From Keith's Web site:

Emo's Memos
News from Keith

25 February 2007

Hi Everyone,

I'm most deeply honoured to be invited to Beijing, China for the amalgamation of my Piano Concerto along with The Yellow River Concerto composed by Yin Chengzong, Chu Wanhua, Sheng Lihong and Liu Zhuang. The orchestra will be The China National Symphony Orchestra.

Keith- aka Emo

Details:

An artistic culmination between East and West: An amalgamation between the Yellow River and Keith Emerson's Piano Concertos to be performed by the China National Symphony Orchestra in Beijing on March 2, 2007. Keith Emerson will also enter the stage.

Background:
At the heights of China’s Cultural Revolution in 1969, the China National Symphony Orchestra had the first performance of China’s epic symphonic work – the Yellow River Piano Concerto. As a symbol of strength and power, the concerto with both its melodic and dramatic themes was used to energize a nation. For years, it was the only symphonic piece allowed to be performed in China and still today, it is regarded as her most beloved and frequently played symphonic work.

Some few years later, in 1977, Keith Emerson composed his famous Piano Concerto No. 1 illustrating the Cycle of Nature from its joy and destruction to its triumph. Now, more than a generation later in a much different international area of openness between East and West, these compositions frequently regarded as two of the greatest piano concertos from the 2nd half of the 20th Century are amalgamated together in an effort to stimulate the Chinese peoples’ awareness and focus on its critical environmental protection challenges.

On March 2, 2007, the China National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of maestro Terje Mikkelsen, will perform “A Green Call” - the amalgamation between the two concertos in Beijing’s Poly Theater. Soloists will be China’s most talented female pianist Chen Sa and the American Pianist Timothy Smith. The concerto is synchronized with an environmental protection film in three movements, which will be shown simultaneously. The performance will be filmed by China’s Central Television (CCTV) and edited for nationwide television broadcasting. The concert will be performed again on March 27 in Beijing’s Qiantiao Theater.

At the March 2, 2007 performance, Keith Emerson will also enter the stage with the China National Symphony Orchestra where the Chinese and International audience may experience a real “Malambo”. More information about the concert will follow.

whatever happened to greg lake?

He still has an active web site where you can order some of his solo CDs. Otherwise, he's probably getting fat(ter) on his royalties.

Greg Lake played bass on the two new Who tracks from the Then & Now compliation a few years back.

I saw Asia last week and they did "In The Court Of The Crimson King" with John Wetton on vocals and you couldn't help think of Greg Lake.

He certainly has kept a low profile all these years later.

lake played bass on "real good looking boy".

pino pallidino played bass on "old red wine".

Apparently, an Emerson/Lake concert was supposed to take place last night, but was cancelled. No April Fool's joke, either -- especially for the fans who showed up for the event.

http://robertgerardhunt.com/2010/04/02/ ... -to-start/

Come Inside, The Show's About To Start...



...guaranteed to blow your head apart...rest assured you'll get your money's worth...

Last night's Lakewood, Ohio concert by Keith Emerson and Greg Lake was the stuff of dreams. I should know, for as a longtime fan of Emerson, Lake and Palmer, the prog-rock trio has literally appeared in my somnambulistic scenarios no less than three times. In one ridiculous dream from years ago, they arrived at my house for the purpose of playing a game of Scrabble on my deluxe, $500, Franklin Mint Collector's Edition board. In another, I sat on a gym floor and watched them perform to hardly anyone from mere feet away. More recently, I dreamt that I stumbled across ELP playing an outdoor set in a park, and I simply ambled up to the front of the stage. I suppose hours and hours of listening to Brain Salad Surgery and Tarkus will do that to the sleeping mind.

So when I heard that two-thirds of my favorite band were due to appear in a high school auditorium near Cleveland to kick off an unprecedented series of intimate, semi-unplugged shows, I was intrigued. It sounded like something I would dream. I checked the date and was surprised to find that it coincided with the very beginning of my Spring Break; I could conceivably head up north after school and catch the show. Then, when I got in on a fan club presale and purchased a single ticket, I was definitely excited. I would be sitting in the middle of the first row. Like my actual ELP dreams, this reality was strange, wonderful, and maybe too good to be true.
Yesterday's weather was unseasonably warm, and I sped up I-71 under a vibrant, blue sky. It was a wonderful feeling knowing that I had a good break ahead of me, and what a way to start it. The sun was still bright as I pulled into the small parking lot of Lakewood High School. Doors would open soon at 6:30, with the show to follow an hour later. I was delighted by the unconventional venue, and once again the situation seemed too good to be true. But there I was, my journey complete, ticket in hand.

