Met Keith in an informal setting and hung for a few hours. You are so right...he didn't know me from Adam but couldn't have been nicer. Funny, charming, very warm. I kept thinking "This is the guy I saw in 74 playing Brain Salad and I'm talking to him like a friend!" GOAT indeed!
Yes he was so real . Stood in front of him early gig was astounded by his talent and understanding of performance , I was in love with Greg I was fifteen! He emailed me yrs later with a surprising comment! They were unique talents Carl still amazing us. I can honestly say they CHANGED ME.
I'm a huge Yes fan and love Rick too, but Keith was the GOAT. Watch Emerson play his "Piano Concerto No. 1, Third Movement" with full orchestra at Olympic Stadium in Montreal on the ELP Works Tour in '77. Legendary.
Big ELP fan who is still getting over what happened in 2016. What a tragedy that a musical genius like Keith Emerson would take his own life and then less than a year later we are saddened to hear of the passing of one of musics classiest gentlemen, Mister Greg Lake. RIP to them and to John Wetton and Chris Squire, both top notch musicians.
@@sheldonwheaton881 Rip mick karn i loved all his music since japan band, then into solos and collaborations, i had occasion to be at a concert in rome in late 90th, a very smooth & rolling and experimental sounds on stage
The musicians we used to "know" and love, making that incredible music. Also Jon Lord and Tony Banks, dearly missed. Fortunately there are still the albums and videos to hear and see them perform once more. Also there's hope for the new generation, really good and awesome musicians on keyboard, guitar and drums will be joining the GOAT. As for this interview: Funny and very. very diplomatic on Keith's behalf. I really don't think that ELP and Yes music would have combined in any way, neither needed to.
I understand depression: Just put yourself in his place . It’s hard to accept For the ones left behind. But that person you knew was proud full of life full of love but they knew that but they had succumbed to frailty and didn’t want to go through that. They remained proud their own person they didn’t depend on anybody they didn’t want to. They lived a wonderful life and knew it. We have to let that sink in, let it go. They want us to go forward free of their needs, free to love them in memorial in joy of their accomplishment free from the world.
You and me both. I’m so sad he lost himself, and gave up. Keith was is always will be a legendary master of keyboards and music production. He has inspired countless people, I wouldn’t even care about synths and keys if it wasn’t for Keith. I miss him and I always have a spot in my heart for anything Mr. Emerson did. And his son is no slouch either.
Keith Emerson was such a powerhouse and an absolute beast on the keyboards that if he had joined Yes, the music they could have created together would have been mindblowing but the only problem with that is Keith had such a powerful sound, it would have indirectly become the Keith Emerson band. I think in the long run, Emerson made the right choice by not joining as he, Greg Lake and Carl Palmer would go on to make history while Yes would still also become one of the great bands of all time.
It's one of the great "what if" questions though, that and Steve Howe or Jimi Hendrix joining (H)ELP. Probably wouldn't have worked but imagine even for 1 album and 1 tour......
I think for one album and tour it could have been a great experiment. But where Keith in essence was responsible for the primary sound of ELP, Wakeman found great spots to flourish _within_ Yes. Rick's solo work is an example where it's all Rick. It's easy to see why Keith passed on the offer.
His brief words on Steve Howe speak volumes. Emerson wasn’t one to hand out praise every day, but here he says: “Steve Howe ... a brilliant musician.” Powerful moment there. Says a lot about Howe, says a lot about Emerson.
Had the chance to meet Keith one time in a social setting. Nicest guy you could imagine, very genuine. I still can't get over his death. Indeed one of the greatest musician/composers in contemporary music and the absolute greatest rock keyboardist of all time.
The tragedy was a degenerative disease that left Keith's hands unable to execute the instructions that his mind knew well. If his hands were merely his livelihood, he might've endured. But -- like for most of us -- his hands were more than that. So he decided to bow out. If our life were but a single sentence -- how best to punctuate it?
"Why would I want to join Yes?" There aren't many artists who would have thought of even asking that question, but I suppose Keith Emerson was one of them, and rightfully so LOL May he rest in peace.
But it's a perfectly valid question. At the time, Yes were a great band. But why on earth would Keith Emerson want to join them when he was having great success with ELP?
Emerson would have been dreadful in Yes. Awful. Totally the wrong musical sensibilities. Nothing that moves to his strengths and much that exposes his stylistic limitations. Think Stravinsky not Mussorgsky. Mozart, Handel and Grieg instead of Bartok, Copeland and Ginastera. Great musician. Wrong dude for the gig.
therealslipperman Maybe so, but great musicians, even ones with as galvanized a style as Keith had, find a way to collaborate with other great musicians and reach common ground.
Welcome back my Friends to the Show That Never Ends................................!!! Thank you Keith...! You and ELP gave the world a Real Kick in Music. RIP...! Glad I got to ride motorcycles with you in Northern California and hang out with Emerson Berry and Palmer. Yes was a great band.... You would of added another twist to them.
Funnily enough those weren't the last contacts between ELP and Yes, because ELP was joined by Greg Lake WHO had been sharing an appartment with Chris Squire in the late 60s, and Carl Palmer later co-founded Asia with Steve Howe and Geoff Downes! Rest in peace Keith Emerson, Greg Lake, John Wetton, Chris Squire!🙏
What a piece of luck that both Steve Howe and Chris Squire turned Keith down. Keith was the only one who didn't realise that he was the LEAD player! Also, that he never joined YES! He would have been stifled! Emerson, Lake and Palmer ruled the world!
