366| Keith Emerson (ELP)

Keith Noel Emerson was born on November 2, 1944, in Todmorden, West Yorkshire, England. He grew up in a musical family in Worthing, Sussex. Emerson began playing piano at an early age and received classical training. He was inspired by both classical composers (such as Bach and Bartók) and jazz musicians (such as Dave Brubeck and Oscar Peterson). As a teenager, he played in local jazz bands and developed his characteristic blend of classical, jazz, and experimental music.

Emerson first gained recognition as a member of The Nice, a band that introduced symphonic elements into rock music — something quite unusual at the time. Their best-known piece is America, a radical reinterpretation of Leonard Bernstein’s song from West Side Story. During this period, Emerson began developing his theatrical performance style: he played standing up, spun his organ around, used knives to hold down keys, and brought an almost aggressive, showman-like energy to his instrument.

In 1970, he formed the supergroup Emerson, Lake & Palmer with Greg Lake (formerly of King Crimson) and Carl Palmer (formerly of Atomic Rooster). ELP became one of the leading bands of the 1970s progressive rock movement. Their music combined elements of rock, classical, jazz, and electronic experimentation.

Notable albums include:

Emerson, Lake & Palmer   (1970), featuring Lucky Man, one of the first pop songs with a Moog synthesizer solo. Tarkus (1971), an epic concept album. Trilogy (1972), showcasing Emerson’s full compositional and technical mastery. Pictures at an Exhibition (1971), an adaptation of Mussorgsky’s work. Brain Salad Surgery (1973) featuring the iconic Karn Evil 9

Emerson used innovative instruments such as the Moog synthesizer, Hammond organ, and Clavinet, and was renowned for his virtuoso technique and flamboyant stage performances. He often played his keyboards with knives, struck or plucked the piano strings directly, and used the knives to hold keys down so certain notes or chords would sustain while his hands were free to do other things. His performances were more than just showmanship — they reflected his musical drive to master and challenge his instrument at the same time.

After ELP disbanded in 1979, Emerson worked on solo projects and composed film and television scores, including for Inferno (1980) by Dario Argento and Nighthawks (1981). During the 1980s and 1990s, he reunited several times with Lake and Palmer (and briefly with Cozy Powell as ELPowell). In his later years, he continued to perform, though he suffered from health problems, including nerve damage in his right hand, which severely affected his playing.

Keith Emerson passed away in the night of March 10–11, 2016, at the age of 71, in his home in Santa Monica. He was found with a gunshot wound to the head. On March 16, the coroner confirmed that the cause of death was suicide. It is believed that Emerson had fallen into depression due to the decline of his technical ability caused by a muscular condition in his right hand.

Emerson is regarded as one of the most influential keyboardists in rock history — a true bridge between classical music and rock — and he helped bring the synthesizer to the forefront of popular music. His flamboyant playing style inspired generations of keyboardists, including Rick Wakeman (Yes), Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater), and Tony Banks (Genesis).

He was also one of the first musicians to use a Moog modular synthesizer live on stage — a massive and experimental instrument at the time — and he even collaborated with its inventor, Bob Moog, to help improve the design.

His autobiography, Pictures of an Exhibitionist (2003)offers a humorous and candid look at his life and career.