed my musical life was Rory Gallagher, I picked up a guitar because of him.” 
 
The electrifying What’s Going On – Live At The Isle Of Wight Festival 1970 is an early example of Rory’s justified reputation as the ultimate live performer.
 
Click here to check out “What’s Going On”: https://youtu.be/mOo_Zi1W2iE
 
Eagle Rock Entertainment is the largest producer and distributor of music programming for DVD, Blu-Ray, TV and Digital Media in the world.  Eagle works directly alongside talent to produce top quality, High Definition programs, both concerts and documentaries, including The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, The Who, Queen, The Doors, Jeff Beck, Peter Gabriel, Paul McCartney, Ozzy Osbourne, Genesis, Alice Cooper, Eric Clapton and Aerosmith. Eagle is a Grammy Award winning company and has received over 40 multi-platinum, over 80 platinum and over 144 gold discs, worldwide.  Eagle Rock Entertainment has offices in London, New York, Paris and Hamburg.
 
Follow Eagle Rock Entertainment at:
 
 
TRACK LISTING DVD / Blu-Ray
1) What’s Going On  
2) Sugar Mama  
3) Morning Sun  
4) Gambling Blues 
5) Sinner Boy  
6) Same Old Story 
7) Catfish Blues  
8) I Feel So Good
 
TRACK LISTING CD / 2LP
1) What’s Going On  
2) Sugar Mama  
3) Morning Sun  
4) Gambling Blues  
5) Sinner Boy  
6) I’ll Remember  
7) I Feel So Good  
8) Catfish Blues  
9) Same Old Story  
10) Blister On The Moon




'LYNYRD SKYNYRD – ONE MORE FOR THE FANS' 
Two CD/DVD set available tomorrow, July 24, 2015

Features performances by Lynyrd Skynyrd, and an all star line-up including Trace Adkins, Alabama, Gregg Allman, Blackberry Smoke, Cheap Trick, Charlie Daniels, Peter Frampton, Gov't Mule, Warren Haynes, John Hiatt, Randy Houser, Jason Isbell, Jamey Johnson, Aaron Lewis, moe., O.A.R., Robert Randolph and Donnie Van Zant

Lynyrd Skynyrd One More For The Fans will be available tomorrow, July 24, 2105 on Loud & Proud Records in partnership with Blackbird Presents.  The two CD/DVD set was filmed during one special night last November as an extraordinary collection of artists came together at the historic Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA to perform and celebrate the songs of Lynyrd Skynyrd, one of the most influential bands of our time.  This unique concert event centered around performances by Lynyrd Skynyrd and features performances by music legends and young talent, culled from multiple genres including Classic Rock, Country and Americana with Trace Adkins, Alabama, Gregg Allman, Blackberry Smoke, Cheap Trick, Charlie Daniels, Peter Frampton, Gov’t Mule, Warren Haynes, John Hiatt, Randy Houser, Jason Isbell, Jamey Johnson, Aaron Lewis, moe., O.A.R., Robert Randolph and Donnie Van Zant all coming together to perform songs from Lynyrd Skynyrd’s extensive catalog of music.  Highlights include a special rendition of “Travelin’ Man” with Johnny Van Zant singing along with an archival video of his late brother, Ronnie performing, as well as a rousing rendition of “Sweet Home Alabama” with Skynyrd inviting the entire star-studded line-up up on stage to perform along side them.

Keith Wortman, creator and executive producer of the concert event, broadcast special and music release worked with Ken Levitan and Ross Schilling who also served as executive producers of the show. Don Was led the all-star house band as musical director for the evening.   

As part of the campaign to save the Fox Theatre from demolition, Lynyrd Skynyrd recorded their 1976 live album, One More From The Road, at the landmark theatre. The title Lynyrd Skynyrd - One More For The Fans! was inspired by that legendary album’s title.

Joining in the celebration of the legendary band was AXS TV as it served as the official broadcaster of Lynyrd Skynyrd - One More For The Fans. AXS TV premiered the entire concert event July 19, allowing fans nationwide to enjoy these remarkable performances. Leading up to broadcast though were a series of clip premieres through  Yahoo! Music, Classic Rock Revisited, Relix, Rolling Stone Country and Billboard.  Lynyrd Skynyrd also recently returned to the CMT Crossroads stage with Brantley Gilbert for a performance which aired on June 27, 2015. 

With a catalog of over 60 albums and sales beyond 30 million worldwide, Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Lynyrd Skynyrd remains a cultural icon that appeals to multiple generations. Lynyrd Skynyrd continues to build on the legacy that began over 40 years ago in Jacksonville, Florida.  Led by core members Gary Rossington (guitar)
Johnny Van Zant (vocals) and Rickey Medlocke (guitar), along with longtime drummer Michael Cartellone, the band also includes Mark "Sparky" Matejka (guitar), Johnny Colt (bass), Peter Keys (keyboards) and The Honkettes-Dale Krantz Rossington and Carol Chase-on background vocals.