Saw Yes twice in those days, both times with Wakeman and he hardly had a chance to be heard as the band was dominated by Steve Howe. It was an awful sound. Emerson and Yes wouldnt have been a good combination.
Yes with Emerson wouldn't have worked because as you pointed out, he was (destined to be) the lead player. I think that's why he was comfortable in a trio and nothing larger. Besides, the musically creative chemistry that made Yes unique and made ELP unique were derived from notably different influences. Putting Emerson with Anderson, Howe, and Squire would have sounded like the result of too much mixing of drinks, a pounding musical hangover with a high-pitched voice.
That was after Patrick left (or been asked to leave). Would have been interesting to hear, but I'm not sure that Keith would ever have been happy in a 5 piece. Rick was perfectly willing to let Chris and Steve take the forefront instrumentally.
Maybe not. They were very different bands. Yes (like Genesis) relying on several clever musicians all equally contributing instrumentally. ELP were more like the Jimi Hendrix Experience, with Keith the main lead instrumentalist for 90% of the time. I reckon Keith would've felt too 'crowded'. (He actually jammed with Jimi Hendrix in either '69 or '70 but they both realised it wasn't working.) It's never just a matter of getting the best musicians together, it's mainly how the members of a band gel musically, AND how they get on together, the 'chemistry' between them.
Oh my God what a revelation for me Keith Emerson was asked to play for yes those are two of my favorite bands in the world yes and Emerson Lake and Palmer right behind Frank Zappa sorry..
Wow, Emerson cracked a smile! That's a rarety. He always looks so serious. As far as asking Emerson to replace Wakeman. Keith was one of only a handful of Keyboardists with the musical chops to do it.
FOI UMA DAS PIORES NOTÍCIAS PRA MIM QUANDO FIQUEI SABENDO DO SUICÍDIO DESSE GÊNIO. INCRÍVEL COMO A MERDA VIDA É, E SE VC NÃO TIVER PREPARADO LASCOU. DEPRESSÃO PRA MIM HOJE É UM DOS PIORES MAUS DO SÉCULO. PENA MESMO. O CARA REVOLUCIONOU O TECLADO E TIRANDO DO PAPEL DE MERO COADJUVANTE PRA LINHA DE FRENTE. FODAÇO DEMAIS.
If Keith Emerson had, in fact, joined YES..... one of two things would have happened 1) it would have been a complete disaster, or 2) YES would have taken off in an entirely different direction! Keith was a much different kind of player than Rick Wakeman, in my opinion. Keith was already used to running his own band, and his playing was the major part in most of ELP`s material! It would have been interesting! Keith Emerson, Chris Squire, Trevor Rabin, Steve Howe.... now, that would have been scary!
That would have been interesting if Keith joined Yes. The only thing is that Wakeman and Moraz both used Mellotrons and I don't think I've ever heard an ELP song that used one. No matter what, RIP Keith and thank you for exposing a lot of young rock fans to classical.
+Brian Washington ELP used a Mellotron when performing "Abaddon's Bolero" live - and, the funny thing is, it was Greg Lake who played the Mellotron on stage, while Keith did all the synths.
Wow. Thank you . I always thought he was strictly organ, synth and piano. Just proves you learn something every day. Btw, I never knew Lake did Mellotron. Of course, I was just a little kid when they were at the peak of their powers.
He hated Mellotrons, being one of those who thought that one was simply just playing tape samples, and not an actual keyboard instrument. Tony Kaye also hated them, saying that they sounded like yowling cats in heat.
@@Esotereclectic Kaye also really wasn't big on synths either. in fact, the only time I think he played anything with a synth part was "Perpetual Change", which, ironically enough, was the final track on the final album he recorded with the band for 13 years; "The Yes Album".
R.I.P to all of those Great Musicians and human beings. It shakes me to my core just watching this video and reading the comments below. ELP and YES were some of most favorite Progressive rock bands. While I never had the chance to see YES perform I did see ELP in 1972 at the Mar y Sol 3 day Rock Fest held near the beach in Vega Baja , Puerto Rico. A moment in my life I will cherish forever. You can hear the music from that concert here.
Not at that time. Yes was rather desperate. Jon Anderson even tried to get Vangelis, but that only culminated in Olias of Sunhillow and some later plush albums between these two. In the end I think that was best for both ELP and for YES.
It's A Bloody Travesty To Lose Great Musicians Like Keith...Yet Good For Nothing/Johnny Nobody/Buggers Like Justin Bieber And Kanye West Are Still Walking About...
That would have made for an amazing sound, even if they only did something in the studio. Can you imagine what Eddie Offord could do with the sound of Chris Squire, Steve Howe, Jon Anderson and Keith Emerson? Mind blowing.
Indeed. Eddie was the engineer for ELP's debut, Tarkus and Trilogy. After he left, BSS and later albums seemed more distant and less precise. Eddie was missed.
Well, Emerson poached Greg Lake from King Crimson. It's true that they (more specifically, Giles and MacDonald) had decided to leave, effectively ending the band.... but at some point Fripp wanted to go on (and MacDonald regretted his decision).... It was too late. Emerson had been persuasive enough.
Kind of like when Lynyard Skynyrd lost Ed King and there was a conversation with Leslie West about replacing him. West offered to do it if the band changed it's name to Leslie West and Lynyard Skynyrd...Well LS was like one of the most popular bands in the US at that point. They had had a string of hit records in the top 10. Sweet Home Al..played every hour on the hour the summer it came out on every radio station in the country. West had one hit with Mountain years ago and he actually thought he was his star power was greater. They , like Keith Emerson , were thinking why the hell would we do that and told him no thanks
In retrospect, if this move could have averted both Love Beach and 90125 from ever happening, it would have been one of the best moves in musical history. 😄
All these guys are heroes of the 70's & ofcourse they learned to play as they worked there way up. Yes worked & worked hard at it. Modern acts have not served this kind of apprenticeship, it's no wonder there are so few great musicians & music anymore.
