Keith Emerson
Now there’s a truly great musician. Porbably the most talented piano and keyboard player ever to grace the world of rock music. Or more specifically, the world of progressive rock. ELP were one of the most unfluential bands of that genre coupling technical mastery with complex and masterful writing. Although they had their fair share of critics, especially in the latter days of their performance career, they are still widely recognised as one of the greats along with bands like Yes, Genesis and Jethro Tull.
Although ELP is no longer in existence as such, Keith Emerson has pursued a solo career and this is on-going. In fact he released a new album in 2008 that marks a return to his progressive rock roots. This album was a collaboration with the guitarist Marc Bonilla. Sadly though, Emerson had a serious hand/arm injury some years ago which has re-emerged recently as a problem. In fact he has just cancelled an up-coming tour because of this. He also planned to do a tour with ELP which has also been cancelled for the same reason.
We all hope that he will once again overcome this injury and be back to playing his unique brand of fine musical compositions and keyboard wizardry in the not-too-distant future.
Photo of Keith Emerson at 2009 NAMM show in California by Synthesizers: http://www.flickr.com/photos/synthesizers/