A few dozen people had gathered by 6:30, a mostly older crowd with a few ELP t-shirts stretched across the ample abdomens of aging boomers. The presence of security personnel seemed almost laughable considering the mellow group that waited out front. If it weren't an Emerson and Lake show, it might have been Grandparent's Night at the high school. It was not surprising, then, that everyone took it in stride when the opening of the doors was delayed by fifteen minutes due to an unfinished soundcheck, nor did anyone seem too perturbed when a second fifteen-minute delay was announced. After all, it was a beautiful evening outside. What's more, the head security guy told us that we would be permitted to bring in cameras if we promised to not use a flash.

At last we were allowed to enter, and I stopped by the swag table on my way to the auditorium. Among the offerings were t-shirts and coffee mugs emblazoned with the curious phrase, Manticore Hall. I was contemplating the meaning of this as I passed through the doors and headed toward the stage, whereupon I was stunned to discover the very opposite of what the words acoustic and unplugged might suggest. I was expecting nothing more than a grand piano and a stool against a black backdrop. But there at stage right was Keith Emerson's five-keyboard rig, anchored at the rear by the legendary modular Moog in all its patch-cord glory. Stage left was adorned with an electric bass guitar, and in the wings the necks of five more guitars peeked above their storage unit. I had not brought earplugs, expecting not to need them, but it looked like things might get loud, indeed.

I took my seat in the center of the front row, separated from the stage by three rows of portable chairs that formed the orchestra pit, populated by those who were willing to drop $90 for the privilege, and some who ponied up $250 for the added perk of attending an after-show meet-and-greet. As I relaxed in the smug comfort of my $45 seat, I marveled at the backdrop that dominated the stage. It resembled a stone wall, with a pair of red-curtained, Gothic doorway arches at either end. Perhaps this was Manticore Hall? Most remarkable was a bay window that protruded from the center to reveal what appeared to be either a broadcasting booth or a recording studio within. This interior space featured a pair of bubbling lava lamps atop - what? - a mixing console? A grand piano?

The unexpected set and gear coupled with the fact that this was the very first night of a tour unlike any previous ELP-related efforts had the audience in a giddy state of high anticipation. When you've been a fan of anyone for a good length of time, there are inevitably performance elements that become routinely predictable. But this was wonderfully perplexing. What would they play without Carl Palmer? What would the arrangements sound like? Why all the keyboards? What's with the keyboard at center stage? What on earth is behind that window? I had no idea what was going to happen, and I loved it.

As it happened, we all had plenty of time to think about it. 7:30 came and went, not unusual for a rock concert, but the audience was primed for action. Occasional outbreaks of whistling, yelling and clapping underscored their enthusiasm. Roadies made last-minute adjustments, tuning Emerson's modular Moog and setting out a bottle of water for Lake. A mist of dry ice wafted under the lighting rig. One impatient soul in the pit barked, "Emerson! Lake! Where are you guys?!"

Shortly after 8:00, with the house lights still up, a pair of women walked onto the stage and stood in front of Emerson's rig. The younger one held a microphone, and the older one watched her gravely. "Due to circumstances beyond the control of Lakewood Civic Auditorium, the artists, and Live Nation, tonight's performance has been canceled," the young woman announced sheepishly. It being April 1st, her further words were interrupted by catcalls of "April Fool!" She advised the audience to retain their tickets and made a clarification for the confused before leaving the stage. "It's no joke. It's not going to happen." Any further doubt was removed by the roadies who immediately began to strike the set.

Already dreamlike, the evening became surreal as stunned concertgoers stood up and aimlessly walked about. Many congregated at the front of the stage, snapping pictures as the equipment was getting torn down. One roadie shrugged his shoulders as fans asked for answers and obligingly took their cell phones to take souvenir close-ups of the modular Moog. I asked a friendly security guard if he had heard the sound check, and he nodded. "It didn't sound like much of a sound check, more like they were getting things sorted out. It kinda seemed like they were still trying to put the show together."