I have to say I completely disagree that Emerson in Yes would be anything but a disaster. And Howe in Emerson's band would have been equally bad. The very thought of Squire sublimating his talent in an Emerson band is appalling. Think about Squire, of the multiple bass parts and bass pedals, playing endless drones behind Emerson. Why? I saw a video on here of Squire and White playing Fanfare for the Common Man in an Emerson tribute. I couldn't even get all the way through it; Squire essentially playing one note for the whole piece. Again, appalling. Yes and Emerson are two entirely different kinds of musical entities. Emerson is like Tony Kaye on steroids. I'm not the biggest Wakeman fan, but he knew how to support what was going on; Emerson probably could only be out front, all the time. And *any* bassist and drummer could play behind him, but not someone on the level of Squire. Or Howe, for that matter. Glad nothing like that ever happened. (Loved Tarkus, BTW...)
Judging the music of ELP by using Fanfare as an example makes no sense. Fanfare is a simple jam, similar to Rondo. The rest of ELP's music was extremely complex, requiring superior musicians. Carl Palmer's early style demanded playing alongside the lead, rather than keeping the beat and providing the floor for the rhythm. Greg Lake was extremely underrated as a bassist as well, having to play ELP's music cannot be so easy that anyone could do it. And on The Keith Emerson Band, Marc Bonilla's guitar work complemented Keith's keyboards seamlessly. Not sure if Keith evolved in his later years to be able to comfortably mesh with a guitarist, but had he done so, Steve Howe would have been a tremendous addition. As Keith said, Howe is a brilliant musician.
@@robertglisson6319 Most Yes music is guitar driven. From Close to the Edge on, most of the actual thematic direction seemed to emanate from Howe. He (and his ego) needs to be out front musically. Emerson only knows how to be out front musically. I can't imagine the two of them together, but maybe that's just me. I'm just glad it never happened. I'm not as impressed as you with Lake's bass playing, either, though I loved his voice. And growing up, I was firmly in the love Bruford, hate Palmer camp.
MagMusic, as I said, Emo may have evolved to have later accommodated a full time guitarist. As for Broof and Palmer, I love them both, although they have very different styles. No need to be part of the Love/Hate thing unless one has a hatred for their favorite band's chief rival. I doubt the members of each band hater members of the other. No reason for fans to do so, either...
I have to disagree with "endless drones." The bass for ELP was complex and thrilling. Interestingly, Lake produced albums in which he toned down the bass even though it was fantastic. I agree with Robert above that Fanfare is unusual bass-wise.
@@robertglisson6319 Emerson wanted to play in a trio, as did Lake and Palmer. Lake did play the guitar brilliantly in a number of pieces, including KE9 and Tarkus. He was an incredible guitarist and bassist.
Perhaps he didn't think it through too well. He could've done a Yes/ELP tour, played in both bands and pocketed $$$$$ more. Not to mention having his playing and name as a member of the Yes music machine.
Looks like he's depressed here ... suicide: a permanent solution to a temporary problem and a very selfish and angry statement to leave with those who do care ... yes, it leaves a lasting gash in the human family.
I believe Keith is referring to the period from the end of the Brain Salad Surgery tour (including the California Jam) and Works, the latter being the High Water Mark of Western Civilization.
What a collection of amazing musicians we were blessed with between Yes and Elp and Genisis & King crimson, gentle giant, Greenslade, Camel etc. etc. Addendum ' Rush came a bit later nonetheless up there with the greats.
Patrick pushed Yes in a new direction. Rick is an amazing player, but as a session musician he's very happy to augment the music, which is why he fit Yes perfectly.
I had no idea that he had asked Steve Howe and Chris Squire to join his band AND that he was asked to join Yes....that's incredible! How different each band would have been if any of those suggestions actually happened.
It seems odd that he would ask Squire after Steve Howe had joined Yes and before ELP had formed. That was when Yes was really taking off and ELP was just a glint in Emerson’s eye. It’s especially odd considering his own reaction to being offered a position with Yes.
And Patrick ended up being Ricks replacement - Brian Lane was still Ricks Manager (agent) -after he left Yes - And after Relayer, in Switzerland - when Rick wanted to return to Yes - Brian just kicked Patrick out - And Keith would have got the same treatment. Patrick got a bum deal from Yes - but he also gave Refugee a bum deal after only one album- so. I don't have any sympathy for him. He also had a problem and a court case with the Moodies. Was patrick just a money grabber, with no loyalty, or a genuine artist who wanted to progress ? He was certainly a talented musician. All artists want to make money . Please comment on any of my Devils Advocate statements.
Thanks for two great concerts in Atlanta. My favorite album is Pictures At An Exhibition. Interesting that there were no studio recordings of that, only two live recordings.
YES has been my favorite band since the middle 70s, with ELP firmly in the second spot. My mind boggles at the possibilities, but I think he would have been too much of featured member to blend into the background in another band. I would absolutely love to hear him and Steve Howe, my favorite guitarist, playing together. At least Steve and Carl Palmer eventually got together to form a little band called Asia.
