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The idea for Emerson, Lake and Palmer (ELP), began in 1969, when Keith Emerson (keyboards), known for his wild stage show in of The Nice and and King Crimson bassist/vocalist Greg Lake did a few shows together at the Fillmore West in San Francisco. Though The Nice where starting to get popular and King Crimson's `In the Court of the Crimson King,' was a huge success, some of King Crimson didn't want to tour anymore, and Emerson started to feel that he had taken The Nice as far as it would go. The two started a jazz piece at the Fillmore West in a 1972. They instantly knew they had something.

Though Robert Fripp wanted to keep King Crimson together, Lake wanted to leave but finished up his obligations by completing `In The Wake Of Poseidon.'

A few weeks later, Emerson and Lake formed a new group and immediately started to audition for a drummer. Coliseum's Jon Hiseman, Cream's Ginger Baker, and Mitch Mitchell from The Jimi Hendrix Experience were all considered.

There was even serious talks to add Jimi Hendrix to the line up. The group was supposed to work with Hendrix in August or September of 1970, but soon after the guitar legend died. It was Cream's manager, Robert Stigwood, who suggested Carl Palmer, a 20 year old drummer who had worked with Atomic Rooster and The Crazy World of Arthur Brown. The chemistry was all there and ELP was born."

"Take A Pebble" was the first ELP original song written and rehearsed. Lake developed it from a guitar line he wrote for an old song while in The Shame. The band had signed with Island Records for Europe, and an Atlantic subsidiary, Cotillion Records, for the US.

"I was given the opportunity to produce ELP ( which I did until the first break up in 1979)," says Lake. " because King Crimson had produced themselves and I had the most experience in the studio." "Knife's Edge" was written by Emerson and Lake, and one of ELP's roadies, Robert Fraser, and much of the remainder of the album were instrumental pieces that fused the band's contemporary rock trappings with European classical music and American jazz.

"Lucky Man" - written by Lake - would bring Greg Lake's voice to the forefront of the pop music scene and give the band its biggest hit. The trio made their first global debut at the Isle Of Wight Pop Music Festival on August 29th- a three day music festival.

On December 9, 1970 ELP filmed their Lyceum Theater, London performance of "Pictures at an Exhibition", though it was not released until some time later (and a DVD release in 2001), in early 1971, ELP began work on its next studio album.

Emerson, during a tour developed the "Tarkus" theme. He also picked the name and later said that the motif was inspired by Alberto Ginastera, the Argentinean composer whose "Piano Concerto No.1" Emerson later adapted to write "Toccata".

The second album, called simply `Tarkus,' was finished in February of 1971. Lake explained that: " ...it's about the futility of conflict expressed in context.. of soldiers and war. But it's broader than that. The words are about revolution that's gone, that has happened. Where has it got anybody? Nowhere."

ELP performed their first US tour, which lasted two months and thanks in part to massive radio airplay for 'Lucky Man,' the tour was a rousing success.

In June, ELP returned to Europe to play some dates there. `Tarkus,' being released is considered their finest work and skyrocketed to # 1 in England (# 9 on the US charts). A single,- "Stones of Years"/"A Time and Place" failed in the US. Refusing to be idle, the band immediately began working on its next album.

Atlantic records refused to release the live "Pictures at an Exhibition" show calling it "a piece of shit and would damage their careers." The band released it in Europe and the record was a huge hit. The album sold in America 50,000 copies through importers alone. After the album was finally released in the US, it became a multi-platinum hit.

After attending the "Mar Y Sol" Festival, in Puerto Rico, to an audience of over 30,000 people, ELP's third album, Trilogy, was released in 1972. Originally, the album cover was to have featured a work by Salvador Dali, but the surrealist's price tag of £50,000 was too high. The LP reached # 2 in England and # 5 in the US. "Hoedown", received considerable airplay on US radio stations. "It was a hard album to make," stated Greg Lake, "because it was a very accurate album. A lot of time went into it - a lot of care."

In many ways, it's one of the best albums we've done. I must say that I do look back on Trilogy with a lot of respect. There's some fine work on that album. I suppose that's true for all our albums." After touring the US, the band braved a near-riot and a typhoon during gigs in Japan.

By 1972, ELP was performing about 180 concerts a year, mainly in the US. In Melody Maker, ELP was voted Best Group in both British and International sections.