Ah, too good to be true. There was something nagging at me from the moment I bought my ticket that it just wouldn't happen, or somehow I wouldn't be able to be there. Even as we waited for the doors to open, I wondered if the "unfinished soundcheck" excuse was valid. Once we were in our seats for forty-five minutes and the dry ice started flowing, though, I thought the dream was finally at hand.

I hesitate to speculate, but as we were given no explanation, what else can a fan do? Some wondered if the infamous acrimony between the yin and yang of ELP had reared its ugly head again. Others thought that perhaps it was due to Emerson's recurring carpal tunnel problems, which forced him to cancel a solo tour last summer. Would the concert be rescheduled? Would the rest of the tour go on as planned? Will the one-off ELP reunion in London really happen this July? Time will tell.

I try not to take for granted that anything I'm eagerly anticipating will actually happen. In this case, the habit served me well. Sure, I was very disappointed. But as I walked out into the warm April night, I thought about the collateral advantages. I would be home a few hours earlier than I'd thought. Oh, and my ears felt great.

http://robertgerardhunt.com/wp-content/ ... eStage.JPG

http://robertgerardhunt.com/wp-content/ ... eStage.JPG

That was the most pathetic thing I have ever had the misfortune of reading. This guy needs to get out of his parent's basement and stop thinking he's a writer.
While I'm an ELP fanatic I had ZERO interest in this tour and was not "giddy" and "dreamlike" like this fella. They're playing in Philly tonight I think at an actual venue not some high school which added a few hundred degrees of pitiful to that story.
The show was probably cancelled due to a crucial badminton pratice at the same time.
Chris-if you know this guy, I apologize for ripping him, but I laughed the whole time I read it! I'm glad he's proud he "only" spent $45 on a ticket but owns a $500 Scrabble board. Yeah, he wins that one!
As I had said a while back, no P, no ELP for me.

They are due to play the Vegas Hilton this summer, but I must admit I too have little interest in an "intimate evening" with Emerson & Lake. I'd be all over a full show including Carl Palmer.

DanO:
We must hope all their schedules clear for an ELP tour! I'll be seeing Asia again in September, so perhaps after that leg of dates, Palmer will be free for an ELP tour of the US?

Now I'm wondering if the Westbury show next week is gonna get canceled.

IP, I don't know the guy.

I just posted it here for any ELP fans who might be interested.

Just received this E-Mail from Keith Emerson and a follow-up reponse from Greg Lake. Not good.


LETTER FROM THE FRONT

I must apologize for the very last-minute cancellation of the show in
Lakewood, and also of Glenside and Ridgefield shows, and for my absence of
an issuance of any sort of statement.

The production we had hoped to put on was lacking in its musical and
technical preparations. I was too distraught and embarrassed to come on
stage to perform or even to announce the sudden cancellation myself, and to
issue a statement immediately. What we were embarking upon was completely
new ventures for both of us. I could not appear in front of an audience with
high-expectations so unprepared. At that particular time, the quality of
music I wished to present was more important to me than my reputation or
financial gain. I now realize fully that the decision had a devastating
effect on many including fans, my crew, staff, the promoters and the venues.

I will make every effort to fulfill our commitments to fans and friends at
the re-scheduled dates in May for the cancelled shows.

I realize that I have disappointed my loyal fans. I know that many of you
have traveled afar, used your precious vacation days, and spent your
hard-earned money just to see the show. I am very sorry not only to those
who came to Lakewood and those who bought tickets for Glenside and
Ridgefield shows, but also all fans for whom I have deep respect.

I hope you can accept us delivering good shows, starting on Monday, April 5
in Annapolis, as a form of sincere apology.

Keith Emerson
Annapolis, 3 April 2010

(Please note that this is my personal letter to my fans. An official joint
statement to be issued soon.)


The mud begins to fly:

From Greg Lake's website:

UPDATE: Official Statement from Greg Lake

To all my friends and fans: It is with great sadness that we were forced to
cancel our shows in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Connecticut.

I am pleased Keith has admitted the reasons behind the cancellation, and I
trust we can leave it at that.

The performance was ready; many of you heard or saw the sound check. Keith
and I are both perfectionists.