I believe Keith might have been talking about the unknown group Bodast, or one of the spin-offs of Tomorrow (Canto?). The band called Roundabout had members that left to join Deep Purple, and Howe formed a new group called Canto from those people, then later he met a singer-songwriter duo and called it Bodast which is sort of like an acronym for the names of the members, Bobby, Dave and Steve. If he asked Howe to join just after O'List left, then that would have been very early Yes with Pete Banks. That seems likely, but that would have been like '69, and Howe didn't join Yes until '70, and that was I believe when Lake and Palmer were forming ELP. Squire had seen Howe with Bodast and was impressed.
+Casey Van Glad you raised that chronological issue. O'list left in 1968 and Howe did not join Yes until 1970 or possibly the very end of 1969, so it must have been Bodast or some interim band.
Yep, you are right, Steve joined Yes as late as 1970, not 1969. I do not believe Steve would be good for The Nice because The Nice had a powerful and aggressive sound and Steve was such a gentle player.
Casey Van Yeah Keith got mixed up with what time Steve was seen. According to Steves version of this, he thought he was auditioning for the Nice and it was the same time that he had auditioned for Yes, So it was 1970. Think Keith then went back to the drawing board and came up with ELP.
ELP with Howe would have been IMHO the best combo of all the mixes Saw both bands several times each was masters i never put one over the other Moody Blues is in there too
Knew Keith back in the 90's. Sweet humble beautiful person. The greatest rock keyboard player of all time. GOAT
Met Keith in an informal setting and hung for a few hours. You are so right...he didn't know me from Adam but couldn't have been nicer. Funny, charming, very warm. I kept thinking "This is the guy I saw in 74 playing Brain Salad and I'm talking to him like a friend!" GOAT indeed!
Along with Rick Wakeman !!!!
I think Rick Wakeman. But Rick says it's Keith. So I'm good with that. Titans, legends. No question.
Yes he was so real . Stood in front of him early gig was astounded by his talent and understanding of performance , I was in love with Greg I was fifteen! He emailed me yrs later with a surprising comment! They were unique talents Carl still amazing us. I can honestly say they CHANGED ME.
I'm a huge Yes fan and love Rick too, but Keith was the GOAT. Watch Emerson play his "Piano Concerto No. 1, Third Movement" with full orchestra at Olympic Stadium in Montreal on the ELP Works Tour in '77. Legendary.
Any fans of ELP here 2020 RIP Keith Emerson and Greg Lake left too soon also RIP John Wetton and of course RIP Chris Squire all sadly missed
Big ELP fan who is still getting over what happened in 2016. What a tragedy that a musical
genius like Keith Emerson would take his own life and then less than a year later we are
saddened to hear of the passing of one of musics classiest gentlemen, Mister Greg Lake.
RIP to them and to John Wetton and Chris Squire, both top notch musicians.
Mick Karn was a sad loss as well! Bass players dropping like flies.
@@sheldonwheaton881 Rip mick karn i loved all his music since japan band, then into solos and collaborations, i had occasion to be at a concert in rome in late 90th, a very smooth & rolling and experimental sounds on stage
ELP Forever!
The musicians we used to "know" and love, making that incredible music. Also Jon Lord and Tony Banks, dearly missed. Fortunately there are still the albums and videos to hear and see them perform once more.
Also there's hope for the new generation, really good and awesome musicians on keyboard, guitar and drums will be joining the GOAT.
As for this interview: Funny and very. very diplomatic on Keith's behalf. I really don't think that ELP and Yes music would have combined in any way, neither needed to.
I still can't believe he went out the way he did.... god what a great musician... really miss him....
Indeed...He Should Not Have Gave Up That Way...And Continue To Seek Treatment...
Yes. Beyond tragic. 🙁
I understand depression: Just put yourself in his place . It’s hard to accept For the ones left behind. But that person you knew was proud full of life full of love but they knew that but they had succumbed to frailty and didn’t want to go through that. They remained proud their own person they didn’t depend on anybody they didn’t want to. They lived a wonderful life and knew it. We have to let that sink in, let it go. They want us to go forward free of their needs, free to love them in memorial in joy of their accomplishment free from the world.
@@ELPCOTILLION-SD1970 Well, not everyone can be your hero can they?
You and me both. I’m so sad he lost himself, and gave up. Keith was is always will be a legendary master of keyboards and music production. He has inspired countless people, I wouldn’t even care about synths and keys if it wasn’t for Keith. I miss him and I always have a spot in my heart for anything Mr. Emerson did. And his son is no slouch either.
Keith's answer to Yes was No
Champion comment!! 🏆
🤣
Different worlds complete
The Nice thing to say would have been Yes.
I was thinking he was about to say that. What a missed opportunity for him. It was RIGHT THERE!
R.I.P Keith. Thank you for making my life much richer
Much better to keep the _two_ bands. l love them both. RIP dearest Keith.
Subhuman
Hawkwind s
Keith Emerson was such a powerhouse and an absolute beast on the keyboards that if he had joined Yes, the music they could have created together would have been mindblowing but the only problem with that is Keith had such a powerful sound, it would have indirectly become the Keith Emerson band. I think in the long run, Emerson made the right choice by not joining as he, Greg Lake and Carl Palmer would go on to make history while Yes would still also become one of the great bands of all time.
It's one of the great "what if" questions though, that and Steve Howe or Jimi Hendrix joining (H)ELP. Probably wouldn't have worked but imagine even for 1 album and 1 tour......
Yeah you're probably right. Yes wouldn't have lasted long. Too many ego's to contend with. How it turned out was fine by me.