King Crimson's Peter Sinfield joined the band at the of 1972 as acomposer with Lake. The band also started their own record company, Manticore Records, to make sure they could artistically control their work.

Manticore also began signing other Prog groups including: Peter Sinfield, PFM and Banco.

`Brain Salad Surgery,'was released in both the US an England in November 1973. It was their first album released on the Manticore Records label, sported creepy art work by biomechanical/surreal artist of H.R. Giger. (Giger would later go on to design the creatures in the movies 'Alien, ' Poltergeist 2, etc.). The album's first single, "Jerusalem" , was banned in England on the radio, not taking the piece seriously. "Toccata" was adapted from the fourth movement of Alberto Ginestera's First Piano Concerto. Keith personally flew to Geneva to meet Ginestera and ask his permission to use the piece on the LP. The songs- "Still You Turn Me On", and the compelling "Karn Evil 9", with its memorable line, "Welcome back my friends, to the show that never ends... highlighted the album reaching # 2 on the charts in England and #11 in the US. ELP toured the US from December 1973 to February 1974 to promote the album with a huge stage act that included 25 roadies and 35 tons of equipment. Emerson played grand piano that rose 30 feet into the air and flipped end over end, Palmer had a revolving drum kit and the band tsrated to sport an impressive light show to enhance mood and dramatics. On April 6, 1974, ELP co-headlined (with Deep Purple) at the California Jam, attended by 350,000 people. The show was filmed. They toured the US, the UK and back to America.

`Welcome Back My Friends to the Show That Never Ends...Ladies and Gentlemen, Emerson, Lake & Palmer,'- a triple album was released in `74. The live album hit #4 on the US charts and went platinum (one of only a few triple albums to ever hit the US Top 10.)

After a restful hiatus (in which Greg and his wife gave birth to a daughter and moved to the Canary Islands near Spain. Wanting to work on solo albums, the decided to not work together for three years.

Keith Emerson started planning a piano concerto, while Lake re-grouped with Peter Sinfield and started writing acoustic songs to be recorded with a full orchestra. "C'est LaVie," and "Watching Over You," were created from these sessions. Carl Palmer began recording a percussion concerto, a collection of big band recordings made with Harry South.

In 1976, Norman Jewison approached Emerson on scoring his film- film `The Dogs Of War.' The film score never happened for Emerson, but the popular song "Pirates", was conceived from this project featuring lyrics by Greg Lake and Pete Sinfield.

`Works Vol.' Was a unique double LP concept featuring three solo sides of material and one side of ELP recordings. The album's tour included a full symphony orchestra and choir consisting of 75 union musicians (auditioned by the band from over 1,500 musicians). ELP's touring entourage included over 130 people and a daily payroll cost of $20,000 per day. Union regulations prevented the band from performing more than three shows a week or travelling over 250 miles per day. Financially with these restrictions, the band had to sell out all venues just to break even. On track to lose over $3 million dollars, the orchestra after three weeks was dropped, ELP continued on the tour as a trio. `Works Vol. II,' was released after the tour finished.

Wanting to work on solo projects and take time off (but label Atlantic demanded they produce a new studio album, as required in their contract), ELP was forced to head to Compass Point Studios in The Bahamas to record what would become `Love Beach,' their worst album. ELP disbanded for over twelve years.

Lake states- "After Love Beach ELP wasn't so much a band that was fighting," says Lake, " it was more a band that had had enough. It was a band that wanted to stop." The group announced their breakup to the press in December of 1979.. After reported record sales of over 30 million records, the members now looked to their own plans for the future.

Emerson was already in Rome composing and recording music for the movie "Inferno," (Emerson has done several scores to date including Sylvester Stallone's `Nighthawks).' Palmer formed the group PM. Lake worked solo, then joined ex-Thin Lizzy axeman Gary Moore.

Although Carl Palmer's PM only did one record and never toured, he would emerge in 1982 with Asia, a progressive pop rock super group that included Yes's Steve Howe (on guitar), John Wetton (ex- King Crimson/UK) (on bass and vocals) and ex-Buggles keyboardist, Geoff Downes. Songs like: "In The Heat Of The Moment", " Sole Survivor" and " Only Time Will Tell," were number 1 hits and Asia became a multi-platinumed success.