You will see that Keith has released a statement on his site explaining he
felt the need to cancel because of his worry that he couldn't perform up to
standard. Keith is not the first performer to have experienced stage fright,
and my heart goes out to him.

This has been a difficult time and we are now moving forward with a show we
both believe is technically and musically wonderful. The crew and performers
rehearsed non stop through February and March. I have dedicated my life to
trying to make you happy through my music and nothing saddens me more than
to see that you have been disappointed by anything I was involved in. Please
accept that these cancellations were entirely beyond my control and know
that I am doing everything possible to ensure that these shows are
rescheduled as soon as possible.

I am looking forward to seeing each of you again. I take my fans, music, and
personal and professional reputation very seriously.

Thank you for all your kindness and support.


Greg Lake
April 4, 2010

http://www.greglake.com/tour_tour.html

Oh boy, should be a very interesting night if they actually show up.

♫ Welcome back my friends to the show that never starts. ♪

Wow, this is so scary. With Argent reforming and ELP on the same setlist playing this summer in the UK I was thinking about mortgaging the house to go see two of my favorite bands this summer.

Emerson and Lake haven't always been the best of friends but actually my concern was for Greg Lake. He has put on alot of weight and if you see the Montreux DVD filmed in July 1997 you can see how he was really struggling to keep up with the others.

Now I know these shows are suppose to be "different", like an unplugged but in some cases it can even bring out more the flaws, whether it's Lake voice or Emerson's limitation of playing due to well documented health reasons. Either case this and going to the UK this summer doesn't look good.

Looks like Emerson shares my views about this tour-no interest.
No P is no ELP.
Rick-I'll go to the UK with ya-just pay for me and my wife and we're there! I promise I'll pick up at least one dinner!

Hey IP, that means a second mortgage. By the way, the UK concert I was posting about includes Uriah Heep and I know you and I share a major interest in this band.

Here's more about the show:
MUSIC NEWS - One of the more intriguing music festivals has been unveiled; UK's HIGH VOLTAGE FESTIVAL is booked for two in July, 2010 (24 & 25) in Victoria Park / London and will feature classic prog rock and heavy metal artists. And for MNN, anytime you get Emerson, Lake & Palmer (July 25), ZZTop (July 24), Marillon, Steve Hackett (Genesis), Foreigner, Asia, Focus along with Urian Heep, Heaven & Hell (Dio, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Vinnie Appice), Pendragon Clutch and Argent (with more to be announced) we take notice.

The organizers tell us there will be 40 acts on three stages, we await add'l details.

Looks like a Woodstock for Proggers.

Here's the latest news from the crazy Greg Lake/ Keith Emerson tour from Hell:

KEITH EMERSON NEWS & UPDATES
Those of you at the Annapolis show may have heard that Greg was performing with laryngitis.

This has dramatically worsened overnight to the point where he has no voice and after a visit to a specialist today,is under doctor's orders not to sing again until April 8th, Thursday at the Nokia Theatre in NYC. The doctor's decision was made at 5.00pm. We had hoped that the doctor would be able to provide a solution that would allow Greg to go on but that was not medically possible.

We apologise.

p.s.
Keith Emerson tried to go to the Birchmere on behalf of Greg and himself to tell fans face to face and meet with those who were patiently waiting and were on their way, but unfortunately there were legal and security issues which prevented him from doing so.

Naturally both Keith and Greg feel horrible about this turn of events and the Birchmere show has been rescheduled on May 9th.

- The Management


The good news? Here's the setlist:

Setlist 1st show:

From The Beginning
I Talk To The Wind
Take A Pebble
Tarkus
(Intermission)
Cest La Vie
Bitches Crystal
America/Rondo
(Q&A)
Pirates
Lucky Man

I'm sure 20 minutes of "Tarkus" with no drums and Greg's not having a voice must've been amazing.

Man, Keith needs to drop America/Rondo and best replace it with something from his new album which is excellent or maybe something from his many soundtracks.

Rick A.

Greg also got severe laryngitis in 1973 from a DVD doco I have. I am very saddened to read of the disasters ELP have had in the past few weeks after Keith had issues with his health and is now back on track.

I'm a huge ELP fan and hope the guys get back to full strength and prove they can still give us the brilliant music that has inspired me and many others.