I think for one album and tour it could have been a great experiment. But where Keith in essence was responsible for the primary sound of ELP, Wakeman found great spots to flourish _within_ Yes. Rick's solo work is an example where it's all Rick.
It's easy to see why Keith passed on the offer.
R.I.P. Keith.. thank you for everything, you are unforgettable
His brief words on Steve Howe speak volumes. Emerson wasn’t one to hand out praise every day, but here he says: “Steve Howe ... a brilliant musician.” Powerful moment there. Says a lot about Howe, says a lot about Emerson.
Emerson, Lake and Palmer. Three amazing musicians. It was so good while it lasted. Too many of them gone now.
I feel you the very best.
Emerson e Lake sono morti.
Had the chance to meet Keith one time in a social setting. Nicest guy you could imagine, very genuine. I still can't get over his death. Indeed one of the greatest musician/composers in contemporary music and the absolute greatest rock keyboardist of all time.
Damn tragedy. Such a humble guy. What a waste of talent. Still depresses me. 😢
What a waste. My keyboard hero. Rest nicely Keith, you and ELP made my life.
you can't call that a "waste of talent". He did what he did till he decided he couldn't do it anymore...that's not a "waste".
Wasting a talent means you never did anything with it. Keith wasted nothing.
The tragedy was a degenerative disease that left Keith's hands unable to execute the instructions that his mind knew well. If his hands were merely his livelihood, he might've endured. But -- like for most of us -- his hands were more than that. So he decided to bow out. If our life were but a single sentence -- how best to punctuate it?
@@bluarcher5941 Agreed. Perhaps "loss of talent" might have been more accurate, but I think the meaning is clear nonetheless.
"Why would I want to join Yes?"
There aren't many artists who would have thought of even asking that question, but I suppose Keith Emerson was one of them, and rightfully so LOL May he rest in peace.
But it's a perfectly valid question. At the time, Yes were a great band. But why on earth would Keith Emerson want to join them when he was having great success with ELP?
Risk Wakeman is a musical genius too.
Keith and Rick the Best!
Another favorite of mine who rarely gets any mention is John Tout from Renaissance!
Emerson would have been dreadful in Yes. Awful. Totally the wrong musical sensibilities. Nothing that moves to his strengths and much that exposes his stylistic limitations. Think Stravinsky not Mussorgsky. Mozart, Handel and Grieg instead of Bartok, Copeland and Ginastera. Great musician. Wrong dude for the gig.
I agree. Most likely would have turned into a train wreck.
therealslipperman Maybe so, but great musicians, even ones with as galvanized a style as Keith had, find a way to collaborate with other great musicians and reach common ground.
"Thank you so much for everything, KEITH."
R.I.P. Eternal MASTER...!!!
Keith Emerson joins Yes.....now, that's one heck of a "what if?" for you.
Four and a half minutes to say something that coulda been said in about 15 sec. 😆
Love ya, Keith...you're sorely missed. May you rest in peace.
Welcome back my Friends to the Show That Never Ends................................!!!
Thank you Keith...! You and ELP gave the world a Real Kick in Music. RIP...!
Glad I got to ride motorcycles with you in Northern California and hang out with Emerson Berry and Palmer.
Yes was a great band.... You would of added another twist to them.
Imagine Keith playing together Yes..... !!!! But What for ? Keith has his own rules..
Funnily enough those weren't the last contacts between ELP and Yes, because ELP was joined by Greg Lake WHO had been sharing an appartment with Chris Squire in the late 60s, and Carl Palmer later co-founded Asia with Steve Howe and Geoff Downes!
Rest in peace Keith Emerson, Greg Lake, John Wetton, Chris Squire!🙏
rip keith,a genius,fantastically talented musician who shall be greatly missed.
Keith i love your Nighthawks score!!! One of my all-time favorite soundtracks,a definitive masterpiece that is timeless and has alot of soul!!!
What a piece of luck that both Steve Howe and Chris Squire turned Keith down. Keith was the only one who didn't realise that he was the LEAD player! Also, that he never joined YES! He would have been stifled! Emerson, Lake and Palmer ruled the world!
+Stewart Nicol as BILLY CONNOLLY - ELP totally blew Yes out of the water!
Saw Yes twice in those days, both times with Wakeman and he hardly had a chance to be heard as the band was dominated by Steve Howe. It was an awful sound. Emerson and Yes wouldnt have been a good combination.
Yes with Emerson wouldn't have worked because as you pointed out, he was (destined to be) the lead player. I think that's why he was comfortable in a trio and nothing larger. Besides, the musically creative chemistry that made Yes unique and made ELP unique were derived from notably different influences. Putting Emerson with Anderson, Howe, and Squire would have sounded like the result of too much mixing of drinks, a pounding musical hangover with a high-pitched voice.
Hi Keith would you like to join Yes? No!
The Diversity of YES Music over shadowed ELP.
Oh, it would be fun to hear the "whole" story. The expressions on his face make me wonder. lol
I really like both acts, but I like the way things worked out. If he had joined Yes I envision that as hindering both ELP & Yes. Bravo.
Cheers Keith, you let left us too soon.
If Keith had agreed to join Yes for an album or two......man, what an album that would've been.
That was after Patrick left (or been asked to leave). Would have been interesting to hear, but I'm not sure that Keith would ever have been happy in a 5 piece. Rick was perfectly willing to let Chris and Steve take the forefront instrumentally.