With Palmer busy in Asia, Emerson recruited friend Cozy Powell, (Jeff Beck Group and Rainbow), and `Emerson Lake & Powell,' was released in 1986 and began rehearsing in England for a US tour. Emerson, Lake & Powell, was a great album but failed to create the success that ELP attained. "Lay Down Your Guns," re-established them to the progressive rock audiences. After a difficult tour, Powell left the band.

During the late 1980s and early 1990s, all three members kept busy with a slew of projects. Emerson cut more tracks for a solo album; Lake cut several songs with Asia's Geoff Downes, and Palmer returned to the Asia line up for a series of tours.

In 1991, the band was asked to work on a film project, it never materialized, but a new ELP album, `Black Moon,' released in 1992 did. They toured extensively throughout 1992 and 1993, and moved to LA in late 1993 to record the follow up LP. During this time, Emerson began having problems with nerves in his right arm. The health issues would force him to have an operation on his ulner nerve, and would eventually affect the outcome of 1994's `In The Hot Seat,' which had to be recorded and pieced together in the studio. Emerson's health problems also forced the band to suspend touring. The members took two years off, and returned in 1996 for a triumphant US tour with Jethro Tull.

The ELP/Tull tour was among the best received, - and best attended - concert series of that summer. They continued to tour in 1997 and 1998.

Qango, Carl Palmer's new band, Qango, completed a very successful five day tour of the UK with the help of John Wetton on vocals/bass/acoustic guitar, Dave Kilminster on guitar and John Young on keyboards. They plaed a mixture of ELP, Asia and solo material. During the concert in London, Keith Emerson appeared on stage to jam with the band during "Fanfare." A live album was released- `Qango-Live in the Hood,' on a later show.

On the 25th of November 2000 an ELP book was published, penned by George Forrester, Frank Askew and Martyn Hanson. Rumors of a Keith Emerson/Rick Wakeman project have been heard that would involve a new studio album and a tour.

Carl Palmer's new band, simply named- 'Palmer' is toured July 2001!

Greg Lake was asked to join the 2001 version of Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band, (Ringo Starr, Greg Lake, Roger Hodgson, Ian Hunter, Howard Jones, Shelia E and Mark Rivera), they performed "Lucky Man", "Karn Evil 9" and "In The Court Of The Crimson King". On nights when Greg was one of the selected solo performers he also added and acoustic performance of "Still You Turn Me On.

`Welcome Back My Friends,' a DVD biography of ELP with various documented and rare video clips was released this year. The band has embraced the ELP format, with planned audio-enhanced re-leases.

In April 2010, Emerson and Lake embarked on a North American tour, presenting an acoustic repertoire of their work. On 14 May 2010, Shout! Factory released A Time and a Place, a 4-CD collection of Emerson, Lake & Palmer live tracks.

On 25 July 2010, Emerson, Lake & Palmer played a one-off 40th anniversary concert, headlining the High Voltage Festival event in Victoria Park, London. The entire concert was later released as the double-CD live album High Voltage. On 22 February 2011, Shout! released Live at Nassau Coliseum '78, a 2-CD set live recording of an Emerson, Lake & Palmer concert on 9 February 1978 at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York.

On 29 August 2011, Emerson, Lake & Palmer released on DVD and Blu-ray ... Welcome Back My Friends. 40th Anniversary Reunion Concert. High Voltage Festival – 25 July 2010, the film of the 40th anniversary concert in Victoria Park, London.[36] A Blu-ray and SD DVD of the concert was produced by Concert One Ltd, together with a definitive documentary of the band's 40-year history.

On 6 December 2011, Shout! Factory released Live at the Mar Y Sol Festival '72, a single-CD set live recording of an Emerson, Lake & Palmer concert on 2 April 1972 at the Mar Y Sol Festival, Vega Baja, Puerto Rico.

ELP have signed a worldwide licensing deal with Sony Music Entertainment. In North America, the band are moving to Razor & Tie.] In 2015, Emerson, Lake & Palmer changed their worldwide distributor to BMG Rights Management.

On 29 August 2011, Emerson, Lake & Palmer released on DVD and Blu-ray ... Welcome Back My Friends. 40th Anniversary Reunion Concert. High Voltage Festival – 25 July 2010, the film of the 40th anniversary concert in Victoria Park, London.[A Blu-ray and SD DVD of the concert was produced by Concert One Ltd, together with a definitive documentary of the band's 40-year history.

