RIP Keith Emerson

He had nerve damage in his right hand that affected his ability to play. He shot himself.

I saw them several times. "Pictures at an Exhibition" was an amazing show.

RIP.

 

Friends who were more music-savvy than I told me ELP was electronic rock based on classical music. I listened, I liked, I bought (vinyl). My mom, of course, hated rock music but loved beautiful, classical music. Mantovani was a favorite. I had to drive her somewhere and I had ELP queued up in my 8-track (yes, snicker snicker) to the right spot. I told her it was music just like Mantovani when one of Emerson's piano solos came around. She loved it and swayed to the music.
Another memory. A friend was a traditional drummer and worshipped Buddy Rich. I told him about Palmer and all of his percussion set up around him and what he he could do with it. My friend scoffed: "It's drumming, it's not gymnastics." Then he heard Palmer play and came around to appreciate him.
Great band.