Interview with Keith Emerson's Girlfriend

Dear Mr Emerson Keith

 Wow, where to start? Using the formal or familiar, how does one address who they consider to be their musical Idol? I hope I chose well.

 I suppose before I start my fan’dish ramblings I should cut right to the chase and afford you option of not needing to read on.

As a show of immense gratitude for the lifetime of music you have provided I would like to return the favour by providing you with a small sampling of music that I have the good fortune of being involved in. If you’d like to accept this gift (2 CD’s) please provide a mailing address that will ensure they arrive unimpeded and I will forward them immediately.

 And with that you are free to read on or not at your own discretion.

 Fandom

My earliest recollection of hearing your music came at the tender age of 12 in my hometown of London Ontario, Canada. I am one of those people who fall asleep much better when listening to music and one evening, as I listened to a distant Buffalo FM station on a small bedside radio, I heard what I can only describe as the most compelling sounds I had ever heard emanating from the tiny speakers. Thankfully this was a time when DJ’s would recap the name of the songs they had played even if it was list of eight or ten songs. This magnificent work, I learned, was called ‘Knife Edge’. And so my journey into progressive music and the works of Emerson Lake and Palmer began.

 Music Training

My first exposure to music performance was in the form of 10 free lessons on the accordion from a door to door ‘salesman’ circa 1966, I was 8 at the time. It was an intimidating instrument of monstrous proportions but I’d learned ‘Mary Had a Little Lamb’ by the end of the free lessons. When asked by my folks if I wished to continue I sheepishly said not really. The thought of such a massive instrument strapped to my chest was more than my wee mind could process. At 11 I took trumpet lessons for two years and while I handled the embouchure aspects of the instrument with ease, clearing the water key was kind of disgusting for a kid and the selection of tunes I had to play left me uninterested. It was about this time that I turned to what my gift of music was…listening.

 Musical Opportunity

In grade eleven, at the tender age of 16, I attended a school dance. As I entered the hallway close to where the band was playing my ears caught the sound of the music. I stopped dead in my tracks. Could it be, was it true? No way. It was unheard of. I know that song! It’s Hoedown! “That’s an ELP tune!” I said to my buddy. I raced down the flight of stairs to the cafeteria where the band was playing. Upon entering the room I was greeted by a wall of keyboards. I stood transfixed as the keyboardist performed his musical gymnastics. At the end of the song, as I clapped frantically, I walked around to the other side of the keyboards to see the rest of the band. Hmmm, ok there’s the drummer, where’s the rest of the band? I walked back around to the keyboards again looking for what I must have missed. Ok, keyboardist, got it. Back to the other side. Ok, drummer. What the hell?? Two guys? It can’t be. I soon learned the name of the band was BUSKER. A word I’m sure you’re familiar with. And they certainly lived up to the name. Steve played keys, guitar, sang and played a full Hammond bass pedal set-up. Randy played drums, percussion, harmonica and sang. Between them they sounded like a 4 piece band without the use of tapes or loops. Everything played live. I struck up a conversation with them and was soon following them to any club that they played within my ability to attend. About a year later at one of their gigs the drummer mentioned that they were doing an east coast tour and wondered if I’d like to go with them as a roadie and maybe even run their lights. Eventually they purchased a full PA system and offered me a job as sound engineer. I spent 6 years full time running the FOH board and being their full road crew. During that time Steve purchased a 16 track 1” tape Tascam recorder and we built a studio in his double garage. Eventually, as is many times the case, family and the road took its toll and the band went its separate ways.

 ELP

I’ve had the great fortune to see ELP live at least 5 times. My first chance to see the band was at Cobo Hall in Detroit with the Orchestra. I rented a 400mm lens for my camera and captured a few excellent shots. Over the years I made every effort to see ELP, and subsequently, ELPowell when they came anywhere near my area. I have met Carl Palmer twice, once during the first ASIA tour where I was able to gain access to the venue during sound check. I sat and talked with him for about 15 minutes and had all members sign my album cover sleeve.  I also met him years later at a drum clinic in Toronto. Unfortunately I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting either you or Greg Lake in person. Like many fans I have collected everything ELP, including the signed BSS cover lithograph. In fact, my folks knew how much I loved ELP and my mom actually made me a wall hanging of the ELP Pirates swords for Christmas one year. It’s a unique one of a kind keepsake that I cherish to this day.

 My Gift (assuming you’ve read this far)

As stated at the beginning of this note I’d like to send you a gift of music.  Back in 2006, after doing sound engineering for a few of Steve’s solo albums, he told me he didn’t have a project in the queue. I suggested he do a proper version of a piece he had written back in 1973-74 but that had only existed as a demo recording on four track 1/4" tape, and so ‘Northern Fantasies’ became a reality. It’s a 20 track, 40 minute suite based on Steve’s travels across Canada. The tunes are progressive, jazzy, folky and comedic. Much like Canada itself, it’s a melting pot of styles. I did the mixing, editing mastering and designed the cover for it. I’d also like to give you his classical piano album called ‘Reflections of a Mystic Land’ which I performed the same functions on as I did on ‘Northern Fantasies’.

 Epilogue

I continue to keep myself involved in music to the best of my ability. Contributing lyrics for some of Steve’s music, performing the role of Sound and Stage Manager for the Orangeville Blues and Jazz Festival and performing my most important function…listening! Whether it’s classic ELP, Keith Emerson solo/soundtrack or The Keith Emerson Band my ears are tuned to what they know best, excellence in music. And if I may say so, you have and continue to provide a degree of excellence that in my humble opinion is still unmatched today.

 So thank you Keith, thank you for providing the soundtrack to my life, for continuing to provide music of a masterful calibre and for continuing to show the world that you really are the best god damn keyboardist in the world.

 With much appreciation and may many thanks

A coroner's official says the death of keyboardist Keith Emerson, co-founder of the seminal progressive rock group Emerson, Lake and Palmer, has been ruled a suicide.

Los Angeles coroner's spokesman Ed Winter said Tuesday the determination was made after an autopsy showed Emerson shot himself in the head. He says there were also signs the 71-year-old man had a heart condition.

Emerson's body was found early Friday by his longtime partner.

Authorities suspected Emerson shot himself but the determination did not become official until after the autopsy.