Keith Emerson of Emerson, Lake and Palmer dies at 71

[khun custard]

The standard practice of my generation was to immediately change the radio station whenever Yes, Deep Purple, ELP etc. made an appearance.

Perhaps the radio never offer up to you in 3 min 5 sec (or what ever the airtime that was allowed) the real musical brilliance of these 70's bands. Go listen to; To Be Over from the 1974 Relayer album by Yes OR ELP's rendition of Aaron Copeland's Hoe Down -a symphony for the All American, rodeo ridin',red-neck!

I do sympathize with your Deep Purple comment, but look how many have happily spent their youth, staying out of trouble, living the dream, in search of those lost 3 "Smokey" cords!!

This post touches on something that happened about 50 years ago that I've never seen brought up: FM radio.

Before FM, commercial AM stations were strictly top 40 singles, dictated by certain music publications. The occasional exception would be low-wattage stations at schools (with a broadcast range of maybe a few miles) that played whatever they wanted. I bought my first FM radio in 1968 when I was 16, started hearing stuff I never would have otherwise. In the beginning it was like belonging to a secret club -- start talking with someone about the music on FM, and others would say "what the hell are guys talking about?" A lot of those bands that played Woodstock were never heard on AM radio, or were known for only one or two 'hits.' Back then I NEVER heard Jimi on AM. I remember one time my mother picked up one of my albums, looked at the cover and asked "how come I never heard this on the radio?"

Vanilla Fudge, anyone?

For those living on Australia back in the 70's, there was a long dispute between record companies and the AM radio station overthe payment of royalties which effectively gagged the later years of the Beatles and most of the mainstream hits that we remember today(it lasted for 3 years from memory).

In the late 70's there was a Monday night broadcast on ABC FM hosted by Chris Winter which opened the door to Prog Rock,Frank Zappa and everything in between.

[webfact]

Keith Emerson's death ruled suicide
By Mark Savage
Music reporter

LOS ANGELES: -- Rock musician Keith Emerson, who was found dead last week, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the Los Angeles coroner's office has ruled.

Ed Winter, a spokesman for the county Medical Examiner's Office, confirmed the death was ruled a suicide.

The keyboard player also had heart disease and depression brought about by alcohol, the coroner's report said.

Full story: http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-35806414

-- BBC 2016-03-16

[connda]

Just like Kurt Cobain.

[Ulysses G.]

Just like Kurt Cobain.

Cobain killed himself when he was young, handsome and at the top of his popularity. Emerson was old, sick and on his way out anyway. Big difference.