Maybe not. They were very different bands. Yes (like Genesis) relying on several clever musicians all equally contributing instrumentally. ELP were more like the Jimi Hendrix Experience, with Keith the main lead instrumentalist for 90% of the time. I reckon Keith would've felt too 'crowded'. (He actually jammed with Jimi Hendrix in either '69 or '70 but they both realised it wasn't working.) It's never just a matter of getting the best musicians together, it's mainly how the members of a band gel musically, AND how they get on together, the 'chemistry' between them.
Rick was more than enough for Yes.
I think Keith can't be keith without band like he's, you know greg was on the same road like him so
They did tour together..early 1970's
Oh my God what a revelation for me Keith Emerson was asked to play for yes those are two of my favorite bands in the world yes and Emerson Lake and Palmer right behind Frank Zappa sorry..
You have good taste my friend!
Wow, Emerson cracked a smile! That's a rarety. He always looks so serious. As far as asking Emerson to replace Wakeman. Keith was one of only a handful of Keyboardists with the musical chops to do it.
Emerson was a wickedly funny man. Incredibly witty. I've seen scores of photos of him smiling.
I really like to Rick Wakeman but Emerson was better than him as a matter of fact I thought t h e j i s Van Lear should be second next to Emerson
FOI UMA DAS PIORES NOTÍCIAS PRA MIM QUANDO FIQUEI SABENDO DO SUICÍDIO DESSE GÊNIO. INCRÍVEL COMO A MERDA VIDA É, E SE VC NÃO TIVER PREPARADO LASCOU. DEPRESSÃO PRA MIM HOJE É UM DOS PIORES MAUS DO SÉCULO. PENA MESMO. O CARA REVOLUCIONOU O TECLADO E TIRANDO DO PAPEL DE MERO COADJUVANTE PRA LINHA DE FRENTE. FODAÇO DEMAIS.
It might have been interesting to hear Keith playing as a guest on one Yes album.
"Interesting" massive understatement 🤣. Totally get what you're saying.
Yes indeed or perhaps Steve and Chris playing with EHSP. Maybe it doesn't have the same ring?
@@nz1229 SHEP
You bet, though I'm a Wakeman fan for sure.
@@crotalusatrox7931 I saw Rick's one man show a few months ago. He's still amazing and still hysterical.
If Keith Emerson had, in fact, joined YES..... one of two things would have happened 1) it would have been a complete disaster, or 2) YES would have taken off in an entirely different direction! Keith was a much different kind of player than Rick Wakeman, in my opinion. Keith was already used to running his own band, and his playing was the major part in most of ELP`s material! It would have been interesting! Keith Emerson, Chris Squire, Trevor Rabin, Steve Howe.... now, that would have been scary!
That would have been interesting if Keith joined Yes. The only thing is that Wakeman and Moraz both used Mellotrons and I don't think I've ever heard an ELP song that used one.
No matter what, RIP Keith and thank you for exposing a lot of young rock fans to classical.
+Brian Washington ELP used a Mellotron when performing "Abaddon's Bolero" live - and, the funny thing is, it was Greg Lake who played the Mellotron on stage, while Keith did all the synths.
Wow. Thank you . I always thought he was strictly organ, synth and piano. Just proves you learn something every day. Btw, I never knew Lake did Mellotron. Of course, I was just a little kid when they were at the peak of their powers.
He hated Mellotrons, being one of those who thought that one was simply just playing tape samples, and not an actual keyboard instrument. Tony Kaye also hated them, saying that they sounded like yowling cats in heat.
He hated mellotrons, but it can be heard in ELP’s few songs, Tarkus introduction was one of them
@@Esotereclectic Kaye also really wasn't big on synths either. in fact, the only time I think he played anything with a synth part was "Perpetual Change", which, ironically enough, was the final track on the final album he recorded with the band for 13 years; "The Yes Album".
R.I.P to all of those Great Musicians and human beings. It shakes me to my core just watching this video and reading the comments below. ELP and YES were some of most favorite Progressive rock bands. While I never had the chance to see YES perform I did see ELP in 1972 at the Mar y Sol 3 day Rock Fest held near the beach in Vega Baja , Puerto Rico. A moment in my life I will cherish forever. You can hear the music from that concert here.
Great concert!
I had the DVD great concert Greg Lake stated that the conditions there were horrible with heat high humidity snakes and insects
"Okay, I guess, Rick Wakeman, will have to do."
Not at that time. Yes was rather desperate. Jon Anderson even tried to get Vangelis, but that only culminated in Olias of Sunhillow and some later plush albums between these two. In the end I think that was best for both ELP and for YES.
Gracias por haber existido
Keith Emerson,
RIP
Gracias a ud.
Conocí el mundo del Rock Progresivo
Un *Genio MAESTRO*...!! Sin dudas.
Yo aprendí muchísimo de EL&P.
QEPD.
Yo también! En 1975
It's A Bloody Travesty To Lose Great Musicians Like Keith...Yet Good For Nothing/Johnny Nobody/Buggers Like Justin Bieber And Kanye West Are Still Walking About...
That would have made for an amazing sound, even if they only did something in the studio. Can you imagine what Eddie Offord could do with the sound of Chris Squire, Steve Howe, Jon Anderson and Keith Emerson? Mind blowing.
Indeed. Eddie was the engineer for ELP's debut, Tarkus and Trilogy. After he left, BSS and later albums seemed more distant and less precise. Eddie was missed.
Lake is the voice.
I'm sure I read somewhere that there was once talk of Jimi Hendrix joining ELP. I can't imagine what that would have been like.
Well, Emerson poached Greg Lake from King Crimson. It's true that they (more specifically, Giles and MacDonald) had decided to leave, effectively ending the band.... but at some point Fripp wanted to go on (and MacDonald regretted his decision).... It was too late. Emerson had been persuasive enough.