Lynyrd Skynyrd be on the road this spring and summer (tour dates below) in select cities across the U.S. Click here to see the tour page on the official Lynyrd Skynyrd Web site.

“Lynyrd Skynyrd - One More For The Fans” Track Listing:
1. Whiskey Rock-A-Roller – performed by Randy Houser                
2. You Got That Right – performed by Robert Randolph & Jimmy Hall         
3. Saturday Night Special – performed by Aaron Lewis        
4. Workin’ For MCA – performed by Blackberry Smoke                    
5. Don't Ask Me No Questions – performed by O.A.R.  
6. Gimme Back My Bullets – performed by Cheap Trick
7. The Ballad of Curtis Loew – performed by moe. & John Hiatt
8. Simple Man – performed by Gov't Mule                 
9. That Smell – performed by Warren Haynes           
10.  Four Walls of Raiford – performed by Jamey Johnson              
11.  I Know A Little – performed by Jason Isbell  
12.  Call Me The Breeze – performed by Peter Frampton 
13.  What's Your Name – performed by Trace Adkins          
14.  Down South Jukin’ – performed by Charlie Daniels & Donnie Van Zant
15.  Gimme Three Steps – performed by Alabama                
16.  Tuesday's Gone – performed by Gregg Allman             
17.  Travelin’ Man – performed by Lynyrd Skynyrd With Johnny and Ronnie – Ronnie on big screen
18.  Free Bird - performed by Lynyrd Skynyrd
19.  Sweet Home Alabama – performed by Lynyrd Skynyrd and All-star ensemble

Follow Lynyrd Skynyrd On Social Media:


Greg Lake's Legendary 1981 Performance at the Hammersmith Odeon in London to be issued On CD & Vinyl

Purple Pyramid Records will be releasing legendary Greg Lake's live album from the Hammersmith Odeon in London, November 5, 1981, featuring guitar hero Gary Moore on CD & vinyl! The concert recording features ELP and King Crimson classic tracks such as “Lucky Man”, “Karn Evil 9”, “21st Century Schizoid Man” and “In The Court of The Crimson King”, as well as songs from his critically acclaimed first solo album from 1981. As a founding member of King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Greg Lake has been a major force in music for over 40 years. He has long been considered a legendary voice and musical powerhouse whose impact changed the landscape of rock and roll. Many simply refer to him as “The Voice”.

The Greg Lake Band made its live debut on one of the biggest stages available to it, the annual Reading Festival in England in August 1981. Much of the set was new to the audience – Greg's first solo album would not be released for another month. But the band received a wild reception regardless, and there were enough old favorites on display to ensure the fans remained happy…including the show opener “Fanfare for the Common Man,” truly one of the most effective showstoppers ever to have opened a concert.

The band's full tour kicked off in October. Purposefully, Lake demanded smaller venues, the theaters and universities that truly represented a refreshing change from the monster domes he'd visited the last time he hit the road in 1977 with ELP. The string of shows launched in Wales, at Aberystwyth University, then moved onto Cardiff University, Dunstable Queensway Hall, Norwich University, Liverpool Royal Court Theatre, Newcastle Mayfair, Glasgow University, Edinburgh Playhouse, Sheffield Lyceum, University of Kent Canterbury, Birmingham Odeon, Leicester Polytechnic, Bournemouth Winter Gardens, Exeter University, St Austell Cornwall Coliseum, Crawley Leisure Centre and, finally, London's Hammersmith Odeon.

It was not an extravagant performance - no lasers, no levitating keyboards, no priceless Persian carpets. The myths and legends that surrounded ELP when they toured were all firmly locked away. The Greg Lake Band toured like a band, and on stage they simply took up their positions and played. Brilliantly.

That last date on the tour is where this disc was recorded, in front of 2,000 fans who now had every note of Greg's new album memorized, and the rest of the set firmly entrenched in their DNA: the snatch of “Karn Evil 9” that eased out of the opening “Fanfare”; “Love You Too Much,” the song Lake co-wrote with Dylan in what remains another of the tantalizing collaborations of the age; “Retribution Drive” and “The Lie” from Greg Lake. “21st Century Schizoid Man” and “The Court Of The Crimson King,” from Lake’s stint with King Crimson, wrapped up the evening in positively rhapsodic fashion, and, finally, “C'est La Vie,” from ELP's Works. (The version of this track included on the CD is taken from a show in New York City 1981)

“A single night at the tail end of a single tour, alive with promise, bristling with presence. And welcoming back some new friends, too” - Dave Thompson, writer

Tracks:
Medley: Fanfare For The Common Man / Karn Evil 9
Nuclear Attack
The Lie
Retribution Drive
Lucky Man
Parisienne Walkways
You Really Got A Hold On Me
Love You Too Much
21st Century Schizoid Man
In The Court Of The Crimson King
Bonus Track: C'est La Vie (Live in NYC 1981)

To purchase:
Pre-order the CD: http://flyt.it/GregLakeCD
Pre-order the Vinyl: http://flyt.it/GregLakeLP
Pre-order the digital: http://flyt.it/GregLakedig

Greg Lake's official website: www.greglake.com