ELP signed a worldwide licensing deal with Sony Music Entertainment. In North America, the band moved to Razor & Tie. In 2015, Emerson, Lake & Palmer changed their worldwide distributor to BMG Rights Management.

Tragically. Keith Emerson died on March 11, 2016, of a gunshot wound to the head ruled as suicide. Months later, Greg Lake died on December 7, 2016 after suffering from cancer leaving Carl Palmer, as the band;s sole survovr.

Emerson, Lake & Palmer Discography

Emerson, Lake & Palmer ( Cotillion/ Atlantic Records 1971;

Tarkus ( Cotillion/ Atlantic Records 1971

Pictures At An Exhibition ( Cotillion/ Atlantic Records 1972;

Trilogy ( Cotillion/ Atlantic Records 1972;

Brain Salad Surgery ( Manticore/ Atlantic Records 1973

Welcome Back My Friends To The Show That Never Ends -- Ladies & Gentlemen, Emerson, Lake & Palmer ( Manticore/ Atlantic Records 1974)

Works Vol. 1 ( Atlantic Records 1977;

Works Vol. 2 ( Atlantic Records 1977;

Love Beach ( Atlantic Records 1978

In Concert ( Atlantic Records 1979

The Best Of Emerson, Lake & Palmer ( Atlantic Records 1980

The Atlantic Years - 2 CD Collection (Atlantic Records 1991

Black Moon ( Victory Music/ PolyGram Records 1992;

Live At The Royal Albert Hall ( Victory Music/ PolyGram Records 1993Return Of The Manticore - CD Boxed Set ( Victory Music/ PolyGram Records 1993;

In The Hot Seat ( Victory Music/ PolyGram Records 1994

Works Live ( 1996 on Rhino {USA/Canada}and Castle

Live At The Isle Of Wight 1970 (1997 Manticore Records)

ELP In Concert On The King Biscuit Flower Hour ( 1997 King Biscuit Flower Hour Records )

Then And Now (1998 Eagle Records )

Extended Versions- The encore collection (2000 BMG Special Products)

Very Best Of 2000 (Rhino)

Vol. 1-Original Bootleg Series 2001

Vol. 2-Original Bootleg Series 2001

Show That Never Ends 2001

KEITH EMERSON

Non-ELP Discography

The Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack

Ars Longa, Vita Brevis

Nice

Five Bridges

Elegy

Keith Emerson with The Nice

The Nice-Box Set

Greatest Hits

Nice Collection

America-The BBC Sessions

SOLO ALBUMS

Honky

Changing States

The Christmas Album

Soundtracks

Inferno

Nighthawks

Murderock

The Best Revenge

La Chiesa (The Church)

Harmagedon

Iron Man (TV)

GREG LAKE

Non-ELP Discography

In The Court Of The Crimson King ( Atlantic Records, 1969)

In The Wake Of Posideon ( Atlantic Records, 1970)

Epitaph Live 1969 ( Discipline Global 1997 )

Greg Lake Solo Albums:

Greg Lake (Chrysalis Records, 1981)

Manoeuvres (Chrysalis Records, 1983)

Greg Lake In Concert (King Biscuit Records/BMG, 1995)

From The Beginning: The Greg Lake Retrospective - 2 CD career anthology (Rhino / Castle 1997)

From The Underground: The Official Bootleg (Greg Lake Recordings Ltd. 1998)

WITH OTHERS

Emerson, Lake and Powell ( Polydor Records 1986 )

CARL PALMER

Non- ELP Discography:

Single: " I Must Be Mad" backed with/ "Suspense." 1966

Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds:

Single: "Yesterday's Papers" backed with/ "Life Is But Nothing." 1967

The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown:

Single: "What's Happening" B-side 1968

Atomic Rooster:

Atomic Rooster (Repertoire Records) 1969

PM, 1980

Asia (Geffen Records), 1982

Alpha (Geffen Records), 1983

Astra (Geffen Records), 1985

Aurora, 1986

Then & Now (Geffen Records), 1990

Live Mockba 09-X1-90, 1991

Aqua, 1992

Live In Moscow (Rhino Records), 1994

Archiva 2, 1996 (On "The Smoke That Thunders" Only)

Now - Live In Nottingham, 1997

Anthology 1982-1997, 1997

3 To The Power of Three ( Geffen 1988)