Kind of like when Lynyard Skynyrd lost Ed King and there was a conversation with Leslie West about replacing him. West offered to do it if the band changed it's name to Leslie West and Lynyard Skynyrd...Well LS was like one of the most popular bands in the US at that point. They had had a string of hit records in the top 10. Sweet Home Al..played every hour on the hour the summer it came out on every radio station in the country. West had one hit with Mountain years ago and he actually thought he was his star power was greater. They , like Keith Emerson , were thinking why the hell would we do that and told him no thanks
In retrospect, if this move could have averted both Love Beach and 90125 from ever happening, it would have been one of the best moves in musical history. 😄
Absolutely.
All these guys are heroes of the 70's & ofcourse they learned to play as they worked there way up. Yes worked & worked hard at it. Modern acts have not served this kind of apprenticeship, it's no wonder there are so few great musicians & music anymore.
Still to this day I still love ELP
What a brilliant band
RIP Keith.. I am back in Northern California and wish you were here for another motorcycle ride in the Santa Cruz mountains. We had a Blast..!!
RIP KE.
This fucked up world took you away and left us with shit like Cardi B.
I have to say I completely disagree that Emerson in Yes would be anything but a disaster. And Howe in Emerson's band would have been equally bad. The very thought of Squire sublimating his talent in an Emerson band is appalling. Think about Squire, of the multiple bass parts and bass pedals, playing endless drones behind Emerson. Why? I saw a video on here of Squire and White playing Fanfare for the Common Man in an Emerson tribute. I couldn't even get all the way through it; Squire essentially playing one note for the whole piece. Again, appalling.
Yes and Emerson are two entirely different kinds of musical entities. Emerson is like Tony Kaye on steroids. I'm not the biggest Wakeman fan, but he knew how to support what was going on; Emerson probably could only be out front, all the time. And *any* bassist and drummer could play behind him, but not someone on the level of Squire. Or Howe, for that matter. Glad nothing like that ever happened. (Loved Tarkus, BTW...)
Judging the music of ELP by using Fanfare as an example makes no sense. Fanfare is a simple jam, similar to Rondo. The rest of ELP's music was extremely complex, requiring superior musicians. Carl Palmer's early style demanded playing alongside the lead, rather than keeping the beat and providing the floor for the rhythm. Greg Lake was extremely underrated as a bassist as well, having to play ELP's music cannot be so easy that anyone could do it.
And on The Keith Emerson Band, Marc Bonilla's guitar work complemented Keith's keyboards seamlessly. Not sure if Keith evolved in his later years to be able to comfortably mesh with a guitarist, but had he done so, Steve Howe would have been a tremendous addition. As Keith said, Howe is a brilliant musician.
@@robertglisson6319 Most Yes music is guitar driven. From Close to the Edge on, most of the actual thematic direction seemed to emanate from Howe. He (and his ego) needs to be out front musically. Emerson only knows how to be out front musically. I can't imagine the two of them together, but maybe that's just me. I'm just glad it never happened. I'm not as impressed as you with Lake's bass playing, either, though I loved his voice. And growing up, I was firmly in the love Bruford, hate Palmer camp.
MagMusic, as I said, Emo may have evolved to have later accommodated a full time guitarist. As for Broof and Palmer, I love them both, although they have very different styles. No need to be part of the Love/Hate thing unless one has a hatred for their favorite band's chief rival. I doubt the members of each band hater members of the other. No reason for fans to do so, either...
I have to disagree with "endless drones." The bass for ELP was complex and thrilling. Interestingly, Lake produced albums in which he toned down the bass even though it was fantastic. I agree with Robert above that Fanfare is unusual bass-wise.
@@robertglisson6319 Emerson wanted to play in a trio, as did Lake and Palmer. Lake did play the guitar brilliantly in a number of pieces, including KE9 and Tarkus. He was an incredible guitarist and bassist.
Uno de los mejores teclistas de la historia del Rock. DEP
Cierto
Anderson, Palmer, Lee, Wakeman and Lifeson! Dare to dream!!
Keith was the best of the best
From 1:10 - 1:40 there's an unusual depth you don't see much in interviews - or anywhere for that matter
Perhaps he didn't think it through too well. He could've done a Yes/ELP tour, played in both bands and pocketed $$$$$ more. Not to mention having his playing and name as a member of the Yes music machine.
Looks like he's depressed here ... suicide: a permanent solution to a temporary problem and a very selfish and angry statement to leave with those who do care ... yes, it leaves a lasting gash in the human family.
I believe Keith is referring to the period from the end of the Brain Salad Surgery tour (including the California Jam) and Works, the latter being the High Water Mark of Western Civilization.
Still... Your music turns me on. And it does, from the beginning.
What a collection of amazing musicians we were blessed with between Yes and Elp and Genisis & King crimson, gentle giant, Greenslade, Camel etc. etc. Addendum ' Rush came a bit later nonetheless up there with the greats.
extra points for putting gentle giant in there, who are sadly often overlooked
Our generation was so lucky huge creativity possibly fed by negativity of war,
Wow. Didn't have a clue about this. So glad he turned it down. He was made to have his own band I suppose.
Perfectly understandable Keith. You had your own band and what a band it was. RIP.
a great peace of history , magic !
Wakeman to Emerson would have been a very parallel move.
Well they certainly couldn't go up from there.
