In 2009, Kelowna British Columbia I performed a concert with one of my legendary keyboard heroes, of the progressive Rock Genre, Keith Emerson.
As you may know, Keith Emerson took his own life because of Dystonia, A rare disease that affected his right hand which left him unable to play keyboards
In May 2022, I suffered a stroke which also disabled my right hand. I’m still writing music and have undergone much physiotherapy but it might be a long road back
Here’s a way you can support my music to continue my work in the performing and recording arts
www.paypal.me/johnleesanders?...
We had a killer rhythm section to back Keith Emerson at a benefit concert for the Okanagan Film festival, where I performed the lead vocal on the huge Emerson Lake and Palmer hit song, "From The Beginning. and their other iconic song "Lucky Man". Keith was one of my early inspirations on piano, synths and organ, When I studied at the University of North Texas, in 1972--74, I enrolled in the electronic music department, which had the same huge Moog Synthesizer that Keith used on recordings and concerts. I sold my 1957 Fender Precision bass, went out and bought my first synth because of some the work Keith , Stevie Wonder, and Walter (Wendy) Carlos did on those recordings. It was a thrill working with him. They had rented a huge top floor penthouse in Kelowna BC, overlooking the lake with a grand piano, and Keith and I Spent the day before the show jamming. Surprisingly, after 40 years, I still remembered note for note, some of the solos he did on those recordings, and my Yamaha keyboard had recreated some of the synth patches he used on those recordings (I told him, Yamaha owes you some $$$). . We both have a jazz, blues and classical background, and hit it off instantly . Sad that we lost him so tragically. I'll be posting a video on this particular song in the show later on today. Thanks to David and Jason Woodford for putting this show together, and inviting me to be a part of it. .
Emerson Lake & Palmer are a legend in the history of rock. They were the greatest absolute instrumentalists!
They were the greatest because they had the courage to play (in 1970 on the island of Wight, in front of 600,000 spectators !!) An work, certainly not commercial and at the revolutionary era, as "Pictures at an Exhibition" and the Public was in delirium!
They were the greatest because (given the age) they did the concert in Montreal more incredible and historic with a crazy orchestra and arriving in the helicopter stadium! Concert with 80,000 spectators: absolute record of the time, for a trio that was the only group scheduled.
They were the greatest ones, because they were the only supergroup that was able to fill the concerts and have sales records with a genus of non-commercial music (therefore not as easy as the product to be sold) (also considered the era without internet , without the social and media).
They were the greatest ones, because they never prostitituted to the commercial genre, as the other groups have made! Let's face it too .., bravely: they have never been to compromises, to make less demanding, superficial and more commercial music (in order to increase sales) as they have done Yes, Genesis and Pink Floyd.
All this because the ELPs have always made challenging music (for genes and musical connoisseurs) such as pure prog music, symphonic and classic rock.
I conclude remembering that in 1973 they destroyed sales of Rolling Stones and (in the same year) even obscured the Beatles! The photos that follow give an idea of ​​what the ELPs did! And never forget about what times! Without internet, video, technology and audience today, which is easier to obtain with modern technological communication means. Finally: the largest heritage that the Emerson Lake & Palmer left: it was the heterogeneity of the progressive, their disks were all different works among themselves, all (I say all) absolute masterpieces! Who followed a logical and coherent course over time. Even the last works such as "Love Beach", "Black Moon" and "In the Hot Seat" have been authentic pure works of art, in which the ELP has always sought and reached originality and perfect musical perfection. All Elp albums are jewelry! Those who consider the latest less pleasant discs, has not fully understood, the essence and art of the Emerson Lake & Palmer! It doesn't matter that stupid musical magazines and idiotic critics have not put them among the first groups ever, because the music of the Elp, remains art in pure state and like all brilliant artists (of history) have left an incredible cultural artistic heritage .