Showing posts with label Keith Emerson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Keith Emerson. 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


Thursday, April 21, 2016

Prince Remembered: Gifted genius the 'Purple One' artist dead at 57

Prince performing at the Pantages Theater in Los Angeles in
April 1997.  Photo credit: Kelly A. Swift
What is it about 2016? David Bowie, Maurice White, Glenn Frey, Sir George Martin, Keith Emerson, Merle Haggard, Paul Kantner...and today Prince. Only 57, he was found dead inside his recording studio in Chanhassen, Minnesota. Ironic, that Prince's death followed the recent death of Vanity (a Prince protege), who died at the age of 57 on Feb. 15, 2016.

A gifted singer, songwriter, guitarist and actor, the Minneapolis native (born Prince Rogers Nelson) loomed far larger than his 5 foot, 2 inch high frame. He blended funk, Hendrix-infused psychedelic rock, soul and other styles into his dozens of album releases (including 1999, Purple Rain, Sign O’ the Times, Graffiti Bridge and The Black Album). I also wanted to share the statement on Prince from Neil Portnow, President and CEO of The Recording Academy.

The Recording Academy® Statement Re: Prince
April 21, 2016

Our GRAMMY® family is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of seven-time GRAMMY Award winner Prince. Today, we remember and celebrate him as one of the most uniquely gifted artists of all time. Never one to conform, he redefined and forever changed our musical landscape. Prince was an original who influenced so many, and his legacy will live on forever. We have lost a true innovator and our sincerest condolences go out to his family, friends, collaborators, and all who have been impacted by his incredible work.

Neil Portnow
President/CEO
The Recording Academy


Here are a number of links where you can read more about Prince:

Los Angeles Times
http://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-prince-20160421-story.html

The Orange County Register
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/prince-713023-age-kamerud.html

CNN
http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/21/entertainment/prince-estate-death/index.html

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.