Btw, God I miss Frank!!👻
Patrick pushed Yes in a new direction. Rick is an amazing player, but as a session musician he's very happy to augment the music, which is why he fit Yes perfectly.
No way.
R,I,p, Keith ,he was an insperation to experimenting and inventing extraordinary sounds of sound with fingers to the organ piano+keyboard,
Yes was an always changing band. They had a different lineup for each album they put out it seems.
It would have been an underchallenge for Keith to join Yes.
I saw the Nice and ELP. Keith was just an amazing keyboard player and musician plus an epic showman.
Howe & Emerson? That would have been epic!👻
Worlds apart
Keith would have flattened him on day 1.
It is so very Sad what happened to Keith. May he Rest in Peace.
I had no idea that he had asked Steve Howe and Chris Squire to join his band AND that he was asked to join Yes....that's incredible! How different each band would have been if any of those suggestions actually happened.
It seems odd that he would ask Squire after Steve Howe had joined Yes and before ELP had formed. That was when Yes was really taking off and ELP was just a glint in Emerson’s eye. It’s especially odd considering his own reaction to being offered a position with Yes.
And Patrick ended up being Ricks replacement - Brian Lane was still Ricks Manager (agent) -after he left Yes -
And after Relayer, in Switzerland - when Rick wanted to return to Yes - Brian just kicked Patrick out - And Keith would have got the same treatment.
Patrick got a bum deal from Yes - but he also gave Refugee a bum deal after only one album- so. I don't have any sympathy for him. He also had a problem and a court case with the Moodies.
Was patrick just a money grabber, with no loyalty, or a genuine artist who wanted to progress ? He was certainly a talented musician. All artists want to make money .
Please comment on any of my Devils Advocate statements.
Me impresiona ver a Keith aqui..así..tan lleno de vida, tan cerca..RIP..🙏🙏
R.I.P Keith et MERCI pour tout ça ♫♪...
Thanks for two great concerts in Atlanta. My favorite album is Pictures At An Exhibition. Interesting that there were no studio recordings of that, only two live recordings.
Brilliant gentleman. Rest his soul🙏🏻
So instead he picked up the most talented young percussionist in rock history along with progs greatest voice. Good backup plan.
YES has been my favorite band since the middle 70s, with ELP firmly in the second spot. My mind boggles at the possibilities, but I think he would have been too much of featured member to blend into the background in another band. I would absolutely love to hear him and Steve Howe, my favorite guitarist, playing together. At least Steve and Carl Palmer eventually got together to form a little band called Asia.
I didn't much care for Yes's Relayer album. I'd like to take a trip to that alternate universe where Keith Emerson played for Yes, and buy that album.
I believe Keith might have been talking about the unknown group Bodast, or one of the spin-offs of Tomorrow (Canto?). The band called Roundabout had members that left to join Deep Purple, and Howe formed a new group called Canto from those people, then later he met a singer-songwriter duo and called it Bodast which is sort of like an acronym for the names of the members, Bobby, Dave and Steve. If he asked Howe to join just after O'List left, then that would have been very early Yes with Pete Banks. That seems likely, but that would have been like '69, and Howe didn't join Yes until '70, and that was I believe when Lake and Palmer were forming ELP. Squire had seen Howe with Bodast and was impressed.
+Casey Van Glad you raised that chronological issue. O'list left in 1968 and Howe did not join Yes until 1970 or possibly the very end of 1969, so it must have been Bodast or some interim band.
Yep, you are right, Steve joined Yes as late as 1970, not 1969.
I do not believe Steve would be good for The Nice because The Nice had a powerful and aggressive sound and Steve was such a gentle player.
0Casey Van
Casey Van
Yeah Keith got mixed up with what time Steve was seen.
According to Steves version of this, he thought he was auditioning for the Nice and it was the same time that he had auditioned for Yes,
So it was 1970. Think Keith then went back to the drawing board and came up with ELP.
I wanted see the joint concert with Keith and Steve.
Asking Keith to join Yes is probably the most stupid question ever asked in Progressive Rock history!!
Thanks for all the "salad" my high school girlfriend gave me. Was our secret codeword no matter where we were. Im hungry do ya have any "salad"?
Keith Emerson in Yes would have been amazing, but only within Jon's creative vision.
That would have been a very interesting YES!
That would have been some band! Best keyboard player ever in rock.
Best musician in rock, period.
Keith emerson, chris square, alan white, eddie van halen neil peart...god is putting a band together
Kinda.....in another dimension, The band is called ELH, and in another ELS lol
I like the music of Yes.
But after how they treated Patrick Moraz, I'd say it was a smart move not to accept.
Or maybe it was Chris Squire getting him back for his original poaching.
What a gentleman and extraordinary musician Keith was! Stating the obvious here, but sometimes it has to be done.
yes keith and what a band it was.......
This interview is proof that KE speaks 1.5x slower than most people.
Steve Howe Is A Splendid Choice...
Had the privilege of meeting Keith and he was as nice as could be and such a monster musician so missed!!
Keith Emerson : the history of the progressive rock and exemple for new generation. R.I.P. My best friend and company of the time.
Playback speed 1.5 for this one
I would have been interested to hear a band with Emerson, Squire and Howe.
ELP with Howe would have been IMHO the best combo of all the mixes Saw both bands several times each was masters i never put one over the other Moody Blues is in there too
I heard that it was going to be HELP, Hendrix and ELP but Jimi died.
progressive rock musicians were regarded as the symphony masters
Fastest keyboard player. Slowest talker.
He was above Yes anytime. Unprofessional manager to say the least.
Legend! 🙏🏻👍🏻